slowly she turned

Last Saturday I went to the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association conference in Durham with Charlie and Walter. The workshops were interesting, for the most part, but I heard that I missed a couple of really great ones that had to do with edible schoolyards and youth projects. I enjoyed the one with Cricket Rakita about basic seed saving, and in the afternoon I participated in a very interesting discussion with CR Lawn of Fedco Seeds and others about seed patents. In a world without Monsanto, I would love to start a second life as a seed producer or breeder.

The last thing in the world I need right now probably is more seeds, but there was a seed exchange table and a couple of seed vendors that were irresistable. Fedco was not there as a seller, but Southern Exposure Seed Exchange was and SC Foundation Seed Association presented heirloom seeds for sale from the collection of Dr. David Bradshaw of Clemson University. If I had an acre of land, I would have bought a lot more of the Bradshaw collection.

I bought a packet of Willow Butterbeans, which had been in the Bradshaw family for 150 years and was selected for its slender leaf shape, resistance to Mexican bean beetles, beans per pod, and vigorous production. He said that they were his favorites. Another butterbean variety I chose for the color – Loudermilk butterbeans are about half white with the remainder a sharp contrast of spotted black. I only have 25 each of these beans but if I raise enough to share, next fall I’ll offer them up to others interested in growing and saving the seeds to pass on to others.

At the seed saving table, I picked up Choppee okra, another 150-year old variety from the Georgetown, SC area that is long and slender. A red speckled butterbean from Cricket Rakita that looks like Red Calico but he says that it doesn’t turn gray when cooked. And “Italienischer” oakleaf lettuce and “Marconi” sweet pepper.

SESE had a basket of 2007 seeds, mostly organic, for a dollar a packet. I bought:
Cosmos, Bright Lights
Zinnia, State Fair mixed colors (I missed my zinnias this year!)
Basil, Dark Opal
Cotton, Erlene’s Green (I’ve always wanted to try green cotton!)
Lettuce, Red Sails
Tatsoi
Creasy Greens
Tomato, Cherokee Purple (I swear, the only other tomato seeds I will buy will be Amish Paste or Roma.)

It was encouraging to see so many young conference attendees and the dinner was all local and delicious. My friends Fleming and Brit Pfann of Celebrity Dairy won the Farmer of the Year award. Michael Ableman gave an entertaining keynote speech and slide show. Charlie seemed to be rejuvenated and uplifted by the whole thing and I loved getting to know Walter a little better, partly because he treated me like a queen, complete with a shoulder rub in the hallway!

I had paid for and was supposed to go to the workshops on Sunday, which really seemed more interesting to me, but I didn’t go. I missed a workshop on raw milk legislation and Jim Riddle’s perspective on national organic standards, which if you have been with me for a long time, you know that I used to be fairly rabid on the subject. I did meet Jim at the dinner and shook his hand. I told him that he was my hero! (I didn’t mention along with Michael Pollan, Mark Kastel, Wendell Berry, and Charlie!)

Anyway, the conference was terrific and well worth the money spent. I will probably get more involved in CFSA and we are talking about our Slow Food convivium doing more in collaboration with them. If I can swing it, I’ll try to go to the conference again next year.

NORTH CAROLINA RAW MILK ACTION ALERT
From Ruth Ann Foster
Greensboro, NC Chapter Leader and Raw Milk Coordinator
October 19, 2007

BACKGROUND
On September 7, 2007, the NC Board of the Department of Agriculture (NCDA) adopted a rule requiring the addition of a charcoal colored dye be added to all raw milk sold as pet milk. This rule was then sent to the NC Rules Review Commission (RRC), which assessed it during the past month.

UPDATE
RRC attorney Bobby Bryan evaluated the rule and determined that the Ag Department had followed correct protocol and does have the statutory authority to mandate this rule. Therefore, it was his recommendation to the Commission that they accept the rule.

Before voting on October 18, 2007, the Rules Review Commission heard testimony from Kathy Davis, an organic pet milk producer. Kathy is one of only two pet milk producers registered with the Ag Department. Kathy emphasized the need for organic colostrum and milk for the beef industry and other farmers. She addressed the issue of protecting her organic certification and how the addition of dye would cause her product to be adulterated.

