Trautman Family Farm

No one sets out to be 'unsafe'. And there is no magical line of 'safe' - it is a fuzzy line that moves in time, based on understanding of the situation. We can be across that line by a good margin -- or hugging the line.

Our approach is one of being across the line by a good margin, yet well within the limits of practicality on the farm, vs. a large milk processor environment. Today I will give some outline to what we mean by safe raw milk.

Raw Milk Safety at Trautman Family Farm

#1: Attitude towards safety: Job 1. Each day we think safety; it is not an afterthought, it is not something we think about when an inspector is due to show up, it is a minute to minute thought about what we are doing.

How do we keep the focus? We meet regularly; monthly sit down, weekly informally, daily continuous observation.

#2: Training: I have attended the Producing Safe Dairy Products short course, I get good information from the UW Extension's Milk Quality website. There are additional resources specifically on safe raw milk as well that I am familiar with. I believe ongoing training/review is a  great way to stay focused on safety overall, and current issues.

I am our "safety officer" - which means I am responsible for ongoing education, presentation of new material, looking for possible safety issues and getting them incorporated in written documentation. Although the safety job is for everyone, one person needs be responsible for coordinating the effort. That's me here -- it really varies by dynamic from farm to farm.

#3: Documentation: We are producing documents: for training, for operation, to share. The act of writing it out formalizes practices, but amazingly puts a discipline to what you're talking about and an order. Often issues are presented in novel ways by insisting on documenting them. If you can't explain it: You probably don't understand it. (ode to teachers)

Our goal is a HACCP-like document.

#4:  Well developed testing protocols, feedback mechanisms, monitoring & check-and-balance systems.

We are human and capable of mistakes. Therefore we plan  on systems to check our own work, and ideally, immediate feedback on unsafe practices. These are situations we create:

- operating procedures with 2nd person checking. Checks & balances: Between Julie & Scott - excellent communication - and Don Warren (microbiologist and sanitation expert) & Art Johnson (former dairy fieldman & dairy process expert). We are fortunate to have these kinds of resources monitoring us and helping establish better safety systems.

For example, how can we double check pipeline & bulktank cleanliness, monitor system performance. Regular equipment checking: Ph strips for wash water, chlorine strips for sanitizing performance, visual/smell checks, identification of 'critical points' of hazard entry....all documented. Maintenance schedules. Inspections. Data such as time/temperature. Complaint log. Event log.

- documentation trail for review and learning. Telling the story of safety!

#5: Holistic nature of safety: Whole-istic: Safety is NOT just sanitation! It includes everything; the people, the animals, the farm, our customers. Healthy begets healthy. Add great sanitation and  you have a very safe environment.

#6: Healthy farm, healthy cows, conscientous farmers, healthy milk.

Healthy farm: Excellent soil fertility - nutrient managment - diversity - monitoring - attention. See our soil reports! See our organic certification inspection reports (excellent)

Healthy cows: Very few disease events (talk to my Veterinarian!), robust healthy immune systems, low stress, monitoring (or as we call it, knowing your cow's names and everything about them), healthy diet appropriate to the animal.

Healthy milk:

- Excellent job of udder cleaning,(see our milkline filters) low cow/work ratio for excellent monitoring & cleaning time. 2 milkers per operator (instead of 4 plus). Well thought through routines & roles.

- Mastek mastitis checker used daily; (seen and unseen issues)

-very little on our milk filters: there are no 'whoops' recovery with pasteurization and we know it!

- intensive monitoring of udder health via DHIA and milk pickup reports,  overall coliform count, plate count, somatic cell (SCC) all well into the excellent range. For example, 80% of our cows have a SCC of under 70,000 -- under 100,000 is considered 'perfect udder health'. Our overall SCC is around 100,000.

- monthly pathogen testing routine (salmonella, listeria, E157:H7 E:Coli, Campylabacter)

Conscientious farmers: taking great care in filling of containers, great recordkeeping, sampling (we sample whenever milk is taken out of bulk storage), sanitary practices for ourselves - and communicated clearly to our customers as well.

Producing safe raw milk products is an honor and great responsibility. We understand the liability if anyone were ever to be hurt: our practices and relentless pursuit of better safety show that. This is an advantage of the owner-operator system that can't be duplicated en-masse on larger farms or in the milk processor environment -- where they do have their advantages of scale: this is - an advantage to the small family business.

Our goal is to document well enough our entire process such that any potential customer has a clear insight into how we operate, what kinds of risks there are - so they can make a reasoned decision for themselves and their family. As of now it is a farm tour and discussion with Scott prior to any type of transaction. Where else can you get that level of knowledge? From a food nutrition label? An ingredients list? Some PR BS from the company that makes it all look like cows never poop and the sun shines twenty four hours a day?

Getting close to your food -- your farmer -- is an essential part of this, and is by its nature -- special and worthy of extra consideration.

In looking at this: You ought take away the impression we are serious about safety. We can be trusted! Our milk IS safe and we deserve every bonus in creating this quality situation.

I am thrilled to discuss particulars - metrics - of our system with anyone.

In love,

My friend Pete Hardin, who is editor/writer/passion behind The Milkweed, called me yesterday morning, to tell me "some things", but especially about an ad he placed for me in his latest issue of the Milkweed, which I just got yesterday. So here's the ad:

WANTED: Single-Axle, Bulk Milk Truck

A Wisconsin dairy producer, Scott Trautman, wants to purchase a used, single-axle, bulk milk truck in good running condition. The truck must meet applicable Grade A sanitary codes.

Surely, somewhere in some milk hauler's shed or back lot, there's an old-timer from the 1960's, 1970s or 1980s that deserves a new life patrolling "America's Dairyland"

Mr Trautman farms near Stoughton, Wisconsin (close to Madison). His number is 608-206-9798.

Scott & Julie Trautman are in a battle vs. Wisconsin's agriculture department over sales of raw milk 'pet food'. Buying a small bulk pickup truck would allow them to better line up a plant to process their milk, which is currently being dumped.

 Thank you so much Pete! For all you do. And thanks for the idea for today's blog entry -- I would like that someone out there that has one of these to understand just what we would do with that truck.

Realistically: Would like 2 -- a backup. But you'll see why.

I've contacted others that had some kind of resource like this, and they have always been too busy, into their own thing to consider any kind of sharing. Okay, fine. Welcome to the world of 2009.

Except I refuse to give into that. IF I were to acquire this milk truck -- I would find a way to share it with other dairy producers, and present and future dairy processors, to stimulate creativity and competition out on the farm.

What we have today: a limited number of really big trucks going by our dairy farms. Our case: One, that's it -- a 2nd? To the same place that has already said because of raw milk -- Dean Foods -- Foremost Farms -- not interested in us -- us uppity farmers (take note, farmers, take note).

