92.
You Can Be Jailed
For Selling And Drinking Farm Fresh Milk
One hundred years ago milk came from the cow to your doorstep. Other than bottling, there was little processing involved and you basically knew which farm your milk came from.
Today the process isn’t as simple. With dairy, it’s more complicated. Each bottle has at least three different companies associated with it – the farm that raised the cow, the cooperative that bought and transports the milk, and the processor that bottles and distributes it. Bottled milk on your grocer’s shelf is “commingled” – meaning it doesn’t come from one farm, but a combination of different places. With vegetables and poultry one company often oversees the entire process, but with milk it’s not so easy to know exactly where your food came from.
But it hardly matters where it comes from because milk from factory farms can only be described as white blood. Cows in these ‘farms’ are artificially inseminated, fed feed that they are not designed to digest and given hormones to produce 100 pounds of watery milk a day.
This is several times more than they would produce naturally. As a result, a huge percentage of dairy cows suffer from mastitis, a bacterial infection of the udders. Since this milk is still considered drinkable, the blood and pus from their infections, along with massive quantities of antibiotics, ends up in the milk on supermarket shelves.
Today the process isn’t as simple. With dairy, it’s more complicated. Each bottle has at least three different companies associated with it – the farm that raised the cow, the cooperative that bought and transports the milk, and the processor that bottles and distributes it. Bottled milk on your grocer’s shelf is “commingled” – meaning it doesn’t come from one farm, but a combination of different places. With vegetables and poultry one company often oversees the entire process, but with milk it’s not so easy to know exactly where your food came from.
But it hardly matters where it comes from because milk from factory farms can only be described as white blood. Cows in these ‘farms’ are artificially inseminated, fed feed that they are not designed to digest and given hormones to produce 100 pounds of watery milk a day.
This is several times more than they would produce naturally. As a result, a huge percentage of dairy cows suffer from mastitis, a bacterial infection of the udders. Since this milk is still considered drinkable, the blood and pus from their infections, along with massive quantities of antibiotics, ends up in the milk on supermarket shelves.
Injecting cows with Monsanto’s rBGH growth harmone only worsens the already sad picture.
And even milk processing plants are big, big factories where visitors are not allowed. Here milk shipped from the farm is completely remade. First it is separated in centrifuges into fat, protein and various other solids and liquids. Once segregated, these are reconstituted to set levels for whole, low-fat and no-fat milks; in other words, the milk is reconstituted to be completely uniform.
The butterfat left over will go into butter, cream, cheese, toppings and ice cream. The dairy industry loves to sell low fat milk and skim milk because they can make a lot more money from the butterfat when consumers buy it as ice cream. When they remove the fat to make reduced fat milks, they replace the fat with powdered milk concentrate, which is formed by high temperature spray drying.
All reduced-fat milks have dried skim milk added to give them body, although this ingredient is not usually on the labels. The result is a very high-protein, low fat product.
The milk is then pasteurized at 161 degrees F by rushing it past superheated stainless steel plates. If the temperature is 200 degrees the milk is called ultrapasteurized. This will have a distinct cooked milk taste but it is sterile and can be sold on the grocery shelf. In other words, they don’t even have to keep it cool. The bugs won’t touch it. Once processed, the milk will last for weeks and months, not just days.
Many people, particularly our children, cannot tolerate the stuff that we are calling milk that is sold in the grocery shelves. Milk is nature’s perfect life-giving food which builds strong bone, healthy organs and a strong nervous system. Industrial processing transforms this miracle food into an allergen and carcinogen.
And even milk processing plants are big, big factories where visitors are not allowed. Here milk shipped from the farm is completely remade. First it is separated in centrifuges into fat, protein and various other solids and liquids. Once segregated, these are reconstituted to set levels for whole, low-fat and no-fat milks; in other words, the milk is reconstituted to be completely uniform.
The butterfat left over will go into butter, cream, cheese, toppings and ice cream. The dairy industry loves to sell low fat milk and skim milk because they can make a lot more money from the butterfat when consumers buy it as ice cream. When they remove the fat to make reduced fat milks, they replace the fat with powdered milk concentrate, which is formed by high temperature spray drying.
All reduced-fat milks have dried skim milk added to give them body, although this ingredient is not usually on the labels. The result is a very high-protein, low fat product.
The milk is then pasteurized at 161 degrees F by rushing it past superheated stainless steel plates. If the temperature is 200 degrees the milk is called ultrapasteurized. This will have a distinct cooked milk taste but it is sterile and can be sold on the grocery shelf. In other words, they don’t even have to keep it cool. The bugs won’t touch it. Once processed, the milk will last for weeks and months, not just days.