The Commission then called for a response from David McLeod, NCDA Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Communications, and Legal Affairs. Mr. McLeod reiterated the illegality of raw milk in North Carolina and how this rule was to deter its consumption. He stated that the dye chosen met organic standards. However, we have recently learned that NCDA has never contacted Kathy Davis’s organic certifier Amy Griner, despite Amy’s requests to determine the composition of the dye to give it approval.

The RRC was amused by the fact that there are only two pet milk producers in the state. Sadly, it is not the role of the Commission to evaluate the necessity or fairness of a rule. They merely follow the rule making protocol outlined in the Administrative Procedures Act.

It was obvious that the vote was a difficult one for the RRC as they reluctantly made a move to vote. The result, after a few moments of deliberation, was in favor of the rule. Fortunately, their vote does not make this rule active, yet. The Commission stated that they were very impressed and thanked Kathy for her articulate and passionate presentation.

WHAT THIS MEANS – NO DYE YET!
The NCDA was surprised by the scope of our objection, which they did not expect! Because the RRC received our numerous letters of objection, the rule has been successfully delayed for review in the next legislative session.

In May 2008, Senator Kay Hagan will introduce a bill to block this rule. If Senator Hagan or any other legislator were not to introduce a bill at that time, the dye in pet milk rule would automatically go into effect in July 2008. Meanwhile, pet milk sales remain LEGAL and require NO addition of dye.

Clearly, the NCDA’s attempt to thwart us with this rule has not only heightened public awareness but also increased support. Many have become disconcerted by the ridiculous bureaucratic efforts intended to restrict our freedom of choice. Public interest is vital for gaining legislative endorsement. Having two bills in the upcoming legislative session should garner more attention from our senators and representatives. Our work continues.

ACTION TO TAKE
Contact your state senators and representatives to make them aware of this pending rule. Refer to the talking points provided to convey your objections.
To find your legislators go to http://ncleg.net/ . On the right side bar type in your nine digit zip code.

Many thanks to Kathy Davis for her excellent testimony, and to all of you who work so diligently to make clean raw milk a legal food choice in North Carolina.

Yours Sincerely,
Ruth Ann Foster

TALKING POINTS FOR OBJECTION TO RULE NCAC 09E .0116

General
* This rule is intended to penalize people not pets.
* Raw milk is a natural food or feed designed to be consumed in its natural state. It is not manufactured.
* Addition of dye is adulteration.
* FDA estimates that only .5% of milk is consumed raw
* This rule deters NC farmers from realizing income from pet milk sales while consumers may purchase raw milk from South Carolina where it is legally sold
* There are two raw milks – one that must be pasteurized due to poor quality milk from confined animals, and the other which consumers seek from grass fed, healthy animals on pasture
* There are only two pet milk producers registered with the NCDA

Consumer Awareness
* Consumers who purchase pet milk know what they are buying. They do not confuse it with grocery store milk.
* Consumption of raw milk is totally legal
* Raw milk is legally sold retail in 12 states
* With restrictions in 22
* Sold as pet milk in 5 states
* Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and Washington require dye in pet milk
* However, these states ALSO allow raw milk for human consumption

Raw Milk Safety
* The FDA estimates there are 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths per year from foodborne illnesses
* The majority are caused by contaminated Produce, 38%
* ALL dairy – pasteurized and raw, accounts for less than 1% of these illnesses
* All pathogens reported to be found in raw milk have been identified in pasteurized milk after pasteurization
* Pasteurized milk has caused numerous major foodborne outbreaks including our nation’s largest Salmonella outbreak which caused 200,000 illnesses, 3,000 hospitalizations, and 18 deaths

Raw Milk Safer than Pasteurized Milk
* During the past 25 years there have been NO outbreaks from Listeria in raw milk
* In that same time, Pasteurized milk has caused four major outbreaks resulting in 305 illnesses and 61 deaths from Listeria monocytogenes
* The 2000 Listeriosis outbreak in Winston-Salem was associated with contaminated cheese – the raw milk tested NEGATIVE for the pathogen

No food or drink is immune to contamination.
Raw milk is the ONLY food to be made illegal.