Raw Milk Panel Discussion

The Health Shoppe is organizing an exciting educational event for the community!  Raw milk is illegal in 10 states and the District of Columbia.  Many NJ residents travel to Pennsylvania and New York to obtain this ‘dangerous’ substance.  NJ is looking to pass legislation that would allow local dairy farmers to sell their raw milk directly to consumers.  Come to the Morristown EcoCenter to take part in this forum and learn more about the pros and cons of raw milk and what the new legislation would mean to you.

Pam Schoenfeld is a registered dietitian who has a private practice in Morristown.  She has seen first hand the damage caused by the consumption of over-processed and de-vitalized foods on her clients' health.  While she has not recommended raw milk to her clients due to the current ban on sales in New Jersey, she has seen remarkable improvements when people follow traditional healing diets.  Her wish is to see raw milk available to all New Jerseyans who desire to consume it, as well as other raw dairy products such as butter and yogurt.  She is a co-founder of Garden State Raw Milk, a grass-roots campaign begun in 2006 (in her kitchen no less!) to legalize raw milk sales.  GSRM is a project of the Foodshed Alliance of Blairstown, and has successfully moved the raw milk bill through the New Jersey Assembly earlier this year, due to the unrelenting and enthusiastic support of citizens across our state.  Now the goal is to move the bill through the NJ Senate, and then get Governor Christie to sign it into law. 

Joseph Heckman, Ph.D. is a Professor of Soil Science Rutgers University where he teaches courses in Soil Fertility, Organic Crop Production, and Agroecology.  He conducts research and extension programs on optimizing nutrition and soil quality in support of plant, animal, and human health. Dr. Heckman has served as Associate Editor of Journal of American Society of Horticulture Science, Chair of the Council on History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Soil Science, and Chair of the Committee on Organic and Sustainable Agriculture.  Dr. Heckman is current President of the Northeast Branch of the Crops, Soils, and Agronomy Tri-Societies.  In 2008, Dr. Heckman hosted a seminar series on Raw Milk at Rutgers University.  Based on a review the raw milk literature, Dr. Heckman supports the position of informed consumer choice.  

Ken Hoffman grew up working on farms.  In 1997 he started Havenwood Farm in Newton, NJ.  Starting with horses then to chickens and then 3 years ago he started 100% raising pasture-raised grass fed Brown Swiss dairy cows.  Hoffman is currently putting together his milk room and creamery in preparation for the legalization of raw milk. 

Registration is required.  Register with Tammy@thehealthshoppes.com or call The Health Shoppe (973) 538-9131 (ext 120)