In spite of many natural advantages, many Wisconsin farmers face difficult times in the 21st century, often because of their government. Government rules and regulations which are frequently the result of political lobbying and deals which hurt both consumers and farmers in Wisconsin.

“Government never furthered any enterprise but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way.” – Henry David Thoreau

There are two examples of reform legislation now being considered in Wisconsin which can allow some of the unique advantages of this state and hard work of our farmers to benefit  the state as a whole.

One bill will allow farmers to grow another crop. The measure would require the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (instead of the the Federal Drug Enforcement agency) to license farmers to grow and process Cannabis sativa (industrial hemp), as they were able to do until the 1950s.

Wisconsin is a great natural environment to grow industrial hemp. The fibers of this plant can be used  for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, and fuel, with commercial success. In the past three years, hemp food products have grown considerably. Presently, hemp and hemp products are often imported from Canada.

Hemp is a fast growing biomass product and one of the earliest domesticated plants known. Hemp is environmentally friendly, requiring few pesticides, no herbicides and useful as a rotational crop.

Why are Wisconsin farmers prohibited from growing industrial hemp? Because the plant is related to the plant used as “marijuana” and the Feds won’t allow it. Does it make any practical or constitutional sense for the Feds to prevent Wisconsin farmers from growing this ancient crop?

Another crazy law from the ‘50s afflicting the farmers of America’s Dairyland  is one which prevents consumers from purchasing fresh or  unpasteurized milk. Federal and state health officials say all uncooked animal products are inherently dangerous.

Fresh dairy proponents insist that unpasteurized milk is tastier, healthier, and easier to digest. Many people who drink raw milk report improvement or disappearance of troubling health issues – everything from allergies to digestive trouble to skin problems like eczema. Ultimately, shouldn’t informed consumers be the ones to decide whether to purchase this natural product?

Fresh milk would probably not show up in the supermarket dairy case but people could legally purchase it directly from a family farm, just as many do now with eggs, vegetables, and fruit.  Wonderful raw dairy products like cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, butter, and fresh cream have rich, creamy, sweet and incredibly fresh flavors, perfect fit for the Dairy State.

Government control freaks, of course, insist that they just want to “save” us from ourselves. Apparently, the 1950s was a decade of growth for government authoritarianism and the “nanny state,” bent on telling everyone what was best for them. If we have learned from those mistakes, we can help Wisconsin farmers and consumers with just a little bit of common sense and passage of those two bills.

Enough is enough.