Okay. I've been thinking a lot lately about raw milk - not to mention other farm to consumer issues. After laughing at the simply awful (albeit very funny) song Legalize It - the anthem for raw milk activists - it dawned on me that the number of people that I know and have heard of that regularly jump on the band wagon to legalize marijuana is astonishing. Never, though, have I heard of a group getting together, discussing, or being absolutely appalled about the erosion of their right to choose whether or not their milk is cooked before they buy it.
I just felt that today, right now, this minute - I NEED TO BE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT I COULD BE ARRESTED - for selling you milk. That's right - following my bliss - milking goats - could land me in jail if I try to make a living from it.
I'm not talking commercial goat milking. I'm not talking about setting up a big business. I'm saying that if I walk out back and milk Agnes, and pour that milk in a jug, and exchange that milk for money, even with one of my friends, I COULD END UP IN JAIL.
YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.
Your rights are being eroded. Slowly they are attacking co-ops and small farms. Large scale agri-business is working hard in our government to make it impossible for you to have a personal relationship with your food. There are alot of issues on the table right now - and I feel a deep responsibility to reach out and be sure that you are at least AWARE.
I'm not asking you to drink raw milk. I'm not asking you to buy my milk. I'm not asking you to believe that there is any difference in health benefits between raw and pasteurized milk (although I believe there is). I am only asking that you look at the fact that the decision has already been made for you.
And I'm hoping that you care. And share. Because it's important. It's important NOW. This is only going to get worse folks.
