Editor:
Following is a letter I sent to state Rep. Kathleen Curry, encouraging
her to take leadership to sponsor legislation that would allow the
rebirth of small diary farms and local dairies in Colorado. She
is a rancher from the Gunnison area, and may be willing to support this
effort to allow diversity and contribute to a more sustainable
agricultural economy here. Colorado communities have been missing
this beneficial small industry since the 1950s.
Dear Kathleen,
As a longtime resident of Colorado (since 1944), I can remember the
tough times after the war in rural western Colorado. But people farmed
and hunted to put food on their tables and somehow it worked. The
current economic downturn, the flow of American food products out of
the country and the condition of our farmer subsidies are putting
incredible pressure on producers and the lowest level (subsistence) of
consumers.
I remember in the early 1950s there were small dairy farmers all over
the Western Slope, and every small town had its creamery that made
great dairy products from the local milk. But by the end of that decade
things changed, radically. I remember hearing the dairymen and small
creamery owners saying that the state of Colorado, under heavy lobbying
by large dairy interests removed the legislation and regulations that
allowed small dairy farms and creameries to survive (the Grade B dairy
regulations). The argument was that Grade B standards were unsafe and
resulted in products that were dangerous to the public. But of course
this was not true.
Almost overnight, every dairy and dairy farm shut down, and we have not
seen them since, especially on the Western Slope, in our “marginal”
agricultural mountain valley environments.
I think it is time to change that. Changing the law governing dairy
farm and creamery operations would be a boon to the economy of Colorado
and would create jobs in the rural areas and small towns. We have seen
more and more land in the high valleys being put under
agricultural/conservation easements in order to preserve the pastoral
agricultural quality. Legislation that permits small dairy farms
to emerge again would allow these reserved lands to be both scenic and
more productive by providing another agricultural option. Products from
local creameries — such as cheeses, ice cream, butter and other
products — would add useful and a greater diversity of economic bases
for local towns.
As an adult, I witnessed the death of sugar beet cultivation and
processing and its effects on Delta County. They were so desperate for
alternatives that they sought a prison to provide jobs and economic
benefits. The Grade B dairy idea is a much better alternative that will
enrich our communities, counties and state.
As a rancher and member of the state House committee on Agriculture and
Natural Resources, I encourage you to take up this idea and get it
passed.
John Barbee
The Roaring Fork Valley
