Testimonial and letters from support

My name is Ernesto Ochoa and I suffer from Crohn's disease.
I am writing this letter as my testimony in support of Evergreen Acres Goat Farm.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003. I have suffered severely since then.
My weight has dropped from 160 to 96 pounds when nothing seemed to work. I was wasting away rapidly losing blood internally so that I needed blood transfusions.
The drugs I was given did nothing to help. My condition did not improve and I was in a lot of pain vomiting 6 to 8 times a day and with severe diarrhea.
One day I ran into a lady in a health food store who approached me and asked what was wrong with me. I told her my condition was Crohn's disease and she told me that she knew someone who had cured themselves from this disease. She gave me his book that day and my life was changed for the better since then.
I learned to eat an organic diet and the most important thing in the book was to consume RAW GOAT MILK, specially in the form of RAW yogurt or RAW kifer.
The day I started to consume RAW GOAT MILK products my health went from almost dying to healthy overnight. RAW GOAT MILK has changed my life and I owe my health today to that.
The DA and the CDFA are trying to take my health and life away by attacking small herd share farms and ignoring my Constitutional rights to get access to my milk from my goat.
You should know that I have recently discovered how I got crohn's disease in the first place. It was from taking a legal pharmaceutical drug that the federal government has put a golden seal of approval on. It is called ACCUTANE and was recently taken off the market because it has made thousands of people very sick.
This action against Evergreen Acres is all about Money not public safety.
I hope this can be used as a testimonial letter to support them.

Thank You and Best Regards

Goat Sharehold
Sacrmento,CA
July 26 2011

Letter of Support,

Please consider this a testimonial and a letter of support for Goat and Cow programs in CA.
I am a producer of retail approved raw milk in CA. I am subject to incredibly intensive and very expensive regulation for my raw milk products which are available throughout CA in 400 retail stores. More than 65,000 people each week consume our raw milk products.
I met with Mike Hulme two weeks ago. He brought with him some of his raw goat milk and raw feta cheese.
I have never been more impressed with the goat milk and cheese. It was incredibly fresh, clean and when tested it was cleaner than mine….now that is a real testimonial from a guy who knows raw milk. The results come as no surprise. When a small farmer takes pride in his milking and cleanliness, the results are obvious and you can taste the concern, work and effort.
It is about time that Californians take personal responsibility for their food, for their health and for their relationships with their food sources and farmers. Goat or Cow Shares are the ultimate expression of this consumer outreach effort.
There is no readily available retail raw goats milk in CA. If a consumer wants or needs raw goats milk they will need to buy their own goat. Most municipalities forbid the home boarding of goats or cows. This means the consumer must become a co-producer and contract with a farmer to house and milk their goat.
So far, CDFA has made this a criminal activity. This CDFA activity is “truly a canary” in the mineshaft of America’s eroding food freedoms and freedoms in general. Our current American diet has failed miserably and produces, obesity, diabetes, IBS, Asthma, Autism….it is a disaster. Consumers have come to understand this and now seek whole unprocessed foods. These farm direct unprocessed whole foods do not produce the same outrageous illnesses and outcomes. Consumers shall not be forced to eat foods that are sickening the broader population. No matter what CDFA or the FDA says or does.
These CDFA law enforcement raids are hitting a nutritional civil rights movement brick wall. It will stop and it must stop. There have been no illnesses reported in CA from these small Share based systems.
The FDA has pasteurized milk listed as the most allergenic food in America. Pasteurized milk is associated with lactose intolerance.
Consumers must have control over their health destinies and must not be forced to eat food that causes extreme food allergies and terrible gas pains. To them…pasteurized milk is downright dangerous and not health building.
Raw milk is just the opposite….it stabilizes MAST cells and treats and prevents allergies and Asthma ( see PARSIFAL study in EU ). Raw milk is also not commonly associated with lactose intolerance.
Please do what you can to assure the consumers and their farmers of access to safe clean delicious raw milk. Please make the message loud and clear….food is a sacred right, where that food comes from and whether that food is processed or not is also a sacred right.
All the best,

Mark McAfee
Founder CEO
Organic Pastures Dairy Company LLC
Fresno CA
www.organicpastures.com

PLEASE PLEASE post wherever, however you choose and distribute as widely as possible

I have the privilege of being both a goat share holder at Evergreen Farm in San Jose as well a member of Rawesome Foods in Venice.

Something happened - not to me, per se, but in me. I must share this and am not tech savvy with access to Twitter, Facebook etc. However, I cannot express how compelled I am to share with any and everyone who might take the time to read now. As all of our time is valuable, anyone reading further has my gratitude.

As I walked away from the raided Rawesome with my empty cooler on Wednesday 8/3, I looked down at a suitcase that an agent wheeled away - with what I assume was raw dairy.

Wednesday night - just as I had been watching aghast all week - I looked thru the TV screen into the eyes of Somali women who had buried a child and had walked to a camp hoping another might receive some nourishment to spare its life.

I am an advocate of raw goat and camel dairy. Period. The politics of such is not why I write now. I speak as only a human being.

Timing is everything. Perhaps it is no coincidence that what experts are calling Africa's most calamitous drought coincides with the crackdown on real food.

