"Raw milk" is a derogatory term so use the correct name. "Fresh milk" is a better product and can be sold for more. It tastes better too!

The government needs to find a way for dairies to sell fresh milk and not find excuses why they can't. We need to work towards selling local products which are fresher. The pasteurized milk is commingled with many dairies so it is much worse in terms of tracking bacteria.

- Tom in NH (posted by Patti Daniels, VPR)

Corporate America is rigged to favor large corporations, and farmers are idealists still playing by Adam Smith's rules when investment banks and corporations have switched over to predatory capitalism. Milk is an inelastic commodity, meaning that the demand will not rise or fall much over the short term. This allows the giant milk processors to force farmers to be price takers. Farmers are also price takers from the suppliers of feeds and fertilizers, so they can't pass on their costs as prices for those supplies rise.

So isn't it true that the big dairy manufacturers and retailers are making excess profits on the backs of the dairy farmers? And hasn't California ruined the dairy market by creating huge dairy farms in the desert, sucking up subsidized water from the Colorado River and keeping prices down?

- Wally in Williamstown (posted by Patti Daniels, VPR)

rbST has been used for the last decade to increase milk production in cows. While European countries have banned it, some farmers in Vermont embraced its use, even with the health issues it caused their cows. Only now due to pressure from Wal-Mart’s consumers are Vermont farmers being told they cannot use the product.

Three questions: since farming is competitive and there is no test for rbST, how do consumers know that farmers will stop using the product? How long before rbST milk will no longer be in the non-organic cheese, butter, and cultured products [section] in the grocery store? Why, as secretary, did you not take the lead in forcing the [reduction] in the use of rbST, therefore reducing supplies, and increasing farmers’ income -- instead of waiting for Wal-Mart to force your hand?

- Rick in Montpelier (posted by Patti Daniels, VPR)

One thing Vermonters can do to help is make sure we buy Vermont dairy products when we shop.

There is a way to help less fortunate Vermonters at the same time, through a partnership between the Agency of Agriculture, Cabot, Ben & Jerry’s and the Vermont FoodBank:

Visit us at the Williston Hannaford, the Shaws in Colchester and the Price Chopper on Shelburne Road on July 11 from 9-1 PM and buy some Vermont dairy products to donate to the FoodBank. Or you can donate now online at www.vtfoodbank.org/donate/dairy. All money raised will be used to purchase Vermont dairy products.

- John Sayles, CEO Vermont FoodBank (posted by Patti Daniels, VPR)

Secretary Allbbee represents the official point of view which is the point of view that has created this problem. Anyone interested in the opposite point of view should read "The Political Economy of Milk" by James Maroney available at most local VT bookstores or from Amazon or www.lulu.com