Many people, particularly our children, cannot tolerate the stuff that we are calling milk that is sold in the grocery shelves. Milk is nature’s perfect life-giving food which builds strong bone, healthy organs and a strong nervous system. Industrial processing transforms this miracle food into an allergen and carcinogen.
What If You Want To Enjoy Natural, Farm Fresh Milk?
Sorry, you can not! It’s a criminal offence in countries like US, Canada and Australia. And with the spread of food fascism, it will become so in more and more countries. Even in India, the land of holy cow, pure milk is hard to find. 70% of the milk sold in the country is adulterated with synthetic ingredients.
The sale of fresh, raw milk directly to consumers is prohibited in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations since 1991.
No person shall sell the normal lacteal secretion obtained from the mammary gland of the cow, genus Bos, or of any other animal, or sell a dairy product made with any such secretion, unless the secretion or dairy product has been pasteurized by being held at a temperature and for a period that ensure the reduction of the alkaline phosphatase activity so as to meet the tolerances specified in official method MFO-3, Determination of Phosphatase Activity in Dairy Products, dated November 30, 1981.
—Section B.08.002.2
The sale of fresh, raw milk directly to consumers is prohibited in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations since 1991.
No person shall sell the normal lacteal secretion obtained from the mammary gland of the cow, genus Bos, or of any other animal, or sell a dairy product made with any such secretion, unless the secretion or dairy product has been pasteurized by being held at a temperature and for a period that ensure the reduction of the alkaline phosphatase activity so as to meet the tolerances specified in official method MFO-3, Determination of Phosphatase Activity in Dairy Products, dated November 30, 1981.
—Section B.08.002.2
Provincial laws also forbid the sale and distribution of raw milk. For instance, Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act, subsection 18 reads:
“No person shall sell, offer for sale, deliver or distribute milk or cream that has not been pasteurized or sterilized in a plant that is licensed under the Milk Act or in a plant outside Ontario that meets the standards for plants licensed under the Milk Act.”
In Australia, the sale of raw milk for drinking purposes is illegal in all states and territories, as is all raw milk cheese. This has been circumvented somewhat by selling raw milk as bath milk. There is some indication of share owning cows, allowing the “owners” to consume the raw milk, but also evidence that the government is trying to close this loophole.
In United States most states impose restrictions on raw milk suppliers due to concerns about safety. Mostly it is illegal to sell farm fresh raw milk. People try to circumvent these provisions by opening cow shares where the buyer owns a cow in the farm. But the noose is tightening on these marginal farmers. Big agribusiness is going after them as evidenced by the following incidents.
“No person shall sell, offer for sale, deliver or distribute milk or cream that has not been pasteurized or sterilized in a plant that is licensed under the Milk Act or in a plant outside Ontario that meets the standards for plants licensed under the Milk Act.”
In Australia, the sale of raw milk for drinking purposes is illegal in all states and territories, as is all raw milk cheese. This has been circumvented somewhat by selling raw milk as bath milk. There is some indication of share owning cows, allowing the “owners” to consume the raw milk, but also evidence that the government is trying to close this loophole.
In United States most states impose restrictions on raw milk suppliers due to concerns about safety. Mostly it is illegal to sell farm fresh raw milk. People try to circumvent these provisions by opening cow shares where the buyer owns a cow in the farm. But the noose is tightening on these marginal farmers. Big agribusiness is going after them as evidenced by the following incidents.
Multi-Agency Armed Raid Hits Rawesome Foods, Healthy Family Farms For Selling Raw Milk And Cheese
Mike Adams, Natural News, August 3, 2011
A multi-agency SWAT-style armed raid was conducted this morning by helmet-wearing, gun-carrying enforcement agents from the LA County Sheriff ’s Office, the FDA, the Dept. of Agriculture and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
Rawesome Foods, a private buying club offering wholesome, natural raw milk and raw cheese products (among other wholesome foods) is founded by James Stewart, a pioneer in bringing wholesome raw foods directly to consumers through a buying club. James was followed from his private residence by law enforcement, and when he entered his store, the raid was launched.
Law enforcement demanded that all customers (members) of the store vacate the premises, then they demanded to know how much cash James had at the store. When James explained the amount of cash he had at the store — which is used to purchase product for selling there — agents demanded to know why he had such an amount of cash and where it came from. The raid was conducted like a terrorist operation.
Rawesome Foods, a private buying club offering wholesome, natural raw milk and raw cheese products (among other wholesome foods) is founded by James Stewart, a pioneer in bringing wholesome raw foods directly to consumers through a buying club. James was followed from his private residence by law enforcement, and when he entered his store, the raid was launched.