How can people of conscious reconcile this debauchery of human dignity? How? The choice to raid - across the country - results, right now, in dumping of arguably some of the most nutritious food on the planet.

The agents who dump raw dairy are people. They are following instruction and doing their job. Some may believe unpasteurized dairy is truly a health hazard. Again, I type now setting aside any debate.

I do not care if one reads this who is faith-filled, agnostic, or atheist. I am asking, though, to THINK of what it means - in the very moment - that the enormity of the atrocity in Somolia can possibly be in the same newspaper as raw dairy raids. How can this be? What does it say about who and what we are?

Do not even feel compelled to act. Who am I to suggest such? However, in the quiet of your own conscience, please ponder this world in which we ALL - whether starving or raiding to rid - come to the same table.

Goat shareholder
August 5,2011

July 10, 2011 letter to

Jeffrey F. Rosen
District Attorney
70 W Hedding St, West wing
San Jose, CA 95110

Cc: Deputy DA Nahal Iravani-Sani

Dear Mr. Rosen,

I have been following with horror the story of Evergreen Acres Petting Farm. I understand that you shut down the farm and its operations requiring owners Jane and Mike Hulme to obtain a license granted by CDFA. There are of course no health reasons to shut down the farm. There are no rational reasons either, no previous problems, no lawsuits, not even complaints about this farm. There is no research that can point to any threat either. As you know, no sale to the public occurs, only to share owners, thus there are no public health concerns either. The reasons for closing down this farm are purely political and very bad ones at that. This “license” requirement is bogus of course. I hope you do not think that any of your constituents are actually buying this maneuver. This certification process essentially means that the legislation is set such that small farms cannot afford to obtain the license and thus cannot survive. The bar is set so high that it is not affordable to small dairy farms, and they will have to go out of business. Basically your actions indicate that you do not allow small farms to exist but only large commercial ones. In forcing Evergreen Acres to obtain a license you have a big hand in creating a market in which only large businesses can operate with no possibility for small businesses to exist.

The worst part of reading the literature about this case was learning that you have a choice whether to pursue this case or not. Challenging you on legal grounds is not the purpose of this letter as I am not a lawyer. I am, however, a college professor in philosophy at San Jose State University and I am writing this letter in this capacity. My area of specialty is ethics and political theory. This case is of great interest to me and my students, and it culminates several issues I teach throughout the semester: democracy, social justice, civil rights, free market capitalism, and citizens responsibility when voting. I always include current material in my classes, and this is a perfect case study since it encompasses the above issues, all of which you, DA Jeffrey F. Rosen, violate.

This is a private herd share business, run with a legal contract called herd share agreement. Closing down this farm violates my constitutional right to draw a contract. Your actions indicate no respect for democracy.

Do people have a right to buy and sell commodities that are legal? Since raw milk is legal, under what pretence is the DA forbidding private sale? Your actions show no respect for civil rights.

This case is about free market capitalism. If the legislation and regulations are set such that small businesses cannot operate, is this a free market? Your actions violate the principle of free market with excessive and unnecessary regulation and in this case restrict the market only to large businesses.

Should voters know that the district attorney goes after small sustainable organic farms?

You are an elected official. I am going to make sure every one of my students knows you and your deputy Nhal Iravani-Sani by name and knows what you are doing to Jane and Mike Hulme. I am going to assign my students a paper on this case. If possible, I will invite Jane and Mike Hulme to make a presentation in my classes and tell my students their story. Further, if it is possible, I will have them bring one of their goats since this might be one of the last chances to see such a beautiful healthy goat.

This case is a horror story for anyone who believes in democracy, civil rights, free market or any kind of social justice. This is a case of financial tyranny and not democracy. Beyond the political analysis here, personally I find your actions both callous and even malicious.

If you decide to drop this case, and every single ethical and political principle I can think of indicates you should, I’ll still teach this class, but this time with a happy ending in which the DA stood up for democracy, civil rights and small businesses.

Lastly, unlike you who held all the meetings in closed chambers, my class is open to you and your deputy and associates. You are welcome to attend the class I will teach about you.

Sincerely,

San Jose State University
Department of Philosophy
Associate Processor

Friday, July 8, 2011
[ This article appeared on page A - 11 of the San Francisco Chronicle ]

The San Jose district attorney and the California Department of Food and Agriculture recently shut down operations at Evergreen Acres, San Jose's only remaining farm ("Herd-share dustup," Business, July 6).

Evergreen Acres provides goat boarding and milking services through herd-share agreements. The direct sale of raw milk between farmers and consumers is illegal in California, but herd shares are not.

I'm frustrated and disappointed that I'm unable to use Evergreen Acres boarding services and receive the milk my goat provides. Herd shares are legal in California, and restricting my access to my goat and her products violates my rights.

Raw goat milk is an integral part of my diet. I easily digest it and value the nutritious vitamins and enzymes that are present due to the raw nature of this milk. As a public health professional and concerned citizen, I'm outraged that governments can violate access to my goat and her products. As an informed consumer, I would like to make my own decisions about food.

Small farms are disproportionately affected by increased (and often misguided) regulation. This is not an isolated incident.