There is a lot of interest in this consolidation in milk processors -- The Milkweed hammers on it each issue -- and I for my part, in my own small way, want to DO something to stimulate competition.

I am also going to talk (again) to Darlington Dairy Supply as well -- and anyone that will listen -- DBIC guys: I laid this same whole thing out for you and you completely ignored me. Sorry gang, but you are useless, you have no vision beyond your own job preservation, and that is really sad. You ought to be ashamed but don't even have it in you for that.

Darlington Dairy Supply sells and installs dairy processing equipment. Particularly on a small scale. There are pieces missing from the puzzle -- and some amount of scale is it. As I laid out so clearly to DBIC -- and was ignored -- it is a small market for farm-based artisan cheesemaking/dairy processing. It makes very little sense in an already busy day, and by people that are really good at MAKING milk, it is rare that they are also good at business AND making stuff WITH milk.

The answer -- the vision -- is:

1. Get the transportation thing worked out. Reasonable transportation, LIKE a single axle milk truck: I have talked further about an even more economical 'milk mover' -- which our Food Safety people like to say "NO! What was the question again?" -- you've heard me talk about that -- how destructive they are to entrepreneurial dairy endeavor (how many jobs and farms they are really costing us every day)  - that would bring 'special' milk into a regional location, economically, sensibly, safely.

2. Be able to test this 'regional location' with Darlington Dairy Supply's "Cheese on Wheels" -- a semi trailer with any kind of dairy processing built in, that is 'pre-inspected': it can be pulled into an area, and within 3 days be operational-making product. What's missing? The milk. Enough to keep it busy and paying for itself; from more than one farm. Back to the milk truck idea. The one farm one cheese on wheels? Too expensive. Not selling any. Could say -- 4-5 farms come together -- then it is really economical. What a great use for grant money even.

Hub and spoke -- at the hub this test facility -- test in a region -- what can we do here -- bring the milk in, make it into something great, market it. Goes well?

3. Build a permanent dairy processing facility -- move the mobile unit to the next location -- repeat.

What our farm has been all about: Quietly succeeding in our concepts here, until such point as the neighbors, other dairymen -- cannot help but notice how happy we are, how great our farm looks, how wonderful our animals are, and the raves about our milk: and then they get around to asking, "WHY are you so happy? WHAT are you doing?". And they really listen for a change -- really listen. And then what -- "how can I do this too?". Why, I would be thrilled beyond all imagination to tell you.

Because our dreams here are NOT about ME, our farm, it is a dream of farmers coming together in the real spirit of cooperation -- of community -- that we once had -- and were somehow talked out of -- imagine how it could grow -- first one farm, then a 2nd, then 5 -- our little area here to get a reputation once again -- "wow, those guys down by Stoughton -- they really know how to dairy -- the community supports them, they support each other -- let's see what they're doing...."

BEYOND the individual farm: NOT really an efficient unit of dairy entrepreneurialism. It has to START there -- but it becomes a force when several farms come together, bringing their talents and varied resources together. No, NOT back to the olden days: But take the best of the olden days, and combine with the best of technology and today. Like our farm.

This is NOT a new idea from me: I have been screaming this with all my might -- to DBIC -- to anyone that would listen -- it can work -- and now is the time.

So back to this single axle milk truck: It starts there. Why? Because it allows Scott to get back to work -- get our milk off our farm, even as it doesn't make great sense in the long term -- it does as a test pilot -- as a pump priming -- for bigger things. A something rather than a nothing. To get a busy guy like Bob Wills to listen, take notice. Want to participate.

You there -- bulk truck owner -- old-timer as Pete puts it -- dairy -- family dairy farms are not dead, they are alive -- and we have this opportunity to be a part of the New Golden Age of Dairy -- and you can be right here in the lore of it -- the place it started, with one Single Axle Bulk Milk Truck.

What would that be worth to you? To Wisconsin dairy? To all of Wisconsin? The world? We'd all like to know.

Scott Trautman, Proud Wisconsin Dairyman and Citizen

PS: The page that the milk truck picture came from DeLaval: pretty cool

I am a guy. And guys, it seems, like history. It's a generalization of course, but I'm sure The History Channel could show its demographics. Now, guys, has this necessarily made us any smarter? Well, maybe not. But boy can we be fascinated in front of a good war documentary. Lift your glasses, guys, booyah!

The thing is, though -- if you're a history major, and wondering exactly what you're purpose in life is -- what job there is for you -- is to learn from history; to not make the same mistakes. In the understanding of the good of the past -- and the stuff we read so much more about -- the bad -- what can we learn from it and apply to today. I would humbly submit we do far more enjoying of history than learning from it.

Steve Ingham (head of Food Safety, DATCP) has what will prove to be this raw milk movements favorite quote of all time. Sorry Steve, but there just isn't a way to do this without it looking this...not good way. We are very appreciative you made it -- and you believe it. Unfortunately, I could spend literally hours talking about just this statement, in about 20 different ways.

I was sitting down yesterday with one of my favorite people in the whole world. I hope you'll look back at my earlier postings -- before this raw milk war heated up -- and see a posting about Richard. He's a bachelor farmer, he's in his sixties, he never milked more than about a dozen cows, he's done quite well in time, but even he would admit he's an anachronism in today's world. And he wouldn't use a big word like anachronism, either. He'd say it so everyone understood it.

Please honor Richard and read my posting about him; I won't give all the details here, only what I feel is important to this story. I love Richard, we've gotten to be good friends, and I respect him so much. He loved -- and loves -- his cows. God's work yet again that I found him; well before we were really interested in dairy, I had a compulsion from an ad in the paper, I had to call him. Anyway -- he ended up selling us many of his cows. He desired to stay in contact -- I was all for that -- and because of that, we've learned so much from Richard, that is now incorporated into how we dairy. And too, Richard has learned from us.

Richard is the everyman farmer: The quiet, the hardworking -- the kind of people that when the government says this, he does this. If the vet says that, he does that. Like so many people have always done. It takes a lot for him to get upset, and he like so many tend to their own business most of all.

Richard came out yesterday and we were sitting around the table, and as we do a lot, I asked Richard about the past. It came around to why -- why 50 years ago did we come to these pasteurization laws -- did it really make sense then? We often have to ask ourselves what was going on -- what was the context then. When Steve Ingham says "there have been pasteurization laws on the books for 50 years, there are reasons for that" -- he wants you to stop right there. But me -- I want to know. I hope you want to know.

