Events

Canadian Cowshare College 

One-day Basics Course

Saturday, 19 March 2011

9 am – 4:30 pm

This session is intended for producers and interested consumers.  It covers basic information on developing a dairy operation that will safely produce milk for direct consumption, and practical guidance in developing your own cowshare programme.

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At the end of this session, participants will have a basic understanding of:

• the biology of milk
• the safe production and handling of raw milk
• the legal framework currently required for a cowshare program
• developing, maintaining and managing cowshare member relationships

Included in this session:

• a full day of instruction with raw milk and cowshare expert Michael Schmidt
• tour of a raw milk dairy operation
• lunch and refreshments
• certificate of completion

copies of

• Raw Milk Production Handbook by Tim Wightman
• The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid
• Safe Handling:  Consumers’ Guide to Fresh, Whole, Unprocessed Milk by Peggy Beals

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Workshop Leader:  Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt has defended public access to healthy foods for almost two decades.  He has been the lightning rod in two major “Milk Wars” with local Boards of Health and the provincial government, spurred on by powerful industrial farming interests, and has successfully defended the rights of cowshare programme members to consume locally produced milk, produced specifically for direct consumption.  He has a Masters in Agriculture and more than 25 years’ experience in biodynamic farming.  Currently, he is involved in the rescue of a British Columbia cowherd operation, ordered to shut down by government officials.  Michael founded Cow Share Canada early in 2010, to establish a grassroots organization and infrastructure for consumers and producers to connect and learn more about sustainable agriculture and healthy foods.

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Topics

• The biology of milk
• Safe raw milk production farm management
• cow breeding
• feeding
• animal husbandry
• Safe handling of raw milk cleaning
• testing
• distribution from producer perspective
• Cowshare programmes legal framework
• current legislation – kowalsky raw milk ruling
• co-operative structure liability issues
• Cowshare member relations how to connect
• how to maintain and develop reliable partnerships
• how to manage expectations

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Location:  (Glencolton Farms) 393889 Concession Rd 2, RR 1, Durham, ON N0G 1R0

Cost:  $295 – payable by cash or cheque to Cow Share Canada on or before day of workshop

Click here to download a course description.

Click here to download an application form for the course.

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PAST EVENTS:

 

New Round of Cowshare College Courses in Durham, Fall 2010

Here’s the latest on Michael Schmidt’s Cowshare College. Perhaps you too would like to become a cow-share or farm-share farmer and serve your country raw milk.

After Michael Schmidt’s acquittal on all charges relating to his cowshare operation earlier this year, he responded to the intense interest from producers with the first Canadian Cowshare College in May.

Positive feedback and increased interest means we will be offering another Cowshare College Basics Workshop on Saturday, October 23rd from 9 am to 4:30 pm in Durham, ON.  Michael will lead the workshop and topics to be covered include the biology, safe production and handling of raw milk; the legal framework currently required for a cowshare program; and developing, maintaining and managing cowshare member relationships.

We will also be following up with those who completed the May workshop.  Cowshare College – Level II is a half-day workshop, from 9 am to 1 pm, that is the final step in the credentialling process for producers who wish to be on Cow Share Canada’s referral list, the first steps being the completion of the Basics workshop and the second being the successful inspection by an independent inspector.  At this session, more advanced material will be presented, and participants will have an opportunity to bring specific challenges and questions for discussion.

To get an application form for either workshop, email contact information to  csca@bmts.com or  arc@bmts.com and put “Cowshare College – The Bovine” in the subject line.  Please indicate which workshop you are interested in. (Note:  the Level II workshop is limited to those who have already completed the basic workshop).

The workshop fee for Cowshare College Basics is $295 and includes:  a full day of instruction; tour of a raw milk dairy operation; lunch and refreshments; and copies of raw Milk Production Handbook by Tim Wightman, The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid and Safe Handling: Consumers’Guide to Fresh, Whole, Unprocessed Milk by Peggy Beals.

The fee for Cowshare College – Level II is $150, and includes a half-day of instruction and discussion, a tour of a raw milk dairy operation with question period and refreshments.

Seats are limited for both workshops – reserve your spot soon.

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Canadian Cowshare College Course details:

One-day Basics Course

23 October 2010

9 am – 4:30 pm

At the end of this session, participants will have a basic understanding of:

• the biology of milk
• the safe production and handling of raw milk
• the legal framework currently required for a cowshare program
• developing, maintaining and managing cowshare member relationships

Included in this session:

• a full day of instruction with raw milk and cowshare expert Michael Schmidt
• tour of a raw milk dairy operation
• lunch and refreshments
• certificate of completion

copies of

• Raw Milk Production Handbook by Tim Wightman
• The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid
• Safe Handling:  Consumers’ Guide to Fresh, Whole, Unprocessed Milk by Peggy Beals