Monique Webster,
Berkeley

Comments from San Francisco Chronicle #2
Wednesday, July 8, 2011

Forgive me if I do not feel comforted by the government keeping guard over the safety of my food supply by preventing me from making my own choices. I'm fine with the government regulating mega-corporations where I have no way of seeing what's going on for myself -- they're going to do whatever costs the least and makes them the most money, and since we can't keep an eye on them individually it makes sense to do it collectively.

But that's not the case here. If I visit the farm, see my animal, watch the milking process, and carry the milk off by myself or know exactly how it gets to me, then I am taking individual responsibility for its safety. To suggest that I am so misguided and incompetent at doing this that I need to be prevented from even having the option is insulting and wrongheaded.

If I rent out a corner of my vegetable garden to someone, then do they need to squat in their corner and eat all their vegetables before leaving the property to avoid breaking the law? Are the various farm vegetable delivery services subject to these interpretations?

July 14, 2011 letter to

Jeffrey F. Rosen
District Attorney
70 W Hedding St, West wing
San Jose, CA 95110

Dear Mr. Rosen -

I begin this letter in appreciation for our democracy - the rights its promises its most fortunate citizenry - and with sincere thanks to your diligent office. I phoned at 9 AM on Friday, July 1. Unsure of a response on a holiday week-end, I received an admirable call back by 10 AM. This speaks highly for your commitment to constituents.
The individual with whom I spoke articulated your position well. Although I am sure no disrespect was intended, I was rather dismayed when your office reiterated no - less than three times - that the fine couple running Evergreen Acres was, "in the wrong profession". This was her reply to their inability to afford equipment for a product that belongs outright - already - to its shareholders. You have even been graciously invited to test the product as the confidence in it runs just that high.
Although your office was polite, I suspect in may not be as well-informed to our capacity to access raw goat dairy - especially for those, like myself, who cannot tolerate cow products . No, contrary to your office's advise, Whole Food does not carry it. No, the advise "to google" other farmers in the area is also incorrect as Evergreen Acres is it. IT! They are the only goat farm in the entire Bay Area that allows concerned and compassionate people to OWN their own goat - to visit the respected, impeccably-cared for animal, pet it, play with it, and yes, drink of it - if they so choose. This is an incontestable right.
Please do not excuse the following question as facetious but I must wonder if your office is planning on placing similar restrictions of any and all lactating women in Santa Clara County? They too, own their bodies. However, their milk too, is unpasteurized. Unlike the goats, you cannot verify the diet nor lifestyle of every woman who chooses to feed her child in the most natural and nutritious manner. Is not every, single breast-fed infant in Santa Clara County subject, then, to DCSF scrutiny? Will new mothers be required to purchase a tank - that they cannot afford - to store whatever breast milk they pump for later consumption? What will be the consequence for their inability to do so? Our most vulnerable citizens should take priority over rational adults who have done their research on the topic and use their tax-paying funds to enter into a legal contract that supports the last of small farmers - once the backbone of a nation. Now? The backbone of my health. Literally.
My diagnosis of lupus, a severe auto-immune challenge, requires a diet dense in immune-boosting whole foods. If I, like the mothers and infants above, am denied access to something that is legally mine, the detriment to my health could prove catastrophic. Curiously, I have been prescribed everything from steroid therapy to even Viagra for lupus (Apparently, the FDA does approve the use of Viagra for a woman - in her thirties - with purple toes and fingers from poor circulation - a common lupus complication.) I take neither, Mr. Rosen. I prefer goat yogurt. I implore your office to consider the hypocrisy of 'acceptable' side effects from pharmaceuticals when food ‘safety’, according to our phone conversation, is the impetus of your actions.
Again, your assertion of Evergreen Acres, "being in the wrong profession," cannot escape my conscience nor frankly, proper etiquette. Perhaps your office meant to say, "They are in the wrong crop." Instead of goats - that are owned by shareholders - if Evergreen Acres grew corn which they then sprayed with pesticides allegedly causing Colony Collapse Disorder of bees, they would probably be well subsidized by our same government. Therefore, they could afford tanks, and any other apparatus your office deemed appropriate.
Though my sister was only eleven at the time, she did raise prized chickens as a 4-H member. The only color of her ribbons was blue - like my fingers will be again without my yogurt. She cared for them as Evergreen Acres does care for MY goat. Mine. Legally. Including all that MY goat can provide. However, now, I am lead to wonder if we had the right then to consume fresh eggs - from highly decorated fowl - for breakfast? Though she was a minor, am I obligated to report my sister?
Please do not mistake the tone of this letter as sarcastic. Just the opposite, sir. I am flabbergasted and my utter inability to comprehend the infringement of my basic right - in violation here - leaves me unable to express myself otherwise.
As a reasonable human being first, and civil servant second, I suspect this matter will soon be rectified in a sensible manner.
There are rights; there are privileges. As one who prefers an attitude of gratitude, 'right' and 'privilege' read as synonyms to me. I could not access the internet in China nor drive a car in Saudi Arabia. What are my rights - too oft taken for granted, would be privileges to so many. Writing this letter to you - in too many countries to name - could end my life. However, the longevity of my life, or at least its quality, is directly affected by my cherished right to own a goat. And drink its milk. I hold voting as a right and privilege - whether for the President of the United States or a DA of a county.
Please expect this same letter to arrive by post - appropriately the same week as the Fourth of July. Much like the history of raw milk in agricultural America before the Industrial Revolution - followed recently by conglomerate farming, I would like to support the United States Postal Service. They, like small family farms, struggle to remain relevant in a society redefining what exactly constitutes 'modernity'.
Again, for your office to take the time to phone me and explain your position, I remain quite grateful. Thank you for extending the same consideration.