Back in the late 50's -- he told me they had one of these home pasteurizers. Everyone did. They were told they needed them. Here are dairy farmers -- being told to pasteurize their own milk. In his case, they did -- everyman does what they are told, even when there is this nagging lack of congruity. They'd been drinking raw milk from the tank all their lives. No problems there, now they come along and say heat it up before you drink it, well, as Steve Ingham puts it, there must be reasons for that. So they did -- and yuck, the milk tasted terrible. Yet they did it -- until the thing's heating element burned out, and it went in the junk heap, and they went back to drinking from the bulk tank -- out of convenience rather than thinking too much about it.

That left me thinking about just why -- what was going on then -- what was the context - that this was such a perfect solution, to what problem?

First, whoever was selling those home pasteurizers -- what a modern marvel that was -- you know how that's going to go, right? You NEED this, not, you MIGHT need this, and wow what a way to sell something -- you could DIE if you DON'T. Don't ask whether this applies to you, that's a real small market -- EVERYONE needs ONE. Think of THAT market.

That's only a really small part of it though. A sidenote, that adds some color.

Those of you that were adults during the post WW2 period. The new age of technology -- think of the flying cars, the space travel -- how technology was going to solve all our problems, we dreamed big dreams and it was going to be a wonderful future. And -- better living through chemistry, right? Every problem had a technological solution; every life inconvenience could be solved with a gadget, or a product or process. Efficiency, streamline -- progress.

All the chemicals - plastics - came into society -- marketing really took off -- TV -- this was some golden age -- no problem was beyond being solved. Yet as a counterpoint -- Sputnik -- the Red Menace -- The Iron Curtain -- The Korean War -- The Bomb - this huge fear -- things we could not understand and we needed to make sense of them. Fear of things we could not see -- germs. Wow did science tackle every problem. And we did "solve" those immediate problems -- with chemistry -- with products -- in our naivete thinking there wouldn't be long term side effects. It fixed the problem now -- in our arrogance and pride -- we -- man -- are so smart, we have solved the world's issues, and did it make for a great economy.

Everyday people -- living in fear -- bomb shelters -- communists around every corner -- McCarthy -- and fear from germs -- what would they do to us? We can't even see them. Science was catching on -- but so much scary stuff we could only imagine.

So take us back to the farm -- what was happening there in the late 50's -- the same things. Technology, industrialization, growth -- yet we saw problems along the way -- things we couldn't quite grasp in the larger picture of things, but boy did we have easy solutions for the now. Greater rates of mastitis? Antibiotics. How could that be bad? In the milk? That's probably a good thing for everyone! And then we get to pasteurization: what a simple solution, it seemed to take care of EVERYTHING, no matter how terrible the problem -- it solved it all. Did it? No more than anything else, but as we moved forward -- pasteurization wasn't high on the list. We had so many more pressing -- more obvious problems that needed to be revisited. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, looking at our chemical use. But we never did get back around to pasteurization, to look really closely at what long term societal effects it had on us. Homogenization -- what a nifty technological solution for the housewife for her family, right? No shaking up the milk. Safety -- this is safe milk here, it's been pasteurized. Every responsible mother wants safety, right? Pasteurized, homogenized for your protection. Sells a lot of milk -- and fit right in with the industrialized model.

Along the way -- it became yet another good way to keep farmers in their place. You need us dairy processors -- look here what good has been done, you're not against safe milk now are you?

We can get really wound up in conspiracy; and not as though there aren't, but I try not to give into it. By what understanding of culture -- of history -- can we come to some sense as to why things are as they are today. Pasteurization seemed to work. No one was all that interested in looking at it any other way, it sure didn't seem to be a high priority problem -- so we didn't. And it worked well for those that were in the business to market products -- but ultimately against people that aren't about marketing products, farmers.

Our everyman -- our everyfarmer here -- Richard -- did not stop pasteurizing his own milk because he researched the issue, he did because his pasteurizer broke. Neither he or any other everyfarmers questioned much further, they had work to do, and they trusted the government -- the university -- to tell them what to do, and they did it, even though it ultimately has meant for their destruction and the benefit to others.

Here we are in 2009: and I can guarantee you a Steve Ingham has gone out of his way not to learn the truth, and how many he hurts in his ignorance -- willful as it is  -- how sad it is-- but know the truth will out  -- and we will look back at this time and wonder why did we listen to people like him when he made so little sense. It will be obvious when we are in the future looking at the past.

You cannot tell me that nature got it wrong. That only man can fix nature's imperfection? That kind of arrogance has brought us to the very edge of destruction of the entire planet. This is but one small example. Let's fix the problem, not solve the symptom. WHY does ALL milk need to be pasteurized? It doesn't. But if milk does need to be pasteurized -- you'd think an otherwise smart guy like Steve Ingham would have the courage and thought of his fellow man at heart to go find out why. Sadly, he won't, and more farms will be exterminated for his ignorance.

As always -- forever -- Proud Dairyman from Wisconsin, Scott Trautman

Well this is certainly long overdue.

But isn't that just that way -- those that do the most, that hold it all together -- that do the real work of -- everything -- don't get the credit they deserve. The accolades, the attention -- goes to knuckleheads like me -- the ones out talking.

But who milks the cows when I'm on the phone now almost every moment of every day? Who fills the meat orders for customers? Who feeds the kids and makes sure the homework gets done? Who makes sure the calves have feed and pasture and are all looking good? Who makes sure Scott isn't being an ass?

My wife Julie of course. And every one of you needs to know that the source of any strength, anything I have that is good -- comes from her quiet strength. We are Team Trautman: and although my role might be in the "vision" department, Julie is in "operations", and we all know "visions" without "operations" is "damn foolishness".

So let me tell you about Julie, and how very blessed I am that she would be here by my side to share this life.

Julie and I met -- at our 10 year high school reunion, in 1992. (you do the math) We  had gone to the same high school - even the same college, but had different paths. It shouldn't surprise anyone that I was more of the geeky sort. But she was always nice, and said hi, but we didn't talk -- until this reunion. Why there? God. That's why. But we had some sort of connection -- she was out in Seattle, me in Milwaukee at the time, and over the next year, we talked long distance, I visited her, she me -- and we decided to give this a shot. And of course that didn't mean me move there -- but her move here. And then within six months I made her move again, this time to Madison, to follow my career at the time.

We married in 1997, she was working -- supporting our household -- while I was building an Internet business. By 1998 our first son was born, Ian. In 2000 our second son, Quinn, was born, and in around that time we decided to start looking for a farm. Not to farm, but as a "guilded cage" - for me -- in my Internet work work it seemed I could not leave without some bizarre thing happening that only I could fix.

It took us quite a while -- and Julie was the organizer, she would have her stack of listings -- and we would drive on weekends to see farms. And eventually -- me having resisted this particular farm we are on - for 6 months -- but Julie refusing to take it out of the pile -- we looked in this north window into the house -- and we both knew this was it, this was our farm. We moved in on May 16th 2003. I know this because it was our first Stoughton Syttende Mai, our local celebration of our Norwegian heritage.

