An estimated 150-200 organic dairy farmers and their supporters from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa held a “demonstration” at the La Crosse County Fair on Thursday. Their goal was to convince USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to take immediate action against “factory farms” allegedly saturating the market with illegal organic milk. Notably, Aurora Dairy was mentioned as having violated organic rules without receiving reprisal of any kind.
The Cornucopia Institute was at the La Crosse Fair Grounds and Livetweeted the event. Here are some of the choicest quotes from speakers who wanted to impress on Sec. Vilsack how hard it is to be an organic dairy farmer right now:
* (OrganicRallyQuote) Steve Pechacek, farmer: We had 19 buyers when we started Organic Choice, today we have 2.
* (OrganicRallyQuote) Jim Goodman, farmer: See our plight and listen to us; make organic mean organic.
* (OrganicRallyQuote) Darlene Coehoorn, farmer, said in tears: Keep the dream alive. We are an endangered species.
In the face of this passion, Secretary Vilsack responded to the crowd’s request to level the playing field and enforce organic standards across the organic industry by saying:
* (OrganicRallyQuote) Secretary Vilsack: We will prosecute the violators of organic rules; I commit to you that we will enforce the rules.
Now I do realize that a politician’s words have a shorter shelflife than a gallon of organic milk. But we’ve heard from both the Deputy USDA Secretary and the Secretary himself, now, saying that organic rules and standards will be enforced. The message is clear, it’s coordinated, and it’s coming from the top of the Department of Agriculture.
Now we’ll see if they can add some muscle to their words.
More:
Organic Dairy Farmers Rally in Protest (Hobby Farms)
Vilsack Gets an Earful During Visit (WI Public Radio)
USDA’s Vilsack Hears Complaints from Small Organic Farmers