Goat owner,
Thank You and Best Regards

To Whom It May Concern:

I am frustrated and disappointed that I’m unable to use Evergreen Acres boarding services and receive the milk my goat provides. Herd shares are legal in California, and you are violating my rights by not allowing me to make a contract with Evergreen Acres, and by restricting my access to my goat and her products.
I have suffered from chronic headaches for seven years, and follow an organic whole foods diet to manage this condition. Raw goat milk is an integral part of this diet. I easily digest it, and value the nutritious vitamins and enzymes that are present due to the raw nature of this milk.
I am a public health professional and concerned citizen, I’m outraged that local, state and/or federal government can violate my access to my goat and her products. As an informed consumer, I would like to make my own decisions about food. Small farms are disproportionately affected by increased (and often misguided) regulation. I urge a speedy resolution to any issues with Evergreen Acres and goat share agreements!
Sincerely,

Goat shareholder,
MPH, Berkeley, CA

Comments from San Francisco Chronicle #1
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

I am a herdshare member at Evergreen Acres. The DA's office is claiming that Evergreen Acres must have a commercial dairy license to operate and that the herdshare is just a cover for them being a commercial dairy. With a commercial dairy, you can just walk into a supermarket and buy a carton of milk, and you won't know where it came from, who the farmers are, how they run their operation, etc.. I don't see how this relates at all to Evergreen Acres where I have a signed, legal contract with the farmers to board my goat and provide me milk, I know who the farmers are, and I can drop by the farm anytime to see how things are run. When's the last time you went into the supermarket and signed a contract in order to buy milk? Evergreen Acres is not a commercial dairy in any sense, and what's more, I don't want to buy milk from a commercial dairy that cleans their tanks with chemicals, feeds their animals who knows what (corn actually makes cows, which are meant to eat grassy plants only, sick), and milks sick animals, allowing pus into the milk supply, which is then pasteurized and homogenized to cover it up. (Take a look at the documentary, "Food Inc," for more info on this. Also see the new film, Farmageddon, about the government's assault on family farms.) You have to ask yourself why chemically-treated milk from sick animals fed on corn which they never evolved to eat is legal, while wholly natural milk from a healthy goat which I legally own and which is raised in a manner which respects the goat's evolution is supposedly not legal.

This is massive government overreach which serves no constructive purpose whatsoever. These farmers have around 20 goats capable of milking at any one time, they were barely breaking even, and they cannot afford an expensive dairy license costing tens of thousands of dollars and large cash outlays for buildings and equipment to qualify for the license in the first place. They have harmed no one, and there have been no complaints from their customers -- quite the contrary. All the DA's office may succeed in doing is financially destroying two hard-working people providing a valuable product to their local community, while at the same time benefiting large dairies providing an inferior product. The DA's office is also violating my rights to enter into a private contract with whomever I wish without their interference. This is wrong, wrong, wrong, and people are taking notice. Leave this farm alone!

TO Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment that I am not allowed to continue getting my goat milk from Evergreen Acres through my goat share agreement. It is absolutely outrageous to me that the government is dictating what I may or may not consume.

Raw goat milk through Evergreen Acres has been one of the best things health-wise that has ever happened to my family. My first daughter was brought up on store bought pasteurized milk and ended up with horrible food allergies that we are still trying to heal.

I became a goat share member after the birth of my second daughter and she has no allergies and is extremely healthy. I contribute this in large part to a diet filled with healthy, clean raw milk, kefir, and yogurt. My children and I need this great source of raw milk to stay well and I urge you to let us continue getting what belongs to us and what we have every right to consume.

I fully understand the very small risk and know without a doubt the benefits way outweigh the risks. We are all thriving now on our raw milk and absolutely need it to continue.

Please allow Evergreen Acres to continue their services to those who need it and please allow Mike and Jane to get back to their livelihood and small farming.

Thank you.
CEO, SF, CA 94114
June 15,2011

TO Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my opinion as a concerned citizen of San Jose. I am personally disenfranchised by your recent actions in regards to Mike and Jane Hulme, owners of Evergreen Acres Goat Farm.

Your actions have directly negatively impacted my life. Live, raw milk is intrinsic to my health. I am deeply invested in my health, and have been researching health strategies for over fifteen years. I am an empowered and informed consumer. I completely understand the very small risk of consuming live raw milk, and I have the right to decide what is appropriate for my body.

I know from professional research and personal experience that I need raw goat milk. I cannot digest pasteurized dairy, and I require raw dairy as a cornerstone of my diet. Since purchasing a goat share with Evergreen Acres my health has improved significantly. I have this inalienable right to health, and I should not be disenfranchised by you.