There was quite a bit of unhappiness from me from the Internet business; a lot of that weight born by Julie -- and my children. We farmed on a very small scale, learning so much, making small mistakes, learning what we liked and didn't. In 2003 our daughter, Lilly was born: the first to live all her life on the farm. And in 2004 I sold the Internet business, and we dedicated ourselves to farming 100%.

Every family eases into a comfort zone in their 'roles' - every family is different. And there has sure been discomfort in the settling into those roles, and they still change. They may be changing again soon, depending on how this whole raw milk situation works out. But throughout our history together -- Julie has stuck by my side, and been the yin to my yang, my muse. So much different than me -- not better, or worse, but different, and so full of love, and patience -- and humor. I can't forget her humor -- we laugh so much around here -- I am a total goofball -- but Julie is REALLY funny because it's not all the time -- it's a goofy look here, a silly comment there.

I am a dreamer. A "big ideas" person. Will it surprise anyone that not every idea I have is a nugget of gold? Perhaps another kind of nugget? If left to my own devices, I would follow some of these less than gold nuggets. But Julie -- has the critical role of sense-maker. Scott, we both know I'm going to end up DOING this, WHY should I agree to this? So then I think about it some more, and we argue about it -- and ultimately I do make a case or it gets dropped. We figure it out together.

This farm was my dream -- not Julie's -- and as I like to say - if I had sprung all this on her -- how life would be -- she'd have long since run far far away. But we took it slow -- proved it all to ourselves. Dairy is a great example: Scott: "Let's milk cows!". Julie: No!. Scott: C'mon, just one cow, I'll milk her, we'll drink the milk, it'll take 20 minutes a day (along with other details she would make me tell and prove). Okay -- 1 cow. And that worked. "How about 4 now?". Julie: No. Scott: Here's the plan....

So now today we milk 25 cows -- and like yesterday -- Julie milked 23 of them while I was on the phone to umpteen people, serving in my role -- that both Julie and I understand is necessary -- to win this war Food Safety and DATCP has on family farmers - she quietly, without (much) complaint, does her work and mine -- knowing that is how it has to be for now, yet again her quiet strength.

Okay men -- time to thank your wives. Maybe it is gems and jewels, or like Julie -- this year she asked for a single axle milk truck for her birthday - thinking family - to save our dairy. 2 years ago? It was Shem our beautiful Jersey bull. Yes, folks, I am a total clod of a husband and deserve a beating. But in the farm families I know -- this is common -- the strength of the whole family turns on the woman of the family - the men are all self-important, and we think we run the show, and we're all about this "vision" or whatever self important thing we think we are -- but it is our wives that have been throughout time -- been the strength, and what gives our farm its life - its personality - brings us our success -- and most importantly our happiness.

Thank you Julie, thank you to every farm mom - farm wife -- FARMER out there. Without you there is no life on the farm. God bless us all, and let's take that time to tell your wife just how very important and loved she is. And for criminy sakes, give her a day to herself every so often.

In love,

Scott Trautman - Proud Wisconsin Dairyman - Citizen -- and at least adequate husband and father.

Evil is as strong a word as one can use. It is not a word I, or anyone else should use lightly. I have avoided it a long time in this situation -- hoping against hope -- that Steve Ingham, Cheryl Daniels, Tom Lietzke & Jackie Owens would find "better data" -- reconsider their position -- and what it means to Wisconsin -- and find a way to work more sensibly.

They have not, they will not, and they have to go, period.

They understand what they do -- and they with purpose and malice misrepresent the Raw Milk situation -- while it is in their professional responsibility to understand the situation and make sensible decisions -- if it is for the benefit of the whole of Wisconsin, rather than whatever personal agenda they might have.

In this situation -- and others like it -- most especially as it relates to dairy farmers -- it is about the application of unfettered -- unobserved -- power over good people in order to exterminate their will and desire to survive and grow. Why dairy farmers? Because they can. The bully bullies those they can -- not those that can defend themselves.

Food Safety does not like me one tiny bit and has shown every indication that as I speak out and shine the light on them -- they will find a way to silence me.

Just this last week: When I was apparent to them I wasn't going to take their "deal" -- it was brought up -- how even should I desire to simply ship milk -- that getting my Grade A license back was "going to be a problem" -- that my parlor was unusual and "just so I knew" -- would need to be reinspected and I ought to have a "heads up" that additional work might be needed. This even though the design was approved, my facility inspected now 4 additional times with no complaint.

When asked about that -- why -- their answer about the inspector -- the inspection -- "a training issue". So the inspector has a training issue -- and what an interesting conversation that had to be with that inspector -- that training issue is going to be a job search issue if he didn't find a way to continue to harass us. Interesting conversation the Food Safety goons had with this inspector, Food Safety having never seen our facility. How does the conversation go -- to find this facility problem -- when all inspections were cleared to this point. The question has to be asked -- "how do we get this guy -- what can you think of that we can hold over this guy -- to let him know that continued resistance is going to mean untold pain for him". There is no other logical, reasonable explanation. Yet given Food Safety's comfort with lies and manipulation, somehow -- like this "training issue" -- they will find some way to extract a reason that someone's going to buy.

Multiply this across the state of Wisconsin. Others -- innovators -- that would try and better themselves, to find this incredibly obstructive group of people. Think as an entrepreneur does: these people are going to double the cost of my project and leave it in uncertainty. Do I really want to risk that? How much innovation -- how many jobs -- how much of our dairy future for small farms has been crushed forever by these people, in their power that clearly is not overseen by anyone that really understands? Huge.

Dr. Kenneth Petersen, an assistant administrator with USDA Food Safety -- speaking to his responsibility -- responsibility -- "I have to look at the entire industry, not just what is best for public health". So what was he talking about? This disgusting ground beef situation -- where this terrible situation is created for a probability of large scale food-borne illness, he is looking at the big picture. Including a Wisconsin plant that produces an ammonia treated meat paste found in this disgusting mix.

Yet here we are in Wisconsin -- with our Food Safety surely claiming they are looking out for all interest -- yet somehow manipulating this situation to leave people believing that Raw Milk is a huge threat. It is their JOB to understand the level of threat -- and no objective investigation of raw milk can conclude that there is imminent danger to a massive outbreak. And "the industry" -- in this case besieged family dairy farmers struggling to survive -- they view this only as a strategic time to attack -- to get to the least amount of resistance. Sick is what it is.

Food Safety has manipulated the Zinnicker situation -- a tragedy where it is alleged -- and for purpose of argument say it even was -- the cause of 35 people becoming sick - to leave in your mind -- the public -- that ALL raw milk is UNSAFE at ALL TIMES.

