Action pnum1116 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Thanks for Voting NO on SDDA's proposed raw milk rules ********** [131742:082313] J.B., Sioux Falls, SD There is no need for changes/new laws governing milk. Compared to other foods milk has one of the lowest incidences of spreading illness. There's simply no need to try to fix something that isn't broken. ********** [163938:082113] D.J., Bridgewater, SD Thank you for requiring the Ag Department to go back on the proposed raw milk rules. I believe the proposed rules will make it more difficult to buy raw milk while not improving safety. I think the proposed rules are a back door attempt to stop raw milk sales in South Dakota. Please continue to support my right to buy raw milk. Thank you ********** [140202:082113] J.S., Yankton, SD We sincerely enjoy the freedom to buy raw milk at a fair price, and that our local farmers are not overburdened with more regulations. ********** [080121:082013] A.O., Brookings, SD As a new mother, I am very concerned about nutrition and safety for myself and my baby. I prefer to consume raw milk for a number of reasons. Raw whole milk is a completely natural food that is highly nutrient dense. I know and trust the farmer who milks the cows, and I can inspect the dairy and milk bottling facility and practices for myself at any time. The farmer who milks the cows drinks the milk along with his family. Please don't make this product impossible to consume for people who prefer it. Thank you for your time and your concern for the people of your state. ********** [041554:082013] s.f., Tabor, SD Please please please vote NO on the proposed raw milk rules! Raw milk is our families #1 food in our diet! Please stand for our freedom to choose our own lifestyles! ********** [011604:082013] J.D., Spearfish, SD Good Morning, We've been drinking raw milk now for almost two years with great success. Please consider for a moment the possibility that the proposed system of hyper industrialized milk production is actually more dangerous than raw milk, and that raw milk's prohibition uses government leverage to create an artificial monopoly. Lastly, given the propensity for accidents and documented incidents within in the current industrialized food system, the proposed legislation creates a double standard and unreasonable requirement on a particular group, making it unconstitutional. Know your history. Raw milk got a bad wrap when beer brewers pushed their spent grain through dairy cows. Free markets are good and buyer beware. Sincerely, John Dale Spearfish, SD ********** [204926:081913] K.V., Mud Butte, SD Dear fellow SD residents, I have been involved in agriculture my whole life like many generations before me and now my husband and I are thrilled to be able to share this beautiful life with our daughter. We live on a ranch in Meade Co and along with many other kinds of livestock we also have a family milk cow. I like many others see great health benefit and of course the convenience of drinking raw milk. I feel very strongly about the origin of my food and knowing the source of the milk I drink and the treatment and health of the cow that produced it is of great interest to me. I feel that it is the responsibility of each consumer and obviously the producer to know of and ensure safe practices in producing any kind of food, that being said I am adamant that this issue is not one of legislative importance. Generations before have raised their families and found great nutritional value in unpasteurized milk and during those times there wasn't laws that were supposed to keep people safe from a product produced and consumed from nearly every ones back yard. Bottom line I feel is that if you know your producer or are your own producer drink milk at your own risk. I will touch briefly upon studies I have seen upon the terrible mold that consumes spoiled pasteurized milk whereas raw milk when it sours becomes another product for example yogurt, cheese, etc. not just an item for the garbage can. There are more important matters on the horizon than stringently limiting the freedom of what we can eat and drink at our own kitchen table. Please vote NO on the proposed raw milk rules. Sincerely yours, Kelsey Vig ********** [193228:081913] P.J., Spearfish, SD Please vote 'no' on the proposed raw milk rules. Consumers' and producers' thoughtful input has not been taken into consideration. My partner and I have just started farming in Spearfish Valley. This is our second season growing mixed vegetables for market and CSA. We are learning quickly the rules and regulations involved in producing food and how best to work with the inherent challenges of nature. As small scale farmers and local producers, we need support and training programs, not more restrictions and red tape. Small, local dairies are an enormous asset to our community and they deserve support from our State Agriculture Department. Thank you for your time. ********** [180140:081913] J.S., Belle Fourche, SD I believe it is important for raw milk to be available to anyone who desires it because I've meet many people that are unable to drink conventional milk to it being too hard on their stomach. Also I believe they should have the freedom to choose. ********** [175601:081913] M.H., Enning, SD SD already has some of the most well thought out rules on raw milk that protect both the consumer and producer. Everyone should have the freedom to produce and consume raw milk without excessive bureaucratic regulations. ********** [173608:081913] J.P., Harrisburg, SD I've been consuming raw milk now for 10 years, and I'm convinced it has greatly helped some health issues I've had. Please don't take this food choice away from me and my family. Jillane Paulson ********** [173256:081913] R.M., Sturgis, SD Please vote NO on the new proposed raw milk rules. I ask that you protect our personal liberties. We buy other raw products such as meat and vegetables so we should be able to buy raw milk. ********** [155551:081913] J.V., Belle Fourche, SD Please vote NO on the proposed Raw Milk legislation. I am a South Dakota resident who chooses raw milk for my family. I found my way to the local sources out of a need to feed the most wholesome