I bought a goat share with a boarding agreement with Evergreen acres. I do not buy milk from Evergreen Acres. I have ownership rights to my goat at Evergreen Acres and I have a right to use its milk in any way I choose.

Mike and Jane Hulme are outstanding members of our community. They are excellent, honest and extremely hard-working people who truly care for their animals and the humans who visit their farm. Mike and Jane run a clean, beautiful facility. You should treasure their contribution to our region.

I petition you to stop disenfranchising me in my right to my own health, and I urge you to support Mike and Jane Hulme of Evergreen Acres. These are the type of business owners that you should be encouraging and supporting if you truly care about the wellness of our region.

I appreciate your work, and I thank you for hearing my concerns.

Sincerely,

June 15, 2011
Associate Processor
San Jose, CA 95134
West valley Mission College

Letter to District Attorney Jeffrey F. Rosen
Office of the District Attorney
70 West Hedding Street - West Wing
San Jose CA 95110

Dear Sir,
I am a Goat owner at the Evergreen farms. I am really disappointed that I am not able to use the Evergreen Acres Boarding services and receive my milk that my goat provides.
I have been suffering from a rare physical condition caused by Gluten allergy that results in high levels of inflammation in the body (high C - reactive protein) that leads to acute joint and muscle swelling. I used to find it difficult to walk and function. After years of looking for a way to address the issue, I found a lot of relief from raw Goat milk and Kifer. I have been on it for the last 3 years, thanks to Evergreen Acres. My experience with raw goat milk and Kifer shows that there is no substitute to it and the process of pasteurization definitely kills all the enzymes in it, as many studies have shown so far.
Also, when it comes to safety and hygiene, I have found the raw products from Evergreen Acres are safe for consumption. I have been drinking it everyday for the last 3 years and there has not been a single instance of contamination. Compared to this, I have had multiple instances of stomach upset from the pasteurized milk bought from the grocery stores.
There have been many studies on how nutritious the raw milk is compared to dead pasteurized milk and I choose to drink the raw milk that is more nutritious and beneficial to my health.
Leaving out the great health benefits and the safety of the food, here is a bigger question for me. I own a goat and I want to drink milk out of that and why should anybody be stopping me from doing it? I am really puzzled by this question. Regulations are good, and I wonder why the Government is using regulatory organizations to stop something that is proven beneficial to the health. While people are becoming more and more aware of how the natural food can help us heal, instead of encouraging these businesses and making things easier for them, I wonder why the Government is discouraging them.
After knowing all the facts from the beneficiary of the consumer of the raw milk, I hope that you will not take way this great health resource from me.
Everybody understands how important the small businesses are for our economy and why they need to be protected. Here is an opportunity for you to protect this small business. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Engineer of Silicon Valley
Fremont, CA 94536

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing as a voice to defend Evergreen Acres. Several years ago I found Jane when I was searching for raw goat dairy. I was thrilled to know that she made yogurt and kefir as well. I do not live in a zone where I can have a goat on my land and this was the very next best alternative for me to buy shares of a goat that she could keep on her land.

Several years ago I was very sick with a chronic illness for which I could not find a cure. I am lactose intolerant but I could tolerate goat dairy. My two toddlers also experienced food sensitivities, colic, constipation and unexplained rashes on our old diet of pasteurized dairy and processed foods. When I switched to raw dairy that is a good source of healthy probiotics, and eliminated all sugar and processed foods, my kids and I both started to get better. We thank Jane and Mike for the ability to have our goat dairy weekly and do not know what we will do if they cannot continue helping us.

Please know that we have never been sick from dairy from our goats at Evergreen Acres. They have a very clean facility in order to serve their customers.

I am very thankful for what they do. Please do not put them out of business with unnecessary restrictions, licensing and facility costs that they do not have the man-power or money to handle. They are a small, family-run operation and their business model works well as is.

Sincerely,
Redwood City, Ca. 94061
Mom of 2 kids
June 6, 2011

To whom it may concern:

I am devastated by the news that you have closed down some of the operations at Evergreen Farm, and I have lost my ability to buy raw goat milk.

I first started drinking raw goat milk about 8 months ago when my nutritionist suggested I do a raw goat milk fast for health reasons. I was lucky enough to be traveling to Oregon at the time, so it was easy to do the fast, as raw goat milk is available easily at health food stores. I want to tell you that I have never felt so healthy as during and when I completed that fast.

When I got home to Piedmont, California, I immediately began to search for a source for raw goat milk and was so happy when I found Evergreen. Jane made sure I followed the correct procedures, and I signed the goat share agreement to become a legal member of the farm. Since then I have been a loyal and committed owner of the operation and Jane has been reliable and informative in terms of the operation of the facility. PLEASE DON’T TAKE THIS IMPORTANT RESOURCE AWAY FROM ME AND THE OTHERS WHO RELY ON THESE VALUABLE PRODUCTS.

I understand that there are certain California laws that a dairy farm are required to follow and I also understand that Evergreen has every intention of following the law. As a small dairy these costs can be devastating and threaten its very survival. PLEASE ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE TO ASSURE THEIR SOURCE OF INCOME AND THEIR SURVIVAL AS A VERY VALUABLE ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY, WHILE THEY WORK TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. REMEMBER, THEY HAVE FOLLOWED ALL REQUIRED LAWS (AS A HERD SHARE FARM).