Law enforcement demanded that all customers (members) of the store vacate the premises, then they demanded to know how much cash James had at the store. When James explained the amount of cash he had at the store — which is used to purchase product for selling there — agents demanded to know why he had such an amount of cash and where it came from. The raid was conducted like a terrorist operation.
As the twenty-first century dawns, American culture is in a mess… the system has lost its moorings, and, like ancient Rome is drifting into a dysfunctional situation.
~Morris Berman (The Twilight of American Culture)
Feds not only seized cash and raw milk supplies (much of which was also dumped out) but also mangos and other fresh, organic produce.
James was handcuffed, was never read his rights and was stuffed into an unmarked car. While agents said they would leave behind a warrant, no one
has yet had any opportunity to even see if such a warrant exists or if it is a complete warrant.
This was an ILLEGAL raid being conducted mob-style by government thugs who respect no law and no rights. This is an all-out war by the government against people who try to promote healthy raw and living foods. Later they raided his home too.
James is now being held at the Pacific division police department at Centinela and Culver in Los Angeles. He is being held at $123,000 bail with no possibility of using bail bonds. Law enforcement has demanded that if he comes up with the money to cover bail, he must disclose to them all the sources of that money. (This is an illegal demand!)
Sharon Palmer, a mom and owner of Healthy Family Farms was also arrested and taken to jail. A third woman, Victoria Bloch, the LA County liaison for the Weston A Price Foundation, was also reportedly arrested.
All three are reportedly being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime. What crime? The “crime” of advocating raw milk for consumers!
This raid was an act of economic terrorism against a legitimate, ethical business selling wholesome, healthful products to a very happy group of members.
Massive public protests are needed to teach these criminal law enforcement agencies that they cannot illegally arrest and persecute individuals merely for buying and selling raw milk and cheese. We are organizing a public protest day in cooperation with James.
See this video of James Stewart talking about his farm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foKg-oShJP0
Video of the raid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1gvPmA_c8
Here’s background on Healthy Family Farms which was also targeted in the raid:
Healthy Family Farms in Santa Paula, California:
“Healthy Family Farms is a sustainable, pasture-based farming operation. We raise all our livestock on pasture. We raise all of our animals from birth. We do not feed any of our animals soy, choosing instead to feed animals as they are designed to be fed. This results in healthy, sturdy animals needing no hormones, antibiotics, or other artificial “enhancements.” We harvest our animals humanely by hand before they are delivered to the farmers markets. We never freeze our products. In addition to farmer’s markets sales, we have an active Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which offers discounts to our valued members.”
James was handcuffed, was never read his rights and was stuffed into an unmarked car. While agents said they would leave behind a warrant, no one
has yet had any opportunity to even see if such a warrant exists or if it is a complete warrant.
This was an ILLEGAL raid being conducted mob-style by government thugs who respect no law and no rights. This is an all-out war by the government against people who try to promote healthy raw and living foods. Later they raided his home too.
James is now being held at the Pacific division police department at Centinela and Culver in Los Angeles. He is being held at $123,000 bail with no possibility of using bail bonds. Law enforcement has demanded that if he comes up with the money to cover bail, he must disclose to them all the sources of that money. (This is an illegal demand!)
Sharon Palmer, a mom and owner of Healthy Family Farms was also arrested and taken to jail. A third woman, Victoria Bloch, the LA County liaison for the Weston A Price Foundation, was also reportedly arrested.
All three are reportedly being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime. What crime? The “crime” of advocating raw milk for consumers!
This raid was an act of economic terrorism against a legitimate, ethical business selling wholesome, healthful products to a very happy group of members.
Massive public protests are needed to teach these criminal law enforcement agencies that they cannot illegally arrest and persecute individuals merely for buying and selling raw milk and cheese. We are organizing a public protest day in cooperation with James.
See this video of James Stewart talking about his farm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foKg-oShJP0
Video of the raid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1gvPmA_c8
Here’s background on Healthy Family Farms which was also targeted in the raid:
Healthy Family Farms in Santa Paula, California:
“Healthy Family Farms is a sustainable, pasture-based farming operation. We raise all our livestock on pasture. We raise all of our animals from birth. We do not feed any of our animals soy, choosing instead to feed animals as they are designed to be fed. This results in healthy, sturdy animals needing no hormones, antibiotics, or other artificial “enhancements.” We harvest our animals humanely by hand before they are delivered to the farmers markets. We never freeze our products. In addition to farmer’s markets sales, we have an active Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which offers discounts to our valued members.”
There is need to send a message to the law enforcement tyrants that we will not tolerate our health food stores being terrorized by criminal cops and rogue federal agencies.
