YAKIMA, Wash. -- Baby Wild Films of Seattle produced last March “Dairyman Blues” about large dairy operations in the Lower Yakima Valley. Why its just making the rounds here now I’m not sure.

In any case, view it at
http://www.youtube.com/user/BabyWildFIlms#p/a/2/LHK5WTYOGig

Despite the title, the film is about the blues facing local residents who live near the dairies. It features some interesting confrontations between dairy owners and the cameraman. Local activist Jan Whitefoot of Harrah also confronts Bill Dolsen, whose family runs a large dairy in Granger called the Cow Palace.

Here’s the blurb offered by the filmmaker: “This powerful 10-minute internet documentary from renowned filmmaker Michael Harris uncovers the filth and fury of factory dairy operations in Washington's Yakima County, and local activist Helen Reddout's heroic efforts to make them clean up their act. Nominated recently for an Emmy Award for News Programming, Advanced Media."

— Leah Beth Ward