In Arkansas, there is legislation being considered to make it legal
for people to sell modest amounts of raw cow milk as on-farm sales.
This would be so wonderful for our state - if you are interested in
supporting this, now is the time to let your state senator know. The
bill has passed the house overwhelmingly, but as far as I can tell is
still in the committee in the Senate. Below is the letter I wrote in
support of the bill, HB1114. I'll keep you posted.
I am writing in
support of H.B. 1114 - to allow the incidental sale of whole milk that
has not been pasteurized. As a consumer, I would love to be able to
purchase raw, whole, cow milk. As the owner of a farm and business
selling locally grown produce, I know that others want this product as
well.
While other rural states are reaping the benefits of the local food movement, in southwest Arkansas
our grocery money continues to flow elsewhere instead of into the
pockets of our local farmers and then back into the community economies
that are so critically important to our state. I offer a subscription-type delivery service of locally grown, high quality produce in the Texarkana area, and the demand for my product is far above the supply I can produce at this time.
The local food industry must have both buyers and sellers to succeed. Right now I have lots of buyers on a waiting list, but not enough sellers - growers of local produce - to supply them. While of course I don’t sell milk to my subscribers, any measure that strengthens and diversifies small farms in Arkansas is good for my business and good for the food consumers of Arkansas.
In my investigations
of local food distribution in other states, I have noticed that states
with laws that are friendly to raw milk access have vibrant and
successful small farming and local food communities, where the dollars
of local consumers cycle in their local and state economies, creating
state and local revenues. Providing raw milk access seems to be an indicator for the growth and success of the local food industry.
We must remove archaic and meaningless regulations that prevent Arkansas landowners from developing profitable and sustainable farming operations. Encouraging young farm families who are committed to a healthy rural Arkansas lifestyle is good for my business. H.B. 1114 helps the family dairy cow become an asset, not a liability, and therefore makes the whole farm stronger. I
want to buy plentiful, high quality, beautiful, local produce to
provide for my customers. I need young farmers to buy from - while I
depend now on the network of farmer's markets in my area, they are
overwhelmingly staffed by older folks for whom farming is a hobby.
Farming must become profitable for young families if Arkansas
is to take advantage of the powerful local food movement that is so
good for local economies. Offering small farmers the ability to sell a
few gallons a month of excess milk makes the expensive prospect of
owning and maintaining a dairy cow more manageable.
While the average
consumer of high quality, high end gourmet local food does not consume
raw milk, many small farm holders form a stronger commitment to this
lifestyle if they can successfully integrate a cow into their
operation. They are likely to be farming year round, and more involved
in the operation as a family. Their children can have the benefit of
dairy calves to show at fairs and for FFA projects and their family can
benefit from dairy products such as home-made cheese, butter, and
yogurt.
In Miller County,
where I live and work, there are empty fields along any road you choose
to travel. Some are filling with overpriced, cookie-cutter, shoddily
built, suburban housing that represents only the massive debt and lack
of foresight that has driven our entire country into economic crisis.
These fields could be developed into thriving farms, growing food to be
sold nearby, keeping Arkansas
money in the local communities, providing healthy nutrition for our
citizens, and allowing farm families to have a lifestyle that is one of
integrity and pride. These fields can produce wealth for Arkansas
families. And yes, the sight of a grazing dairy cow and her calf would
be inspiring and affirming to those of us who love our state and know
that the rural life that has always existed here is a good one.
Please support your
local farmer, because the local farmer does so much more for our state
than just till the soil. Please vote yes for H.B. 1114.
Thank you,
Georgiaberry Mobley
Kandan Mobley
www.SunshineForDinner.com
230 PR 1102
Fouke AR 71837
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