John Carlson for Idaho
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Idaho Cottage Food Bill

3/4/2015

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IDAHO COTTAGE FOOD BILL 2015

One of my strong interests when running for state senate was to implement legislation to enhance the opportunities of the small farmers of District 5 and the state by removing restrictions on value-added farm products.  Originally H106 was written to accomplish that, but was high jacked by H187 which would add limits and restrictions to value-added farm operations.

Individuals who currently sell at the Farmer’s Market who gross over $30K would have to limit their business.  This would force successful businesses to either invest in a commercial kitchen (a substantial cost) or limit their activity

Rather than supporting economic development and encouraging entrepreneurship, this bill would discourage individuals from doing cottage foods.  Research by Health & Welfare in Washington State (who has a similar law), found that there are only about 200 people registered to do Cottage Foods. Individuals are either ignoring the law or they are no longer doing cottage foods.

 Conversely, Wyoming has no $ limit, no registration & no inspection.  The law has been in place for a few years with no report of related food borne illnesses.

As an aside, H106 has the language that supports current practices and supports cottage food producers who produce non-hazardous foods. This bill would increase opportunities for value-added agriculture in Idaho.  Please show your support and contact your Representative

Rep. Carolyn Troy: (208) 669-0076 Cell (Text Ok) or email ctroy@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Clark Kauffman: (208) 326-4131 or email ckauffman@house.idaho.gov

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Where is the Goodness of Man?

3/3/2015

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As I watch the clouds scurry across the sky, casting shadows on the bright green field, a field that should have snow on it, I am contemplating the various issues that affect our state and our nation.  From protestors being arrested in Boise, to the national uproar over the Israeli Prime Minister’s message to the US Congress, to the Idaho Legislature’s discussion about allowing non-doctor-present abortions over the internet, I can’t help but think that the answer to these and the many other social problems that plague our state, nation and world lie much deeper than a new law or international pact.

The answers lie at the very core of human nature.  Those who see our nature as basically good would argue that given the right environment, we will all grow up to be good, law-abiding citizens.  I find it difficult to see any positive evidence of this in any society, regardless of its social structure.  Band-Aid politics is an attempt to make this type of system work by pasting our society with rules and regulations to make things better.  So far there is not much evidence that it works.

Reality suggests that we do not start life as basically good people.  Rather, we are flawed from the beginning. We need to emphasize the importance of the spiritual aspect of our lives and make sure that we have internalized the truths of God in order to have a viable, functioning society.  We have gone afar from this perspective and unless we return, we will find ourselves in greater difficulty in the years ahead.


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    I ran for Idaho Senate in the 2014 election.  I lost, but my interest in the issues of Idaho has increased and I will use this blog page to discuss them

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