ACTION ALERT
Rural Vermont Raw Milk Meetings
and 2012 Raw Milk Producer Survey
Dear Members & Friends,
Rural Vermont is reaching out to our entire network to help us locate all raw milk producers in Vermont. Rural Vermont is seeking input for the 2012 Raw Milk Producer Survey, described below, which will greatly help us move forward in our campaign to advocate for improvements to the Raw Milk Law (Act 62).
In the coming weeks, we will be hosting regional “Milk Meetings” to help raw milk producers prepare for inspection by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, voice their opinions about ways in which the raw milk law could be improved, and to network and share a meal with other raw dairy farmers. The first gathering is on January 31st in Hinesburg, followed by four additional meetings around the state. Scroll down for additional dates and details.
If you are a raw milk consumer, please make sure that your farmer is aware of Rural Vermont’s upcoming surveys and meetings.
Raw Milk Producers Survey Information Needed
Rural Vermont has been at the forefront of advancing farmers’ right to sell raw milk and has been given the responsibility of reporting raw milk sales data to the Vermont Legislature. Now we need your help. The survey includes questions about 2012 sales, as well as issues related to the current raw milk law. Please complete the Rural Vermont 2012 Raw Milk Producers Survey today.
No matter the size of your milking operation or the length of time you have been milking, we want to hear from you. Also, if you have just recently stopped selling raw milk, we’re especially interested to hear about any impediments you may have experienced. All identifying information included in the survey will remain confidential.
Your information will help us communicate to Vermont legislators that raw milk provides significant economic opportunities for Vermont farmers. We realize that there are many challenges that still need to be addressed, so please complete your survey today and help us bring attention to these issues.
Rural Vermont Raw Milk Meetings
Rural Vermont has been informed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Dairy Section and Animal Health Division that they will be resuming inspections of farms selling raw milk direct to consumers. The agency’s stated purpose is “to ensure that they are in compliance with the statutes enacted several years ago” when the Raw Milk Law (Act 62) was passed in 2009. You can read materials related to the Agency of Agriculture’s inspection protocol and animal health requirements on the Agency’s website.
In response to the Agency of Agriculture’s plans to ramp up inspections of raw milk dairies, we will be hosting several regional milk meetings. Farmers can expect to learn tips for simple and inexpensive ways to comply with the law, as well as the opportunity to offer input about what changes to the current raw milk law would be most helpful to raw dairy producers.
The first meeting will be held in Hinesburg from 11am – 3pm on Thursday, January 31st with a potluck lunch. Rural Vermont members attend at no charge, $5 fee for non-members. For exact location, RSVP to shelby@ruralvermont.org or call (802) 223-7222.
Similar meetings will be held on February 7th in Randolph Center, February 21st in South Wheelock, and dates to-be-determined in southeastern Vermont and Poultney. Stay tuned for more info at http://www.ruralvermont.org.
Rural Vermont
Rural Education Action Project
http://www.ruralvermont.org
802-223-7222
VT 4 Evolution 