They go out of their way -- irresponsibly -- with malice in mind -- to NOT address just how many people drink raw milk in Wisconsin on a daily basis. Best estimates are about 2% of the population. Then how much news is this story? Is it the same story as Food Safety's press release? Hardly. It becomes what it is -- their propaganda campaign to eradicate family farmers at a time of incredible vulnerability.

The Zinnicker press release -- was sent to every Organic Valley farmer -- and every NFO producer -- I being a former NFO producer -- cancelled supposedly for suspicion of selling raw milk -- to spread fear amoungst all their dairy farmers. There could be no other purpose.

This is why they have to go. They DO understand what they are doing at Food Safety -- and they do not have the public's interest at heart -- they appear to have big milk processors interests alone in mind -- and to this point they have gotten away with murder -- the murder of untold family farms, an extermination they continue.

So let us talk about Zinnickers: Upon my superficial review, if Food Safety and the state of Wisconsin provided us with sensible guidance, this situation may well have never occurred at all. It wasn't mentioned -- funny that -- from the press release by Food Safety -- and apparently not questioned by any reporter - that they have been providing raw milk for 20 years without a problem. Even, from that day -- 35 people sick if you accept that -- what percent of the people from that day? They serve a large number of people. Also understand that those that choose to drink raw milk would also be likely to make similar other food choices.

Yet understand this clearly: In ANY investigation of food-borne illness, upon reaching the question -- and reply to the affirmative - of "Do you drink raw milk?" -- the investigation for a cause is then over.

Anyone sick is always a tragedy. If there were preventable causes, then we need to look at those causes and look to prevent a future problem. But not with raw milk -- Food Safety keeps repeating the lie over and over again: Do not drink raw milk. This war they have going against family dairy farmers did not start AFTER Zinnickers -- it was started BEFORE -- in April in earnest -- but seriously with the hiring of Steve Ingham.

Jackie Owens is quoted at an interstate milk shippers conference saying "we are glad to have Steve Ingham as head of our department -- so we can finally get aggressive against raw milk producers". That quote is inexact -- funny, Jackie Owens refuses to tell me the exact quote, like so very much more they refuse to answer. They just continue to attack family dairy farmers -- and spread their fear and hatred far and wide. To leave it in the minds of everyone that raw milk is something to be feared. Especially heinous is that "a lot of kids were made sick". Very emotional -- and their RESPONSIBILITY is to be ABOVE emotional and deal with FACTS and the big picture, and be responsible for allocating their time towards the most important issues of public health.

Raw milk is to be respected, like all foods. And it does have its own special circumstances that need to be responsibly looked at. We -- in unity of purpose -- safety for all -- need sensible people at Food Safety, not these people who have their own agenda and will say and do anything to get it done, for whatever sick reasons they do.

I have begged. Others have begged. Others have been crushed and gone away -- looked elsewhere to innovate and grow Wisconsin dairy - beyond Raw milk -- the whole Artisan movement -- that has been artificially squelched, kept smaller than the hearts and will of a creative and energetic force of talented people would have it.

Rod Nuelstein knows what Food Safety is doing. He approves of it. He needs to go. He does not represent the future, or the present of serving people -- he and Food Safety represent tyranny and fear. Governor Doyle, hear us, look into this thoroughly -- do not believe their smiles and condescending words. Understand we need forward thinking -- decent human beings -- that will work WITH us instead of applying power against us, in unity of purpose to have the best in mind for all people, instead of whatever terrible agenda they have.

SEE what happens -- see how we grow Wisconsin family dairy farms -- dairy industry -- innovate -- create jobs -- with a group up there that lives the intent of the law -- and doesn't use the law to express power over the powerless. We need it NOW.

Where I ask for education - Food Safety says trust us, do not look further -- fear. Replace them -- save family dairy farms NOW. It is within our power to start this TODAY. Fire Steve Ingham, Cheryl Daniels, Tom Lietzke and Jackie Owens. Replace Rod Nuelstein. Wisconsin cannot afford their tyranny. When you do -- only then will you start to hear the horror stories of what their regime has meant to Wisconsin. Anyone under their boot lives in fear -- of what they will do -- how they will use their powers against anyone that would dare question them, like me.

Scott Trautman, PROUD Wisconsin Dairyman and Citizen

Well now I've done it!

I spoke yesterday in front of an attentive and enthusiastic audience at the Dane County Farmers Market, and I dumped a symbolic amount of our precious, beautiful milk.

That milk that I dumped -- could be the most valuable milk ever not drank, not made into a dairy product, ever in Wisconsin. If it leads to a good raw milk bill in Wisconsin, that will save family farms. If it causes people to think -- especially those that do not know about -- or even do not desire raw milk -- to consider that this is about people's ability to decide for themselves, and saving family farms.

My good friend came up to me afterwords and asked, so where did that come from? (my speech)

My simple answer: From my heart. No memorization, no cue cards. I have been building to that moment all my life, and as I have changed and grown, so my words come together and touch people, with their truth, with their sincerity.

I am the guy Food Safety really needs to silence -- to shut down -- to exterminate -- because I do talk sense. I am no reactionary, I am not thinking of only myself, I have done my best to think of us all in this: That we need our family dairy farms desperately - and here is this thing we can do, safely, now, to save them. That I am the guy that perhaps can bridge the gap -- even the gap with the powerful milk processors -- and make even them see we need our family dairy farms -- we need incentive to keep them here, and happy, and productive -- and that us having this small thing we can do -- is not a threat to them or anyone else. In fact, in time, we will all come to see what a beautiful thing this can be.

My oldest son ran the camera for me; and I wanted him there to see just what his dad was about. What he was capable of. Think of the lessons he took from that. Stand up for what's right. Have courage in life. Be willing to take risks, and most of all, be true to yourself. All this I do? I do for him, not me. For all our children of a future world of our creation - that we can make better by acting in courage now.

Gary Hebl: I am disappointed in you. I know you to be a better man and representative than the comments you made yesterday. Educate yourself. If you won't -- if you insist on your ignorant statement -- then how about you show courage -- and you go out to farms that you will be a part of destroying -- a dairy heritage we can ill afford to lose -- and you tell them -- I'm sorry -- but you have to go. You aren't good enough to produce healthy milk. Will you have that kind of courage, Gary? Have the courage of your convictions -- and educate yourself. I will hand deliver a very sensible book to you -- "The Raw Milk Revolution" by David Gumpert - and you have Food Safety hand deliver their FDA Slideshow showing what a scourge raw milk is as well. And then you decide based on facts and not politics.

I am drawn to know more about Fighting' Bob La Follette

And others who's convictions compelled them to acts of courage, even in the face of easier choices, that benefit ourselves in the now - but betray our future. Love your children - love your fellow man - love above all yourself -- and have the courage to build a better world, one small piece at a time.

The time for sensible raw milk is right now. We need leaders who understand the importance of family farmers to our future.

