THE IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL FARMERS AND NEW USDA REGULATIONS

The larger companies wanted a piece of the pie, so to speak, and cash in on this organic wave.  Unfortunately, the rise of industrial factory dairies and USDA regulations is causing a demise of the smaller organic dairy farms.  Factory farms supplying the large “organic” dairies allow these big companies to charge less for their “organic” products.  The family-scale farms cannot charge the same because they would not be able to survive.  And that’s why you see a price difference.  The fact is, almost all of the large companies are actually producing conventional milk by USDA standards and destroying the environment as a result.

There has been some headway on part of the organic farmers.  The new regulations previously made it even harder for the small dairies, and some closed their doors as a result.  However, there have been revisions proposed by several organizations that look a little more promising, and the USDA seems to be listening.

Following several lawsuits by private organizations such as Cornucopia, communities, and the USDA, an announcement was made on the Organic Consumers website regarding organic milk, stating:

“The Organic Consumers Association is happy to see that the USDA, with this new proposed Federal Regulation published Oct. 23, 2008, has finally decided to listen to organic consumers, family-scale organic dairy farmers, and the National Organic Standards Board, and require mandatory pasture requirements for every day of the growing season (minimum 120 days) for dairy (and beef) cattle, with a minimum requirement that 30% of organic cattle feed come from pasture.”

Even with this new regulation, there is still work to be done and changes that need to be made.  The article goes on to say:

“OCA, however, rejects the section of USDA’s proposed regulation that would allow non-organic heifers (young milk cows) from conventional farms to be brought onto organic dairy farms and then be considered “organic.”

This is totally unacceptable, given the fact that USDA regulations for conventional (non-organic) farms allow sewage sludge on cropland and pasture, feeding blood, manure, and slaughterhouse waste to animals, antibiotics, and pesticide-tainted and genetically engineered feed.

This section on “herd replacement” of the new proposed rule should read:

“Once an operation has been certified for organic production, all dairy animals shall be under organic management from the last third of gestation (pregnancy).”

Basically, the USDA would allow young milk cows from conventional dairies to be bought by organic dairies.  Once that young milk cow is bought by the organic dairy, it will be considered an organic cow from the time it is bought.

Many of the organic companies buy conventional cows.  However, the USDA does not allow these cows to be used for approximately 12 months, or until the milk is clear of antibiotics.  This new regulation allows young milk cows to be purchased from conventional dairies without taking into consideration the impact of conventional practices and it’s environment on the mother and her offspring.  Indeed, if a conventional heifer gives birth, the calf should be considered a conventional offspring because her milk is tainted.

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FARMERS

The fact is, if we do not demand the USDA to enforce stricter regulations and support for our local farmers, these small farms that produce the best quality produce, meat, and dairy products are going to die off because the American public remains in the dark.  This has been done purposely, by the deceptive, billionaire corporations who not only produce poor quality products, but treat animals inhumanely.

The consumer has been in the dark long enough!  We must do all we can to support America’s true organic farmers.

This is what nature intended us to do, eat naturally produced foods, and our true organic farmers provide this for us.  We should not support these large unethical companies by continuing to buy their products.  Do what’s right, support your local farmers.  It not only benefits you and your family, but the communities in which we live. Take a stand against these harmful companies trying to cash in by taking advantage of health-conscience Americans. They are hurting American’s health, taking our hard-earned money, and destroying the environment.

A lot of the local family-owned farms that do produce true organic products have a following.  One of the biggest reasons, other than the concern for better health, are that the buyers can actually taste the difference.  But, for a lot of Americans and their families, the truth has not been discovered, and they are being ripped off.

THE RESULTS OF THE CORNUCOPIA INVESTIGATION AND SURVEY

In discovering this information I found a list of organic dairy suppliers (listed below).  You can see the ones who claim to be organic, when in fact they are anything but.  You can also see the ones who are truly organic and provide us with the best milk or dairy products available.  Be prepared, you may be shocked at what you discover.

The following list came mostly from the Cornucopia.org website, along with information based on my own investigation.  According to Eat Drink Better the in-depth survey that helped determine this list asked these following questions (this is only part of the survey):

• the milk supply source (farmstead or open market)
• the amount of pasture time for the herd
• the use of hormones and antibiotics
• the health and longevity of the cows (cull rate)
• the source of replacement animals (organic or conventional farms)
• their organic farm certifier

This is a list of the larger milk suppliers only.  There are many great quality small farms that produce dairy products, however, farms supplying large areas is my biggest concern.  You can find a more detailed list at the Cornucopia website.

Organic Dairy Farm Grades