and close to nature milk, vegetables, fruits and meets available. We have had long-standing allergy issues in our family that have all but disappeared since we have made these choices. To have the government meddle in the most basic of choices--what to feed our families--is not, in my mind prudent or in keeping with our personal freedoms. Raw milk producers (and other organic farmers), in my experience, are very well versed in food safety and that is a priority for them. They tend to be more conscious of what goes in and comes out -- they feed their goods to their own families -- and that endorsement is more than good enough for me! Please VOTE NO! ********** [151550:081913] K.H., Spearfish, SD Please vote NO on the new proposed raw milk rules. As a SD citizen, I ask that you protect our personal liberties and our right to choose our own food. We buy raw meat and raw vegetables, so we should have the right to buy raw milk. It's healthier than pasteurized milk but big business has blurred the facts. When ever in question, choose freedom! Thank you. ********** [131844:081913] S.M., Sturgis, SD Please vote NO! I grew up on raw milk, I feed my children raw milk and feel this is a right and choice I should have without the government interfering. Again, I ask you to vote NO! ********** [124833:081913] A.H., Marion, SD To Whom it May Concern: First off, I want to thank those who are concerned about the health and well being of citizens of South Dakota. I believe that some in leadership are trying to do what is best for the people. At this time, in regards to raw milk production and consumption, I believe it is our personal responsibility to choose if we produce or consume raw milk. I believe that, by regulating the production of raw milk, the producers and consumers rights are totally disregarded. We the people have the right to produce and consume raw milk, even though some may not agree with our choices. For example, many people choose to smoke, I choose not too, many people drink raw milk and many choose not too. Some people choose to drink raw milk because it agrees with their digestive system and others choose because they believe it is healthier for them and their family. This choice should be left to the people to choose. Making more stipulations is not going to solve anything but cause more upsets. Please let us produce and consume raw milk. Again, I do thank those of you who are concerned about the health of the people, however, it is our choice to produce and consume. Don't take away more of our rights. Thank you, Ashley Huber ********** [124734:081913] C.B., Oral, SD Hi, I am a concerned citizen about the control our government would have on raw milk.I grew up on a small ranch and milked a cow everyday and we drank raw milk all growing up and it was so good. I would like to have that option of being able to let others share in the goodness of raw milk!!.Please consider this in your decision.Thanks, Crystal/Hot Springs ********** [123433:081913] B.J., Trail City, SD Please vote NO! on proposed Raw Milk Rules. If I choose to purchase and consume raw milk that should be my choice not the governments. Please vote No! ********** [122956:081913] D.M., Hermosa, SD You are driving small business out in the name of supporting the milk industry. You are not protecting the health of the people that consume raw milk. You are taking away their right to choose. ********** [122421:081913] J.M., Rapid City, SD I am writing you today with concern about the upcoming Legislative Rules Review Committee meeting this Tuesday, August 20 and the presentation of the raw milk rules as unchanged by the Department of Agriculture. Considering that over a dozen people traveled to testify in July and hundreds of written comments submitted, and the Department of Agriculture did not fully consider all the concerns the concerns presented, I submit that the Dept did not fully consider all the concerns, amendments, data, opinions, or arguments per SDCL 1-26-4 (7) that states, "After the written comment period, the agency shall fully consider all amendments, data, opinions, or arguments regarding the proposed rule." Please take this under advisement on Tuesday, August 20 and I hope you will do due diligence in making sure the citizens recommendations are incorporated. Sincerely, Jessica M. Rapid City, SD ********** [114638:081913] L.N., Sioux Falls, SD As a South Dakotan who had a child who was intolerant to pasteurized milk I am thankful I was able to get connected with a farmer who provided us with raw milk for 2 years. My boy would have rashes and diarrhea if he had any store bought milk, but thrived on raw and NEVER once got sick from it. On behalf of other families who rely on raw milk and raw milk farmers I beg you to vote NO!! Raw milk is wonderful and this is a ridiculous witch hunt against farmers who are trying to make a living selling a wholesome wonderful food. Please do not take that away from them and from us! Thank you! ********** [112727:081913] B.C., Sioux Falls, SD Vote NO on SDDA's proposed raw milk rules- we should all have a choice as to what type of food/drink we choose to consume. ********** [100904:081913] S.L., Sioux Falls, SD We have the right to choose what we want to buy!!!!! I want to purchase raw cheese and milk, I want to support local small farm businesses, and I want to know EVERYTHING that is in my so called "food" packaged by companies using unnecessary harmful chemicals. ********** [073912:081913] S.Z., Sheldon, IA Dear Sir or Madam, I am asking that you please vote NO on the new restrictions for Raw Milk Producers in South Dakota. The consumers have a right to choose what foods we want to put their our bodies and Raw Milk has consistently been found to be much healthier than the processed milk. These are mostly small family farms and this will jeopardize their existence. Please take these letters into consideration. Thank you. Sincerely, S.Z. Sioux Falls, SD ********** [071306:081913] H.D., Sioux Falls, SD Vote no! It is our choice to choose what we put in our bodies right? Like the sale of alcohol and tobacoo being permitted why would raw milk not be!? Its ludicrous!! Thank you for making the right choice and voting NO!!! Heidi Dewitt **********