Wisconsin Raw Milk Bill–A Letter to the Sponsors

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Donna and Daughter, Lisa Jacobson

Mother and Daughter Make 19 Hour Trip to Raw Milk Hearing

A Letter to State Senators by Lisa Jacobson

Dear Senators Kreitlow & Danou,

Thank you very much for proposing this bill. Thank you to the Senators & Representatives who introduced and cosponsored this challenging issue. Thank you to everyone who was instrumental in setting up the hearing.

Wednesday’s hearing had an impressive turn out and incredible testimonies! I am from Milwaukee, we left here at 5 AM, arrived at 9:30. I immediately signed up & was able to give my testimony at 4PM! My 75 year old mother & I stayed to almost 8PM, the bitter end, to listen to almost all of the compelling testimonies. And then drove 4 hours for home in dense fog. Pretty full day for all of us! Kudos for the committee’s graciousness and endurance throughout.

I still am not sure why the hearing was held in Eau Claire instead of Madison, our legislative capitol? Or held in such a small auditorium? I keep hearing that it was a tactic to reduce media exposure and make this critical meeting as inconvenient as possible for many more constituents & their representatives to attend? I still have not heard back from the respective committees on this matter.

My apologies in advance but I would like to add to my short testimony, another thought, after hearing all of the evidence on Wednesday. My hypothetical question I posed there was this:

Why is the DATCP so opposed to legalizing the sale of unpasteurized, PURE milk? They are not making the laws, they are appointed to safeguard the laws created, which ever direction these laws take.

Hmmm… so I came to the conclusion that it may be answered in the possibility:

If more evidence reveals, the case publicly, that naturally pure milk is in fact healthier than pasteurized, and pasteurized could be harmful… terribly harmful to Wisconsin’s $26 billion dollar ‘conventional’ dairy industry. Sadly, I suppose, it could have litigious outcomes to the DATCP as well as to our economy.

I certainly hope we can move forward in a direction that helps everyone!

Finally, I would like to give thanks to the Wisconsin Farmer’ Unions for announcing their support to this bill.

Thank you everyone and Best Wishes. What follows is my testimony at the hearing.

Lisa A. Jacobson on Senate Bill 434 and Assembly Bill 628 – Vote YES

Dear Senator’s & Representative’s:
Please support & vote YES to Senate Bill 434 and Assembly Bill 628 to legalize the sale of PURE unadulterated and unpasteurized milk, butter & cheese.

Wisconsin consumers should have the right to purchase PURE unpasteurized milk legally from our farmers.

Consuming raw milk products is not dangerous and is NOT A Safety or public health risk issue.

We, the Wisconsin consumer are choosing to vote with our dollars by purchasing organic, RAW & locally grown food such as fruit, vegetables, beef, poultry, eggs. Wisconsin consumers should also have the same legal right to purchase our dairy products, unpasteurized, from our farmer!

We, the Wisconsin consumer’s, are choosing to purchase our food locally to not only reduce interstate transportation & related carbon emissions, but we are choosing to purchase locally grown raw food to also support our small farmers, sustainable agricultural practices and also so we know exactly where and how our food is grown. Please don’t allow this bill to fail.

Consumer demand & sales of wholesome and organic & raw locally grown foods in Wisconsin and the United States is continuing to see record growth, and that momentum is not going away. This demand is witnessed by the rise and success in the number of local farmer’s markets and proliferation of Urban Gardens such as Growing Power in Milwaukee. This demand is also witnessed by the success & healthful response of health minded television programs such as the Biggest Loser.

In a time of epidemic obesity, diabetes and massive food recalls by industrial food giants, educated consumers are reaching out for better food choices. Wisconsin consumers have a right to purchase unadulterated food!

Why has the Wisconsin Department of Agricultural Trade and Consumer Protection opposed to legalizing the sale of unpasteurized, PURE milk?

Our state’s law and statutes are contradictory, for example:

The Wisconsin Dept of Agricultural Trade & Consumer Protection states on it own website, under FAQ, that YES, it IS legal for farmers, their families and household guests to consume their raw milk. Based on this statement by the dept., it is clear that The Safety and public health risk of consuming raw milk is NOT AN ISSUE.

Cigarettes, Hand Guns and Junk Food are all LEGAL consumer choices in Wisconsin, but purchasing Raw Milk is Illegal? Is this really advancing consumer protection? Really?

Dear Senator’s & Representatives, PLEASE vote YES to support & move this bill forward to allow PURE, unpasteurized milk and dairy products to be accessible and sold legally to Wisconsin consumers at the farm. We are committed, determined and we are growing in numbers and we are not going to go away.

Thank you very much for representing your constituent’s voices!

Respectfully Submitted, March 10, 2010 by Lisa A. Jacobson

Lisa Jacobson

Lisa Jacobson lives in Milwaukee, in a 110 year old Victorian home where she tends to her flower and vegetable garden. She also loves to hang out with her Great Dane & kitty. It’s her oasis in the city. She is a graduate in Fashion Design from Mount Mary College and worked as a creative apparel designer for over 20 years.