Originally published February 8 2006
Organic milk may save small dairy farms in Vermont
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Burlington Free Press covers the interests of organic dairy farmers in Vermont, as the state, led by Agriculture secretary Steve Kerr, promotes the production of organic milk as a means of saving small dairy farms.
griculture Secretary Steve Kerr says his department wants to begin making "cold calls" on some of the state's small dairy farms, to see if their owners are interested in switching to organic milk.
Far from being discouraged by a new study raising questions about the profitability of organic dairying, Kerr said the method can be the salvation of some small farms.
"There has been so much boosterism about organic this, organic that.
This report should give us all a sense of realism" that excellent farm and financial management are needed to make a success of an organic operation, he said.
Nevertheless, the much higher, stable price paid for organic milk holds real promise, he said.
The dairy industry continues to consolidate, like other industries.
A June report to the agencies of Agriculture and Commerce outlined the potential benefits of expanding Vermont's share of the organic market.
Jim Douglas will make recommendations, including some about organic dairying, later this month.
"I've asked for money in next year's budget for cold-calling on farms for which the transition to organic might make sense," he said.
Those are the small conventional farms -- with perhaps 40, 50 or 60 cows -- whose owners cannot or do not want to grow larger.
It is important for small farmers who might be interested in organic production to act sooner rather than later, he said, because the demand for organic milk won't continue to grow at 20 percent a year forever.
"Those who grab market share early on will have a better chance of holding on to it," he said.
"Hopefully, the UVM study will not discourage people who have good business minds and good business plans from making the transition," he said.
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