May I also bring to your attention that in many countries in Western Europe raw goat milk and raw cow milk are much more commonly available and generally accepted in the population, without these stringent guidelines. Raw milk is healthier, has more nutrients and tastes better than homogenized, pasteurized milk (which, by the way, I do not, and will never, drink.)
I deserve to be able to choose the supplier of my choice, and your decision denies me this right. This decision is NOT in my best interest.
Your decision to withdraw this product from access to those of us who rely on it for our health is much too extreme, and I urge you to be more lenient in your treatment of this very valuable asset.
Sincerely,

Mediator
Piedmont, CA 94611
June,2011

To Whom It May Concern:

In a country that prides itself on hardworking men and women, on many a story of rags to riches, on freedom, I am appalled at what the DA's office and the CDFA is doing to our small time farmers, Mike and Jane Hulme, owners of Evergreen Acres Goat Farm. Aside from your efforts to put these kind, hard-working farmers out of business in the midst of the highest unemployment in our state's history, you have no right to so underhandedly take away our freedom to choose what foods we choose to eat.

High powered lobbyists can afford to support the Dairy Industry over the small time farmers who offer healthy, raw, dairy products who know the benefits. The raw dairy farmers faced this kind of situation just a few years ago in CA and the grass roots endeavors clearly showed that such strong-armed methods that you now are employing on this farm are unjustified.

What is at stake here is our basic rights and freedoms for our personal choices as consumers and as farmers. Your pursuit of these goat farmers is malicious. You do nothing to "protect" us, the public. Instead you mar the very foundation of what our constitution guarantees us - a pursuit of happiness and equal rights. But Lobbyist have made what should be equal, unequal based on money.

I have visited Evergreen Acres farm many times, bought shares of the goats, and with a view toward health, consumed their wonderful raw dairy products. As a doctor of Oriental medicine specializing in endocrinology, I have recommended this alternative to all my patients.

You really must cease and desist this unwarranted harassment of this Farm.

PHD,DM
San Jose, CA 95135

Attention: Santa Clara County DA; CDFA

I am outraged concerning the actions you are taking against Evergreen Farm. Since herd shares are not illegal, by default they are “Legal”! We have the Right to enter into private contracts without interference by state or local government officials whom we PAY with Our Taxes.

Shame on all of you! In these times of unprecedented fiscal hardship since the Great Depression, you try to put a hard working family out of business.

This is insane, nor is it legal.

Goat shareholder
San Jose, CA 95134
July 1, 2011

To whom it may concern:
I wish to add my displeasure with what the DA and assistant DA (and others) are doing to take away our rights to choose how we want to manage our health. I have been a share holder in the herd share program for going on two years. I have never heard one complaint from anyone about the care of the goats and how the milk was handled. (I pick my milk up at the farm) As the raw milk is legal and the herd shares are legal, what are your criteria for trying to put them out of business? I can only assume that big business has gotten to you. I will certainly remember all your names when the next election comes around,

Hopefully you will see the error of your ways and decide to drop this case.

Goat shareholder
Senior citizen
San Jose CA 95126
July 11,2011

To whom it may concern,

I have been outraged by the DA office legal (or illegal) proceedings against Evergreen Acres. What right does a representative, that supposedly represents ME, have to take away my property? Aren't there enough real cases fro the DA to prosecute these days?

I have a gluten intolerance which has damaged my health and immune system to the extent that I cannot tolerate cow's milk. I was so happy to find Mike and Jane's farm with the most healthful, sweet tasting milk which far exceeds anything I can get at the store. I was thrilled to enjoy this creamy taste again and the goat milk kefir I make is actually healing my system. But, you are trying to stop me from getting to my own goat.

I even took it to a 89 year old woman whom the doctors gave a 2 week death sentence because of her failed kidneys. Here she is 3 months later and she says it is all because of her daily dose of the kifer. I don't know if I can claim all the reasons for her constitution, but she would want me to mention this.

Please come to your senses and attend to some real crimes,

Goat shareholder
Los Altos, Ca. 94024
July,2011

We are devastated by the news that you have closed down some of the operations at Evergreen Farm, and that we have lost the ability to enjoy the raw goat milk from our goat.

We are writing as voices to defend Evergreen Acres. Several years ago we found Jane when searching for raw goat dairy. We were thrilled to know that she made yogurt and kefir as well. We do not live in a zone where we can have a goat on our land and this was the very next best alternative for us to buy shares of a goat that we could keep on her land.

Everybody in our family is lactose intolerant, but we can tolerate goat dairy. We experienced food sensitivities, colic, constipation and unexplained rashes on our old diet of pasteurized dairy and processed foods. When we switched to raw dairy that is a good source of healthy probiotics, and eliminated all sugar and processed foods, everybody in our family started to get better. We thank Jane and Mike for the ability to have our goat dairy weekly and do not know what we will do if they cannot continue helping us.

