Home > New York State Dairy Inspector: Ray Scheesley

Ray Scheesley, New York State Dairy Inspector
Description of Conditions on Voith’s Property, June 6, 2003

To whom it may concern:

This letter is in response to a recent article that was featured in the New York Times concerning Steve and Linda Voith of Angelica, NY, and their situation involving that particular village.

My name is Ray Scheesley. I am a New York State Certified Dairy Farm (Milk) Inspector, licensed by NYS Dept of Agriculture & Mkts. I am employed by the National Farmers Organization, and also do inspections for C.R.O.P.P (Organic Valley Co-op. I have over ten years of farm sanitation inspection experience, to include a college degree, but enough about me.

In the early part of May, on the recommendation of a third party the Voith’s attorney, W. Ross Scott asked me, if I would be willing to actually “visit” the Voith farmette and give my professional opinion. I have never met them until this point, and I made it completely clear that I would remain totally neutral in this matter. A stance I still maintain. My “visit” did consist of a fact seeking mission, in which I feel maybe the public might find interesting, considering all the experts that have seem to have popped up in the village of Angelica, NY.

Were animals filthy, unfit or unclean: NO quite the opposite
Was the area full of Manure: NO area had one maintained compost pile.
Did area smell: NO, I do not know what people are smelling!
Are animals more like pets or farm Animals: PETS to their owners
Feed and water adequate: YES
Housing and or shelter adequate: YES
Animals properly being milked etc: YES

Area size suitable for number of animals: NO the problem issue

[Editor's Note: This statement was made about the  Voith's 2.5 acre home property.

The Voiths also have a 12 acre parcel nearby which cures the size problem.]

Those were the main issues I was to deal with. I do not deal in village laws and ordinances; it’s not my area of expertise. I cannot defend someone against violations of such laws if they are in place. I can defend them when people say that they are not sanitary or compliant to health and farm regulations, when in fact they are.

On a final personal closing note. I grew up in central Pennsylvania among the Amish and Mennonites, who daily run buggies through town and have farms right next door to all of our neighbors and us. Tons of cows and horses, and it has been like that since the 1700’s Oh yes and I forgot to mention, with all these cows and horses, funny dressed people and horse buggies running up and down in town, IT IS A GIANT TOURIST ATTRACTION drawing thousands of people yearly.

Ray Scheesley