Who will answer that call?

In love and respect,

Scott Trautman: Proud Wisconsin Dairyman and Citizen

Anyone wonder what the heck I was saying yesterday? You know what, me too. This is all so complicated -- and it does involve way more than just the farm itself and its survival. How do I see and act in the many roles I serve in. Messy. Complicated. No simple life here I'm afraid. Onwards!

 I have had the great pleasure of speaking to David Gumpert. He is a thoughtful person -- well regarded everywhere -- and he has championed and documented our cause with great thoughtfulness.

Solutions to so many problems: EDUCATION. The more we really know -- and throw out reactionary, easy, simple things to think about -- the further we get in society as a whole, right? The world is coming around to all these big issues of sustainability, and it is through education. No, not simple. Messy. As clear as we want to think everything is: It isn't. I have been and continue to try, in my own life, and own message, to strike a balance. One that may end up getting me disliked by...everyone. But there's now -- and there's future -- there's what we can do now, where we can head in the future. EDUCATION, and getting people talking -- to each other -- thoughtfully -- bravely -- is going to be what makes the difference. Not screaming at each other or just meetings of like minds.

SO: I will state my case here now for a simple act of education on your part. Yes you -- dear reader -- you. Today. I do not want your money. Don't believe anything I say. I'd like you to get ahold of -- purchase, borrow, check out -- whatever  -- a book that looks at this RAW MILK situation, and I'd like you to make your own conclusions. It is important in the grand scheme of things.

The Raw Milk Revolution by David Gumpert

Easiest: Buy from Amazon or like. Today.

Better: March into your local bookstore, and ask for this book. No, don't go to the shelf, even if it is pasted to the forehead of the person there, ASK for it SPECIFICALLY. Should a dialog start; GREAT. See what starts here with that?

BEST: Buy that book locally -- read it -- educate yourself -- then pass it on to a friend, and tell them why this is important, and now. Make sure they read it -- and if they aren't starting it, get it back and pass it onto another. Repeat. Ask them what they think. That book sitting on a shelf is only so much potential energy. Make it the most read book.

INCREDIBLE: What if our legislators were each to have a copy of this book? Passed on -- personally -- from a constituent, along with a thoughtful letter. The time for that in Wisconsin is very very soon.

There is nothing simple about anything -- but there are aspects of this whole RAW MILK debate that are -- and can be simply put to at the least get people thinking. My version of that is this:

Milk from the cow: Are we sure nature got it wrong the first time? Maybe we humans got it wrong? That all milk is a biohazard to be fixed by humans makes no sense. Healthy cows, healthy farm, healthy milk.

We need your support of our farm -- we are sure in need -- but we need your help on getting RAW MILK LEGAL in WISCONSIN even more.

This quote -- think about it - and what is said about Raw Milk -- crazy stuff -- think about the bigger picture:

 "Every age, every generation has it's own built in assumptions - that the world is flat, the world is round. There are hundreds of hidden assumptions, things we take for granted that may or may not be true. In the vast majority of cases, these conceptions about reality -- which belong to the prevailing paradigm or worldview - aren't accurate. So if history is any guide, much that we take for granted about the world simply isn't true."

- John Hagelin, PHD, from the wonderful book & movie, "What the (bleep) do we know".

All in love,

Scott Trautman, proud Wisconsin Dairyman and citizen

You cannot keep me down.

To keep me down -- you'd have to convince me no one cared. And I can clearly see that is not the case -- that more people every day care -- and they seek us out.

And to believe the world is a terrible place: One reacts to that in a non-constructive way. There are terrible things, don't get me wrong -- but people are good and decent -- just underinformed and not ready for certain things. That's all. And they'll get there -- too -- but not on my schedule of needs. All I can do is do the best I can in getting my message out there.

So many friends! How can I feel alone with the encouragement of all of our old and new friends. Thank you from our hearts, it is you that is the fuel of our courage.

I may well get to be friends with a couple people I count as heroes-- innovators, people like me that shake things up. People like us are always going to rub the status quo people wrong. We ask questions -- they answer because "that's the way its been" - time and momentum itself are truth.

I met Joel Salatin at the 2007 Grassworks conference, his talk was the highlight of that entire experience; although Cheyenne Christianson spoke -- another hero -- and Abe Collins spoke -- yet another. I remember so well Joel's first words -- it was straight to my heart -- it was about imperfect is okay when we are talking about our kids and their participation in our work. Don't turn them off by insisting on perfection. I have taken that message to heart. I took several other ideas from that short talk, too -- but the most important was one word: Evangelist. Joel considers himself an evangelist. Hey! Now I have a word for what I am. Me too! And from that moment, I worked that word over in my head, and fit what I was doing into it; like trying on a new pair of pants. How does it feel? Well, maybe a little loose--big pants to fill quite yet. Alright, then let's grow into them. How to grow into them? Educate myself. Gain more experience. Really listen: Find humility in my life and send the arrogance away. Well then: the pants are fitting better, and what do you know -- the crowd is getting bigger, more are listening.

I don't know exactly when things changed for me, and it went from just about my farm to being about all the farms and all the people of Wisconsin. Maybe it was looking at my children, and knowing how much I really could do about their world -- more than the excuses we all give --

But the truth is this farm changed me. My beautiful soils, so lovingly and patiently restored over the last seven years, and my magnificent cows - each a wonder of God's all creation. This farm, and everything we've experienced -- including this challenge -- have shaped me into someone that thinks not about myself, but us, and not about now but the future. That is a true farmer -- and citizen of the world. There is no going back, there is such pleasure, satisfaction here. We are making a difference, and the rate of change, of making new friends that believe as we do is accelerating at an exponential rate --

My wish is only to be seen by my state, Wisconsin, not as the scourge Food Safety needs me to be, but as someone that is wanted here -- needed even -- that for nothing else, we need some fresh thinking here because what's going on is not working. There are solutions -- sensible ones we can do right now. This Raw Milk thing is but one piece of this puzzle.

Patience. To be happy, to be healthy, to refuse to live in fear -- like in fear of my own milk - like they need us to be -- well that is the most radical and helpful thing I can do.

So ends today's sermon, other than to deliver on a previous promise of the world's most simple explanation of how the Raw Milk Laws of Wisconsin work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dym82i7LDeIo&feature=3Dplayer_embedded

Keep those (I mean emails) cards & letters coming, it is YOU that is giving ME strength.

In love and humility,

Scott Trautman, proud Family Dairy Farmer in Wisconsin

It was about 2 weeks ahead of what we thought, but as usual, Team Trautman got the job done and got the hens situated in the hen house. Some times it seems it's just as well for us to have it happen all of a sudden. Things get done.