Please know that we have never been sick from dairy from our goats at Evergreen Acres. They have a very clean facility in order to serve their customers. We are very thankful for what they do. Please do not put them out of business with unnecessary restrictions, licensing and facility costs that they do not have the man-power or money to handle. They are a small, family-run operation and their herd share business model works well as is. Please don’t take this important health resource away from us and others who rely on these valuable nutrition products. We understand that there are certain California laws that a dairy farm are required to follow and we also understand that Evergreen Acres has every intention of following those laws and standards where necessary. As a small dairy these costs can be devastating and threatening to its very survival.

Please allow them to operate as before, to assure their source of income and their survival as very valuable asset to the community, while they work to meet your requirement. Remember they have followed all required laws by operating privately with herd share agreements.

May we also bring to your attention that in many countries in Western Europe raw goat milk and raw cow milk are much more commonly available and generally accepted in the population, without these stringent guidelines. Raw milk is healthier, has more nutrients and tastes better than homogenized, pasteurized milk (which, by the way, we do not, and will never, drink.)

We deserve to be able to choose the supplier of our choice, and your decision denies this right. This decision is not in our best interest. Your decision to withdraw this product from access to those of us who rely on it for our health is much too extreme, and we urge you to be more lenient in your treatment of this very valuable asset.
Best regurds,

Goat shareholder
Engineer of Silicon Valley
Santa Clara, CA 95051
June 17,2011

To whom it may concern,

In this time when so many are out of work, homeless, and using food stamp subsidies, it is irresponsible and heartless for government agencies to shut down suppliers of jobs and healthful foods.

It is not the province of officious bureaucrats to halt private transactions between customers of food producers. No official “expert” is qualified to second-guess consumers who often are far more intelligent independent researchers than status-quo officials.

I have enjoyed the healthful products of Evergreen Acres for the past two years. We goat share owners have the right to use our own goat products. We seek out healthful products and humane, enlightened farmers who give exceptional care to the animals, the land, and their partner herd-sharers.

My health has greatly improved since using Evergreen products. I cannot tolerate low-quality, pasteurized dairy products and will be deprived of this important food group if high quality raw milk producers are outlawed in California

Be aware, there is a large contingent of aware consumers who will not tolerate infringements on our right to select foods we are capable of researching for quality, nor is it acceptable for bureaucrats to eliminate producers of products deemed healthful in the large, independent market place for quality foods.

We will vote to stop interference in the production and distribution of natural raw dairy products – which nourished humankind as far back as herding began. Government regulation and corrections should strictly be limited to the vast industries producing artificial and highly-processed, unhealthful and unproven products that currently flood the market and weaken the health of the populace.

Truth in labeling, and honest transparency of production methods are needed to offset the decline in public health. Intelligent consumers will choose appropriately, for it is our health and that of our families at stake.

I am outraged at the dictatorial cessation of consumer choice and Evergreen Acre’s closure. My health, my rights, and productive jobs are threatened; reverse this ruling now.

Kensington, California
June 18, 2011

To Whom It May Concern,

Please consider this a testimonial and a letter of support for Goat and Cow programs in CA.

I am a strong supporter of any business enterprise where the owners take pride in what they are doing and that pride shows in the quality of the end product.

Every business should have their doors open to the end consumer to come and view the process, especially in the food industry. This open door policy allows us, the consumers, to feel comfortable about the product we are receiving and consuming. You will rarely find this kind of policy in a large corporation, and that is all the more reason why small enterprises should be supported.

I understand the need for standardization and regulation of milk sold in public; it protects consumers who are not able to perform inspections themselves. But somehow this policy has become twisted into preventing ambitious people who are doing a marvelous job from making a living. I would sincerely hope that policy is inspired by a genuine care for my well being and not for monetary gain of a nameless organization.

Please allow us the right to take some responsibility for ourselves. I would like nothing more than to shake the hand of the person growing my food, thus supporting their dream and my health.

Regards,
Hayward, CA 94544
July 2011

To Whom it May Concern,

I would like to voice my concern for the unfair treatment of the Evergreen Acres Farm in San Jose. This farm has been providing much needed services to our community and it's tragic to see the city trying to shut down their operations.

I am a firm believer in supporting local farms, and this is one of the best! Their animals are healthy and humanely treated and the community deserves to have this gem of a farm at their fingertips!

Please reconsider the cease and desist order and allow the farm to operate for the betterment of our community!
Thank you,

Co-Leader
Holistic Moms Network
San Jose Chapter
July 2011

o whom it may concern:

I own part of a goat and board it at Evergreen Farms. I chose to do this because of a medical problem.
Raw goat milk has cured my problem and we choose to continue using raw goat products to ensure our ongoing health.
No government agency has the right to tell me I can not have access to my own milk. If you think you do, then show me the law in writing that explicitly says, and I mean explicit, that a goat owner has no right to their own goat and goat product for their own personal use. You can not show me, because it does not exist. I am waiting to have access to my goat products asap. You are hindering our health, forcing us to use products we do not want to. All for a political game and some tax revenues. You have no legal right to deny me access to my goat and I intend to hold your agency responsible for this breach.

Thank-you

D.F and family
Monte Sereno, Ca. 95030
July 2011

To Whom It Might Concern:

Our names are a goat shareholder of Evergreen Acres. We live in Pleasanton. Our daughter Katerina (6 y.o.) is allergic to cow milk. She was not tolerating well the pasteurized goat milk from the stores either.

