Tenino milk producer says lawsuit, bad press have 'nearly ruined' business | Business

A Tenino milk producer who is being sued for distributing contaminated 'raw' milk in Pierce and Thurston counties says the business "is hanging on by it's fingernails."

In a statement posted on the Cozy Valley Dairy website, the owner says the lawsuit, bad press and community gossip have "nearly ruined" the business.

"Cows still giving lots of good milk...do I use it as fertilizer and hope that business will pick up, or should I send the girls to the slaughter house," the statement reads.

Cozy Valley Dairy was named in the lawsuit on Jan. 3 after three children became ill after drinking raw milk from the dairy.

In November, Cozy Valley recalled its raw whole and skim milk and cream after the State Department of Agriculture found at least three contaminated samples.

The dairy distributed its product in Pierce, King and Thurston counties.

Here's the entire statement posted on Cozy Valley Dairy website:

Firstly, I want to Thank You, my customers, friends and family for all of your support. 

Secondly, I'd like to let you know that recent publicity and gossip foisted upon Cozy Vale has nearly ruined us.  Cozy Vale is hanging on by it's fingernails.  If you'd like to see us continue our small farming enterprise, please let us know.  Most of you know how important local products are to our local economy.  I mean it's tough enough already being a Raw Milk Dairy Producer and add to it a lawsuit, bad press, and community gossip.  My God! 

I've learned that no good comes from talking to the press. I've learned that no good comes from not talking to the press.  I've learned that if someone sues you, you become guilty instantly...and you know what?  They know that.  I've learned that facts can be presented in a way that can be damaging or helpful and the choice is always for damaging, its just more delicious that way!  I've learned that gossip in a small community always divides it and destroys....um...I really thought better of my small community. 

Facts:

There never was any ecoli found in our milk product.  They did not find any ecoli in any of the milk samples taken.  And the WSDA sampled over 36 seperate containers of milk (that I counted anyway). They tested the milk that the sick person drank from, no ecoli found.  When my facility was swabbed down, they did not find ecoli anywhere that the milk would be.  They tried really hard to find it too...even went so far as to stick a swab up the ass of my cows! (Well not really, but thats what it felt like).  They did stick the swabs in old poop, steaming hot fresh poop, cows tails and udders.  I was horrified!

In 3 sample swabs, one in the milking room floor, the sponge mop head, and processing room floor ecoli was found.  It looks as if the mop had spread it around.  I am told that the strain of ecoli found on my dairy room floor was a common type...I do not understand all of that, and am still looking into that. 

Luckily, floor cleaning was an easy fix...it was fixed the very next day with a simple bleach solution.  We continue to bleach floors after each milking...amongst other precautionary measures that were also implemented. 

December 10th, the WSDA gave me the all clear signal after another round of swabbing.  Cozy's milk was back into most stores.

January 3rd, lawsuit filed, big bad ugly press, gossip abounds, and business in the tank...meanwhile, cows still giving lots of good milk...do I use it as fertilizer and hope that business will pick up, or should I send the girls to the slaughter house?