Workshop Leader:  Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt has defended public access to healthy foods for almost two decades.  He has been the lightning rod in two major “Milk Wars” with local Boards of Health and the provincial government, spurred on by powerful industrial farming interests, and has successfully defended the rights of cowshare programme members to consume locally produced milk, produced  specifically for direct consumption.  He has a Masters in Agriculture and more than 25 years’ experience in biodynamic farming.  Currently, he is involved in the rescue of a British Columbia cowherd operation, ordered to shut down by government officials.  Michael founded Cow Share Canada early in 2010, to establish a

Topics

• The biology of milk
• Safe raw milk production farm management
• cow breeding
• feeding
• animal husbandry
• Safe handling of raw milk cleaning
• testing
• distribution from producer perspective
• Cowshare programmes Legal framework
• current legislation – Kowalsky Raw Milk Ruling
• Co-operative structure liability issues
• Cowshare member relations how to connect
• how to maintain and develop reliable partnerships
• how to manage expectations

Location:  Durham, ON  (Glencolton Farms OR Edge Hill School – to be confirmed on registration)

Cost:  $295 – payable by cash or cheque on or before day of workshop

to apply:  Download application form

 

 

Canadian Cowshare College May 1, 2010

After his acquittal on all charges relating to his Cowshare operation, Michael is responding to the interest among other farmers to starting similar programs, and is offering the first Canadian Cowshare College, May 1st, 2010, from 9 am to 4 pm, in Durham, ON (exact location TBA). Topics to be covered include: the biology, safe production and handling of raw milk; the legal framework currently required for a cowshare program; and developing, maintaining and managing cowshare member relationships.

For more information or to register, email your contact information to arc@bmts.com and put “Cowshare College” in the subject line. You will be sent an application form/questionnaire. The program includes a full day of instruction; tour of a raw milk dairy operation; lunch; and copies of Raw Milk Production Handbook by Tim Wightman, The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid and Safe Handling: Consumers’ Guide to Fresh, Whole, Unprocessed Milk by Peggy Beals.

Road Trip to Glencolton Farms:

Join The Stop Community Food Centre to learn more about the controversial issues surrounding raw milk. On April 17, we’ll travel to Glencolton Farms in Durham, home of farmer Michael Schmidt, who has led a relentless, high-profile battle to continue to make raw dairy products available. Your day will include a tour of Mr. Schmidt’s operations, a discussion about raw milk, and lunch prepared at the farm by The Stop’s chef Chris Brown.

When: Saturday, April 17, 8 am to 6 pm. (Further details will be provided upon registration.)

How much: $150 (includes transportation, snacks en route and a hearty lunch).

Space is limited to 20 participants. Please contact Danielle at danielle@thestop.org or call 416-652-7867 ext. 250.

Above information is from the Good Food Revolution blog

Raw Milk Farmer Michael Schmidt is speaking Sunday March 14, 2010

from 4 to 5 pm at the Total Health Show in Toronto

 

 

 

FINALLY

A Court Ruling on Raw Milk in Canada
We will hear how the Court will decide on
Michael Schmidt’s Constitutional Challenge about our right to have the freedom to choose what we put in our body

January 21.2010 at 9 AM
In Newmarket Ontario
465 Davis Drive
in the old Tannery
(905) 898-0425

David Gumpert the author of the newly released book “The Raw Milk Revolution” http://www.davidgumpert.com is flying in from the US to watch the proceedings. He will do also a book signing and will give us a brief update about his research regarding the raw milk battle in North America.

We have an inside venue close to the court house for our rally between 12 and 4 pm. at the Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place at 464 Davis Drive  – right across the Street from The Tannery Court House.

We welcome ideas as to how we can celebrate a good ruling or ignite a passionate drive for the emerging Food Freedom Movement.

Please lets get to work mark your calendar and phone as many people as you can. Bring your Children, your mom and dad, your grandma and granddad your friends and lovers

From York Regional Police:

“To all supporters of Mr Schmidt and the RAW Milk movement,

If you are going to be attending the Tannery Court in Newmarket on Jan 21, 2010 to show your support for this movement and Mr Schmidt, we ask for your co-operation in a few matters.

1)      The court room assigned for the appearance only holds 66 people.  It is a provincial court room, and at this time, there is no other courtroom availible with more seating.  Once the courtroom is full, please do not fill the hallways in the court waiting area.  There is a limited capacity of seating there also.  Please remember that there are other courtrooms which are working that people have to attend.
2)      As there are other courtrooms in session at the time of Mr Schmidts appearance, please keep conversations low and do not create excessive noise in the court waiting areas.
3)      Once within the courtroom, please respect the proceedings and do not interupt.  Also please remove all headwear.
4)      Please do not bring banners, placards or signage into the Tannery Mall or Provincial Courts.  The management of Tannery Mall has requested that no signage be put up on any Tannery property, inside or outside the mall or parking area.
5)      Please be advised that parking is VERY limited in the Tannery Mall.  If possible use secondary parking areas.

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact PC Mike Quirk #1342 of York Regional Police, Operational Support.”