Trautman Family Farm

The March 10th hearing was a great day for

Farmers

               Consumers

                                 Democracy

                                                   Wisconsin

Best estimates are 800-1000 raw milk supporters. 300 in the main hall. 2 overflow rooms, bang! Immediately full, open up 2 more, bam! full.

A lot of familiar faces, a lot of new faces.

Margo Redmond - she's emailed me twice reaching out to me, I in my funk never responded until afterwards. She was on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal, and her fiery comments were right on, and a great way to start the hearing.

The committee chairpeople - outstanding - committee members - questions - outstanding. Sorry to keep you folks out so long, but we've been waiting a long long time for someone to listen to us.

See, we're the future. They - as in the Germaphobes, the Sterile Earth set, they are losing ground fast. And I think most of them see it coming. The remarkable thing about the opponents at the hearing - every last one - shared these characteristics -

1. They were paid to be there that day.

2. They were speaking someone else's words

3. Not a single one offered any kind of compromise or interest in working towards a solution other than theirs.

4. Had not looked at any materials other than their own. Ever.

5. FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR FEAR

There's more, but that's quite enough. Reflect on that.

The committee members asked great questions. I think every last one of them got in on it. Outstanding.

A question not asked of our dear sanitarians. What of the opposition - the many very good books, well cited, out there about this different opinion than yours - have you read any of that?

Answer: No. Why not? It's not scientific. A: Yes it is. Repeat ad nauseum.

Doesn't that strike you funny? No curiosity. Strong opinions (from "learned" "professionals") they know hurt other people and are unwilling to even consider other points of view or information. Hmmm. What kind of descriptive words do justice to that kind of person. Well one uppity farmer that feels pretty much lynched has an idea or two on that.

Senators & Assemblypersons: It is time for Legal Raw Milk. Make it happen. Soon. Without foolishness. Reasonable - responsible - safe - legal - and especially unhassled by DATCP. Legal Raw Milk Now.

We as farmers: We get it. We know you want to feel comfortable that we're going to do this thing safely. Thing is, we have been. It's just been in hiding. Now you get to see us in full sun - beacons - shining examples of the very best of Wisconsin Dairy. The Very Best: That's us. Not Dean Foods. Not Rosendale CAFO. The scrappy and definitely not dead Wisconsin Family Dairymen & women. We don't want handouts. We want our own customers and with that, a fair shake at making OUR OWN MONEY, not taking government charity.

This will be an interesting week readers. We're all going to see the best or the worst from DATCP. It's inspection week at Trautman Family Farm. Doing it 'their' way. Tune in here for whether I have new respect for the people of DATCP, or another new 'farmer being lynched' experience. I'd rather say 'respect' than 'lynch', but does anyone from DATCP think beyond their egos to see the value in helping rather than antagonizing? We shall see, we shall see.

Scott Trautman, PROUD Wisconsin Dairyman

COMING SOON: 10 ways to punish Dean Foods the Farmer Killers and not the farmers shipping to them (not for long).