Eggs for the next two weeks will be $4/dozen. After that, $4.50/dozen. Why cheaper right now? These will be standard issue organic eggs for now until the gals get out on the grass and the egg quality goes from good to awesome.

How we do eggs --

We buy what are called "spent hens" from a local organic laying operation. They supply Organic Valley. The way the commercial operations work, is pullets (young hens, girls that is), start laying at about 6 months old, and by about 16 months old, they are ready for their first molt, a molt being when they lose most of their feathers (they look pretty rough that's for sure), but important to the commercial grower, they stop making eggs. And however that economic works out, it's time for them to go. We call them "rescue hens" because otherwise it's off to the soup pot for them. Our pickup yesterday preceded the semi taking the other thousands off to just that fate.

These hens, prior to here, have never been outside. Let's not really get into the whole organic thing on that, I know. Point is, it's going to take them about 2 weeks to a) figure out what this "outside" thing is b) start eating grass/bugs/being what we think of as chickens....before the eggs rise to our standards of AWESOME.

What's an AWESOME egg as far as we're concerned? One who's yolk is a deep orange, that stands up tall and proud, a nice firm white, but most importantly: Tastes just absolutely great: and doesn't need salt/pepper to give it 'taste'. And great nutrition goes with that great taste, too. High NATURAL omega 3's, beta carotene -- and many more things science hasn't gotten around to finding quite yet (and when they do they'll try and put it in a pill and make a zillion off it). Chickens being chickens, yep, on greatly fertile ground and high quality organic feed, not a 'least cost' ration.

These hens will molt on us at some point this summer, and when they do, they stop laying for 6 weeks or so. But the price on the initial bird is right, but more important, is our whole schedule of things here.

We don't think it's terribly productive, for us, to keep hens over the winter. It's cold, they're inside, no greens, the poop builds up, it smells, they eat way more to heat themselves and they lay less eggs and the feed is typically more expensive, and maybe the most important, we are exhausted from the season and we need a break. So we will take them in and have them made into soup hens sometime in December. Since they were 'rescue hens' to begin with, they had a great spring summer and fall beyond what they would have had, and everyone gets good out of it. If we used pullets: we would surely have to keep them over the winter, and for all the above reasons, in our situation, that just wouldn't work out.

Our hens have a 'hen house' which is part of the lower level of our hay barn. They have perches in there, and nests, and most importantly, we feed them in there, which means after a long day of scratching & pecking for who knows exactly what in the grass (worms, bugs, grass and sometimes I wonder what), they come back to the henhouse, and hopefully find a spot on the perches and settle in for the night. This to keep the predators from having a chicken dinner.

"nests": If we could sit down, have a good meeting with the hens, and all come away agreeing that it would really be to everyone's advantage to lay the eggs in the nests all the time, that would be really really super. Well, that "if" in reality is an ongoing game of hide and seek with Julie as to where the eggs might be. In the haymow somewhere, this corner with straw in it over there. Find their spot before the eggs go south. Man v. Hen. We don't always win. A little too free range for our practical purposes.

We don't care to use any more of our time scooping up poop than we absolutely have to; so this works well that they're in there to eat & sleep, and otherwise are spreading their poop out over the grass where it will fertilize the soil. The chickens are also great at keeping the fly population down. They'll eat the fly larvae and that is really great. Everything around here has multiple purposes and works symbiotically with our other enterprises.

While we're on the subject of poop -- or shall I be couth and say 'manure'. I know the egg quality is going to start getting good when I start seeing green, rather than brown, manure. The green is the clorophyll in the grasses and legumes they eat, and that is a really good thing. Interesting, too, is that you won't get much bad smell from a green poo, where the brown will smell pretty nasty toot quick. You'll find that with all the manures out on the farm -- the animal gets their proper diet and the manure is properly distributed and no bad smells. For us, bad smells = bad things going on. So enough already on poop.

Right now the gals look pretty rough: not many feathers on them, and what we notice, too, is  their combs (the floppy thing on top of their head) go from pale and almost white -- to a deep red as they're here longer, also denoting great health and surely great quality eggs.

So come on out and pick up some awesome eggs, see the hens in action all around the yard, and watch a little where you step so you don't take home more of the farm than you intended.

Happy springtime to you!

Scott, Julie, Ian, Quinn, Lilly, 2 dogs, like 10 cats (estimate), 200 hens, and 90 bovines.

This post from August 5th, 2005. Any of you out there that knows what happened in August of 2005 in the Stoughton area know what's coming up.

I mention "Authentic Happiness" by Seligman. That is a great book that effectively makes the case for optimism; it opens the door. The books that help me practice optimism are The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer & now Happy for No Reason by Marci Shimoff. I had the Power of Intention for some time, but could not get into it. When the time was right. And here recently with the economy, I needed to re-listen to the Power of Intention to get out of my funk.

 Here it is 2008 and I still feel the same way. Generally positive, with my moments of despair. Think about the good things, and forget the bad other than to learn from our mistakes. Have a great Thanksgiving, and do give thanks. - Scott

I've certainly had enough downer things here lately to bitch about, but I do believe I am a positive person, and in so, need to search that positive out. So this is that; things I am thankful for, and are truly good.

1. Getting by with a little help from my friends. In a time of need, you find out who's really a friend and who's not. I've had several, and some unexpected, that have given of themselves selflessly. Thanks Dan, Mike, Bruce, Mike, Dale. You guys live the faith beyond Sunday service. Thanks.

2. Healthy family, healthy animals. The worst of the pinkeye is over, and every calf is looking pretty darn good, even with this hot muggy weather.

3. More rain than most have gotten. A hard year could have been so much worse, and is far worse for so many. As dry as it might be, we have nothing to bitch about.

4. New customers and friends. It is so revitalizing to get to know you. I am fed by your positive energy and hope.

5. Always something interesting, something to learn. Never a dull moment.

6. For all the equipment that does work. Seems like it's always something, but so far, been able to keep the balls in the air.

7. For God to give me the strength to get through the tough times. As bad as I might think things are, I know so many have it so much worse. God has been kind to us in every way possible.

8. For my wife and children that bring me so much joy. They ground me and show me what is truly important in life.

9. For my health. A stubby finger slows me down. A fellow I know has been laid up on his back for four days now, getting nothing done. That would be devastating for us.

10. The wonderment that is nature, and the confidence that what we do and how is the right thing.

I credit some of my framework for positiveness to "Authentic Happiness", the book by Dr. Seligman, which put into focus strategies, such as this very effort, to keep a positive attitude, even when one could easily fall into despair & be just another whiner complaining about just how crappy everything is. It isn't, but I'm the only one that can make me live and believe that.

All the very best to all.
(now surely back to my whining...)

So how's this economy treating ya then there Scotty my boy?

