The LAST RANCH shares the author's experience of a family's concentrated efforts to try to bring back to life a splendid historical ranch in the hills of the south Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. An additional hand was their 12 year old son Eric, who had grown experienced in the ways of cattle and isolation during their three years of homesteading life in the Upper Squamish Valley, near Vancouver.

This bold and energy-intensive cattle ranch undertaking coincided with the ten year period of the highest inflation and interest rates which North America has ever experienced. This fact undercut the success of the project in an unexpected way. Impacting as well was the growth of bureaucracy which caused ongoing delays of their progress.

Known commonly in the 1970's as those 'back to the landers', the author and her husband had earlier known city lives of university educations and professional directions. Her husband's interests were devoted to Architecture which he put aside to pursue an alternative way of life.

The author also offers an updated examination of the ongoing loss of British Columbia ranches and the reasons behind these changes.

A new book by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.

Introduction by Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Foreword by Jeffrey M. Smith, author of the bestseller Seeds of Deception.

Endorsements include: Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Democrat, House Judiciary Committee; Mark Achbar, Executive Producer of the multiple prize-winning documentary The Corporation; Ronnie Cummins, National Director, Organic Consumers Association; and Dr. Joseph Mercola, found of the world's most visited natural health website.

A powerful exposé of the dangers of Monsanto's genetically engineered (rBGH) milk, and its no-holds-barred conspiracy to suppress this information.

rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) is a genetically engineered, potent variant of the natural growth hormone produced by cows. Manufactured by Monsanto, it is sold to dairy farmers under the trade name POSILAC. Injection of this hormone forces cows to increase their milk production by about 10%.

Monsanto, supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), insist that rBGH milk is indistinguishable from natural milk, and that it is safe for consumers. This is blatantly false:

• rBGH makes cows sick. Monsanto has been forced to admit to about 20 toxic effects, including mastitis, on its Posilac label.
• rBGH milk is contaminated by pus, due to the mastitis commonly induced by rBGH, and antibiotics used to treat the mastitis.
• rBGH milk is chemically, and nutritionally different than natural milk.
• rBGH milk is contaminated with rBGH, traces of which are absorbed through the gut.
• rBGH milk is supercharged with high levels of a natural growth factor (IGF-1), which is readily absorbed through the gut.
• Excess levels of IGF-1 have been incriminated as a cause of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
• IGF-1 blocks natural defense mechanisms against early submicroscopic cancers.
• rBGH factory farms pose a major threat to the viability of small dairy farms.
• rBGH enriches Monsanto, while posing dangers, without any benefits, to consumers, especially in view of the current national surplus of milk.

The risks of cancer to consumers and particularly their children, especially those enrolled in the Public School Lunch Program, are undisputable.

The book is a unique resource on rBGH milk. It presents Dr. Epstein's trailblazing scientific publications since 1989, which have played a major role in influencing other nations, including all of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to ban rBGH milk. The book also presents: the author's editorials and letters to major newspapers, and correspondence with the FDA, Congressman John Conyers, and other key members of Congress and the Senate.

Epstein also details evidence of interlocking conflicts of interest between Monsanto and the White House, regulatory agencies, and the American Medical Association and American Cancer Society. He also details evidence of Monsanto's white collar crime; the suppression and manipulation of information on the veterinary and public health dangers of rBGH milk; and evidence of Monsanto's "Hit Squad", which attempted to stifle and discredit him.

Of compelling interest is the story behind Fox Television's firing of Jane Akre, a veteran journalist, following her in-depth interview on rBGH with Dr. Epstein, his subsequent day-long deposition by Monsanto on her behalf, her subsequent litigation against Fox, and Fox's successful counter suit.

Monsanto's corporate recklessness, compounded by FDA's complicity and refusal to require labeling of rBGH milk, more than justify the rejection of any assurances of its safety. Of further interest is the critical relevance of this information to the ongoing growing concerns and debate on genetically engineered foods, including irrefutable evidence discrediting the "trust us" safety assurances of Monsanto, and other industries.

The book also presents resource materials, including listings of national and international anti-biotech, public health, veterinary and animal rights activist groups. Also listed are rBGH-free U.S. dairy producers, such as Horizon Organic, and Swiss Valley Farms.

What's In Your Milk's critical message to consumers is Boycott rBGH hormonal milk in favor of certified organic milk!

"Update 2010"