Comments (5)

By Judith, 01/19/2010 5:08 pm

Below is a copy of an email I received…. I am posting it here and I hope that many of you respond :0)

Our LOCAL Farmers need our help NOW!

KEEP FOOD REAL!

Thanks,

Judith

Dear Raw Milk Advocate:

As you may be aware, there are currently proposed legislative rules before the House and the Senate in Boise concerning Cow/Herd Share Programs in Idaho and our ability as Farmers to continue to provide these services to people who wish to use them.  There are some good parts to the proposed rules which will help to assure the cleanliness of the milk, such as regular testing of the milk for bacteria counts, etc.  However, there is one proposal which could, in effect, drastically limit the availability of raw milk from Herd Share Programs in the future.  That is that each herd would be limited to no more than three lactating cows or seven goats or sheep.

This limitation, in my opinion, is unrealistic, as it in no way serves to reduce the risk of contaminated milk; safe milk depends on cleanliness. But it does severely limit the amount of milk a single farm can produce for its boarders.  Therefore it will limit the number of consumers who can use the boarding services. 

If you agree, and you would like to help protect the right of consumers to drink raw milk please contact the legislators listed below and let your voice be heard IMMEDIATELY!

The House and the Senate work simultaneously to hear the rules. Below are each of the committee members of the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee and their email addresses:

Senator  Tim  Corder (R), Mountain Home – Chair, tcorder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Chuck  Winder (R), Boise - Vice Chair cwinder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Gary  Schroeder (R), Moscow,   gschroeder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Brent  Hill (R), Rexburg,   bhill@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  John  McGee (R), Caldwell,   jmcgee@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Leland  Heinrich (R), Cascade,   lheinrich@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Melinda  Smyser (R), Parma,  msmyser@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Edgar  Malepeai (D), Pocatello,  emalepeai@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Les  Bock (D), Boise,  lbock@senate.idaho.gov

We have learned that the representatives of the House Agriculture subcommittee that will study the rules are as follows (with links to their e-mail addresses):

Rep. Ken Andrus, (R) Lava Hot Springs, Chairman, kandrus@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Mack Shirley, (R) Rexburg, mshirley@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Dennis Lake, (R) Blackfoot,
dlake@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Donna Pence, (D) Gooding. dpence@house.idaho.gov

You can email members of the House Agricultural Affairs Committee at the following website: http://legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbycommittee.cfm.

If you or others wish to have your voices heard, you must act now! If you believe that people should be able to drink raw milk if they wish and that producers should not be limited by unreasonable low herd size limits please email each of the above legislators immediately or it will be too late to make your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Luana Hiebert
Heritage Farms
PO Box 247
Cocolalla, ID  83813
208-683-4410

When you purchase from Heritage Farms you support a local farmer, sustainable agriculture, and thus, the very environment in which you live!

Comments (0)

By Judith, 12/30/2009 3:16 pm

I had a fantastic conversation yesterday with my good friend Deborah Cameron!

We are going to move ahead with….

our dream project of a Real Food Co Op for our end of the Treasure Valley!

Boise has the Boise Co Op and Nampa, the second largest city in Idaho, needs a Food Co OP to serve the west end and central valley residents.

We are going to try for a grant and also secure pledges from potential members. This is an exciting project for both of us.

I welcome input from my readers as I embark on this journey. I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration and co facilitation… Like minded people can achieve more together than alone.

Deb Cameron had the very successful Henny Penny Market in south Nampa. She will be managing the new Co Op . Her management style is one of a team builder who has the gift of bringing out the talents of her employees. I have learned a lot from Deb over the years that I have known her. Her entrepreneurial spirit is based in integrity and a love for this community.

Deb has an eye for beauty and a passion for real food. I look forward to working and growing alongside this strong, gentle woman as we bring our dream to reality.

The Real Food Co Op will…

• Be a viable source for REAL FOOD  in the Treasure Valley area
  

• Provide wholesome food to low income people by accepting the Idaho Quest Card.

The Co Op will also offer educational programs such as….

• Eating healthy on a budget
  
• Artisan Bread baking
  
• How to prepare Grass Fed Beef
  
• Dinner from your back yard
  
• Cheese making
  
• Gluten Free Baking
  
• Raw Foods
  
• Organic and Sustainability….the truth
  
• Green Cleaning
  

And more….

To stay up to date on the progress of the Real Food CoOp become a Fan Of “Future REAL FOOD CoOp, Nampa Idaho” on FaceBook .

photos taken by me in Klamath Falls, Oregon At Night Fire Natural Foods (thanks guys)