Farmers market bills passed in legislature

The 2013 session was the one which took small steps to take our food supply back and loosen the government control at our dinner tables. Backyard gardens and the value of fresh products are touted on bumper stickers across this state: Who’s your farmer?

As you wander through the farmers markets in Montana this summer, you will see some changes due to this session’s legislative votes.

Many of us remember what the taste and look of a “real” fresh egg is. Our neighbors, Harold and Betty Turner, supplied us with fresh eggs for quite awhile until the bears discovered their laying hens. We miss the source of orange and yellow goodness but will be happy to purchase some from another producer in a local marketplace.

House Bill 399, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton, will allow a vendor to sell whole shell eggs to the public. The eggs will have to be kept at a certain temperature, and the carton labeled with the producer’s name. Good thing the hen doesn’t have to be identified or it would cost a government employee in each hen house.

Hot coffee or tea will now be allowed at future markets under House Bill 333, sponsored by Rep. Jean Price, D-Great Falls, but don’t expect to put fresh milk or cream in it. Members of the committee didn’t want to get into labels for each add-on to the hot beverages so left it out. I hope you like it black or bring your own cream.

If the raw milk bill had passed in the Senate this week, you would have been able to add fresh cream to your coffee. It didn’t get the required two-thirds vote, but we should expect it to resurface in a future session. There were hundreds of phone calls and e-mails and dozens of people showing up for the hearing, so the topic isn’t going away.

My canning exchange bill, Senate Bill 94, allows us to openly meet to exchange high-acid canned goods or dried fruits and vegetables with others who’ve canned too much of their own products. I also included beer makers in the open exchange since it is a growing hobby with many dabbling to create new recipes.

We will begin knowing our farmers’ names and start a long business relationship with them with passage of these bills. Each city in the Flathead has a farmers market opening soon, so now’s your chance to meet your local farmers. The new location for the Columbia Falls farmers market is Pinewood Park. I hope to visit with you while shopping there.

Perhaps the Iron Lady said it best: “People want to live in peace ... real, lasting peace … the peace that comes from independence of the state and being able to run your own life, spend your own money and make your own choices.” — Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) R.I.P. Here’s to fresh food and liberty.

Sen. Dee Brown, R-Coram, represents Senate District 2, Columbia Falls and Whitefish.