Someone suggested we try fresh goat milk. By the way, before formula was invented, babies all over the world, including USA, were fed raw goat milk as a replacement for their mothers milk.

After giving fresh goat milk to our daughter Katerina, we noticed that she was thriving on the fresh goat milk. So, since we are not allowed to keep a goat at our small house with a backyard, we decided to board a goat at Evergreen Acres Farm.

We signed the herd share agreement and paid for a goat share membership. Since we live in Pleasanton, we cannot travel every day to the farm to pick up our milk. My husband usually comes once a week to the farm.

We are a busy family and we cannot travel 3 hours per day in traffic back and forth as a whole family, including a young child, just to drink a glass of goat milk at the farm. We need to pick it up once a week and it lasts us a whole week.

Thank you for your understanding,
Please, help us to get our fresh goat milk back!

Pleasanton, CA 94566
July 22, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

Please stop harassing these law-abiding farmers who are trying lawfully to produce a quality product. Surely you have better things to do.

Last year, via goat shares, I regularly enjoyed Evergreen Acres' raw goat milk. It was fresh. tasty, and healthful. This year I have not yet been able to get my milk and it's outrageous that your action may remove this healthful option entirely. Your tactics give government a bad name. Please reconsider.

Sincerely,

PE(ret.), MPP, MPH
Berkeley, CA 94707
June 2011

To whom it may concern

I am a goat herd share owner with Evergreen Acres Goat Farm and have been denied access to fresh raw goat milk since Evergreen Acres was shut down by the CDFA. I believe that the CDFA is acting outside the laws of California that regulate herd share agreements and private contracts. I understand that the District Attorney, Jeffrey F. Rosen, has closed down Evergreen Acres until they become a licensed dairy. I understand that this is not a viable option for the farm and I believe that the DA has ulterior motives in his legal actions against the farm.

I would like to see the CDFA, the DA and the Deputy DA, Nahal Iravani-Sani investigated in this matter. I would like to know what other small scale farms they have threatened and / or shut down and the legal basis for their actions.

As a goat herd share owner with Evergreen Acres Goat Farm , I am more than completely satisfied with the quality of their goat milk. I prefer to get my goat milk from a small farm where I have access to the farmers and can inspect and observe for myself the quality and cleanliness of their operation. Evergreen Acres is my only access to fresh raw goat milk and I have a legal contract with them for my share. I believe the CDFA action against Evergreen Acres Goat Farm is illegal and should be dismissed immediately.

Sincerely,

Goat shareholder
Engineer of Silicon Valley
Oakland, CA 94611
July 2011

To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing this letter on behalf of Evergreen Acres Petting Farm to protect their rights and let them help people to privately have access to healthy milk, eggs and so on, and continue scheduled visits by many kids who enjoy the beautiful friendly small animal farm.

We were visiting Evergreen Acres Petting farm for years and always enjoyed their great quality produce. Our kids and friends of our kids always have a great fun time to pet goats, chickens and observe the natural healthy way to raise farm animals.

It is great to have such a nice farm near a big downtown. It is very valuable for us to have healthy choice of food for our family. We really hope Evergreen Acres Farm will stay in business as a herd share farm so that our young generation will have a choice and rights to enjoy healthy food!

Thank you,

July 22, 2011
San Jose, CA95138

Dear Moms,

Let's help a small goat farm to stay in business. Please read this email and one I will forward to you next.

If this "legal" nonsense will continue, our new generation, our kids, grandkids won't even know what healthy food free of hormones is…..

Our bureaucracy does everything to make it impossible for small farms to stay in a business.

This is the same case with the over regulation of healthy foods.
Let's help! ( Please read this and next emails).

Thank you,
Russian_Mom group owner/moderator
San Jose, CA
July 2011

Letter to Jeffrey F. Rosen
District Attorney
70 W. Hedding St, West Wing
San Jose, CA 95110

Cc: Deputy DA Nahal Iravani-sani

Dear Mr. Rosen,

I am a goat share owner at the Evergreen Acres Petting Farm. I’ve been enjoying this freedom to get my food as fresh, delicious, and HEALTHY as it comes for ~2 years now. It was in great disbelief and horror when I discovered you shut this beautiful farm down…..and for what reason again? I don’t understand what possible gain there could be for anyone in this action (except maybe you in a very selfish and illegal way…..let’s just call this spade for what it is because there’s clearly nothing illegal being done here). This is a catastrophic lose-lose situation for any consumer and/or small business trying to “do the right thing” and provide wholesome food. It is with great sorrow this action takes us back to having to buy homogenized, processed foods that are very bad for us in every way.

I should have the freedom and right to choose my foods and to contract and have privacy from state regulation. You have the choice to go buy whatever foods you like; it’s also our constitutional rights to buy food from the place of our choice and I choose fresh unprocessed foods right from the source.

Unfortunately I actually voted for you. I won’t make that mistake again.

Sincerely,

Goat shareholder
Business Owner
San Jose, CA 95120
June 22, 2011

the right to choose - Raw Milk

Herd share are NOT ILLEGAL

Evergreen Acres Goat share program