Well, not so very great; it's a tough time to be something other than the "Walmart" of food, especially when you've focused your energy on getting your food to real people, and not just people of means.

Great food costs more to produce. I'm always amazed at how cheap a pound of ground beef is, when you consider

- it has typically been driven around 1500 miles
- the trucking company got what they needed out of the deal
- the wholesaler got what they wanted
- the grocery store got their markup
- the farmer that raised it? Hmmm. Not so sure whether he got his. Maybe he had to cheapen up the product quite a bit to have it all make sense.

Then you have our farm: Raised here, processed 35 miles away, the 35 miles back to our farm, 70 miles total. No trucking company, no wholesaler, no grocery store markup. The farmer? Us? Still arguable as to whether we're getting ours!!! And that with our very lean ground beef sold at $5.25/lb, and being grassfed & from an organic farm. Ask yourself not why ours is so "expensive" but why theirs is so cheap!

Some more differences -- think of the carbon footprint of all the items above on your "cheap" beef. Your grandkids will pay for your cheap beef today, right? At least you get a deal today. Well our beef, you're paying for a better world and better health for you; the whole cost.

 So back to the economy----

We have always focused our energy on feeding real people. It's that important that real people are healthy, full of energy, and making good decisions in their lives from health and energy rather than sickness, fatigue and frustration. But that maybe was a bad bet on our part, because we've seen altogether too many that slink back to the grocery store for the cheap beef and leave us out to dry. In a trying/stressful time like this, one would hope that the very best of health and energy and decisions are made, and an excellent diet is sure a good place to be with that.

But maybe this is a good thing for us, too, in that we have to sharpen our pencils, put our minds to work, get creative and find new ways to get the word out. What we aren't going to do is give up, or cheapen our products, or now all of a sudden stick our noses up the butt of the rich and tell them how great it smells. Our food is for all people, regardless of income, it's for people that want to be healthy, but also help change the world for the better.

And who is doing their darndest to change the world for the better? Why, Scott Trautman & Trautman Family Farm is, that's who. How then? The very first and most important way: Being a radical revolutionary and daring to be a successful small family farm. Not giving into the "conventional wisdom" and laziness of thought and action that the family farm is dead. The idea that you can farm and do any damn stupid thing you want and someone will give you a living from it: That is Dead. That creative, hardworking people can still farm and keep the humanity out on the farm: Alive and well in a new breed of farmer that doesn't make excuses for themselves, and challenges each and every idea of what it is to be a farmer.

It would make some people feel a whole lot better about purchasing from the farm if the farmers lived in a doublewide, were unkempt and had bad teeth. That way you could be sure they weren't TOO profitable; it's okay for everyone else to make money, but not farmers, we have to keep them close to the bone. That's the conventional wisdom, and I've now said it. You cringe in hearing it, but isn't it the truth? You don't want to see us succeed and have a nice house out here, if you think somehow that might be at your expense. Yet Kraft, ADM, Cargill, Monsanto, the grocery store, it IS okay for all of them to report record earnings year in and year out. You say you want farmers to succeed, yet bitch about food prices. Words/action disconnect. Words easy to say: real convictions take money and action.

How again are we changing the world for the better?

Other farmers drive by this farm every day. And they all know we're one weird breed here. Organic? Everyone knows you have nothing but weeds and poor yields. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the case driving by here. How is that? As the years go by, 6 seasons now, the excuses they give THEMSELVES as to how we can be doing it -- have to drop away. And one day, they finally give in to themselves and pull in the driveway and ask just what is it we are doing here. And I am there to help, to make real farmers out of the chem-miners.

What's that about changing the world for the better?

I instigated, I lead, I teach the Introduction to Organic Farming course at MATC in Madison. I put in significant hours -- for free -- promoting it and getting the word out to farmers about how NOW is the time to be thinking about organic farming, and to be successful, they need to change how they think, and they need to fill their heads with knowledge, and not just the Coop's phone number to call in the chem bomb when they screw up.

With as screwed up as our farmlands are, our farmer's heads are far more screwed up. They question very little, and they are convinced of ideas that are just not true. If we all went organic we'd starve. That has always been bullshit. That organic farmers see nothing but low yields and weeds. Nope, bad organic farmers see low yields and weeds. All ideas propogated by those with everything to lose if farmers said NO to all that chemical and genetic crap. Those scum have mastered siphoning money from farmers to themselves; they have a captive audience as long as they continue to buy their bullshit ideas. A lie repeated often enough becomes accepted as the truth. And there are a whole lot of lies in conventional farming, friends.

So, back to this economy of ours....

The bigboys in foods over the last few years have all jumped on the organic bandwagon. Good for them. They've brought their ideas of success to organic, too -- domination good, competition bad. Suck up all the competitors, you get to do what you want. We've seen that. Mine the good out of a good word like organic. Fine. They are watching now, and I can tell you they are grinning ear to ear -- they would be happy to shut down the organic lines and fill you back full with their processed, high margin crap once again. If all it takes is a jag in the economy to put real people off the good food.

So NOW is the time for you to show them they are WRONG. When you're looking around at a smaller pot of money -- give up the damn cable, give up the extra recreation, you don't need the extra plasma TV, you don't need to eat out as much as you do, you need to eat right and spend more time with your family; not just in proximity to them but WITH them. And a family meal of great food is but one great idea on how to do it. Maybe this economy is your queue to re-assess just what's important. Stuff? Or people, family, values.

We have put our heart and soul into this farm. We currently work for NEGATIVE dollars per hour in the here and now. If we spread our labors and investment out over 20 years -- well, still less of a return than most of you would work for, but we love what we do, and know it is important work and we are willing to make the sacrifice.

It means so much more for us to feed regular people, that have made hard choices, and this food isn't out of the luxury pot, but the how are we going to make this all work pot, yet they choose us. That means something to us and we are humbled and grateful to those people.

We are suffering along with this economy. We are disappointed to see some customers make choices that lack courage, but we'll be okay; we'll work harder still, be more creative, and never ever become cynical.

We continue to lead by example, and to speak out for what's right. Please join us in that, fuel our engine of change, fuel your engines of change, support our farm, support your bodies, buy our great food, feed the gift that is your body.

How's the economy treating us? Let me be able to say it's treating us GREAT because real people are stepping up everywhere to let us know what counts.

 I now step down from my soapbox, and get back to some real work. That checkbook won't reconcile itself you know---

Really piss 'em off: Be happy, be healthy

 Scott Trautman
Trautman Family Farm
2049 Skaalen Road
Stoughton, WI 53589
family@trautman.net
http://www.trautmanfarm.com

Mr. Bull, "Shim", and our clearly emaciated half dead 100% grass dairy girls. Wait -- they look happy and healthy, how could that be? Could it be that 99.9% of dairymen are wrong? Nah, they must be getting grain somehow.....