Spread the word, folks. Enough is enough! We must take a stand against this government-run campaign of terror against health food retailers. It is time to stop government-run terrorism against health food stores.
It’s time we fought back and let these criminals know we will not be treated like food slaves by a corrupt, criminally-run government that wishes to force everyone to drink DEAD MILK and DEAD CHEESE (which they know cause disease).
This is it, friends! Big Government has declared war on the innocent. The administration, which has already gone out of its way to promote yet more GMOs in the food supply, is now overseeing government-sponsored terrorism against the health food movement. If you don’t take a stand against this, you might as well lay down, surrender to Big Brother, and eat your soylent green.
We are fighting for our basic rights and freedoms against a police state cabal of criminals who now run our federal government and will stop at nothing to turn innocent citizens into gulag prisoners.
Spread the word, folks. Enough is enough! We must take a stand against this government-run campaign of terror against health food retailers. It is time to stop government-run terrorism against health food stores.
It’s time we fought back and let these criminals know we will not be treated like food slaves by a corrupt, criminally-run government that wishes to force everyone to drink DEAD MILK and DEAD CHEESE (which they know cause disease).
This is it, friends! Big Government has declared war on the innocent. The administration, which has already gone out of its way to promote yet more GMOs in the food supply, is now overseeing government-sponsored terrorism against the health food movement. If you don’t take a stand against this, you might as well lay down, surrender to Big Brother, and eat your soylent green.
We are fighting for our basic rights and freedoms against a police state cabal of criminals who now run our federal government and will stop at nothing to turn innocent citizens into gulag prisoners.
‘Raw Milk’ Farmer Fined $9,150 And Put On Year Probation
By Linda Nguyen, Postmedia News, Nov 25, 2011
An Ontario dairy farmer was fined $9,150 and placed on a year’s probation for making and providing raw milk and cheese through a cow-share business.
Michael Schmidt was found guilty on appeal last September on 13 charges related to the production, sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk under the province’s Health Protection and Promotion Act.
An earlier court decision in January 2010 had acquitted Schmidt of all the charges.
In Canada, it is illegal to market, sell, distribute or deliver unpasteurized milk or cream. Schmidt admitted he supplied raw milk to 150 families through a cow-share business in which he sold $300 memberships for partial shares in 26 cows he keeps at Glencolton Farms, about 2 1/2 hours northwest of Toronto.
Michael Schmidt was found guilty on appeal last September on 13 charges related to the production, sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk under the province’s Health Protection and Promotion Act.
An earlier court decision in January 2010 had acquitted Schmidt of all the charges.
In Canada, it is illegal to market, sell, distribute or deliver unpasteurized milk or cream. Schmidt admitted he supplied raw milk to 150 families through a cow-share business in which he sold $300 memberships for partial shares in 26 cows he keeps at Glencolton Farms, about 2 1/2 hours northwest of Toronto.
He argued raw milk has greater health benefits than pasteurized milk and that consumers should have a right to decide what to put in their bodies.
Ontario Justice Peter Tetley acknowledged the more than 60 people in the courtroom Friday were a testament to Schmidt’s character.
“(Mr. Schmidt) is a man of principle,” Tetley told the court. “He’s willing to fight for his principles. There’s a lot to admire about Mr. Schmidt.”
Despite this, Tetley said he had no choice but to hand down the sentence. He also acknowledged there are many people in the province, the country and even in his own family who consume unpasteurized milk to no ill health effect, but said there was still a “public health component” to the case.
“The present legislation is inconsistent, at best,” said Tetley, explaining that it is not up to the courts but the government to change current laws.
Schmidt also took the stand. When asked if he wanted a glass of water, he replied “No, milk please” to laughter in the courtroom.
Schmidt was charged in 2006 following an undercover police operation and armed raid of his farm. In 1994, he was fined $3,500 on similar charges.
Earlier this month, the outspoken farmer ended a month-long hunger strike following an impromptu meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Ontario Justice Peter Tetley acknowledged the more than 60 people in the courtroom Friday were a testament to Schmidt’s character.
“(Mr. Schmidt) is a man of principle,” Tetley told the court. “He’s willing to fight for his principles. There’s a lot to admire about Mr. Schmidt.”
Despite this, Tetley said he had no choice but to hand down the sentence. He also acknowledged there are many people in the province, the country and even in his own family who consume unpasteurized milk to no ill health effect, but said there was still a “public health component” to the case.
“The present legislation is inconsistent, at best,” said Tetley, explaining that it is not up to the courts but the government to change current laws.
Schmidt also took the stand. When asked if he wanted a glass of water, he replied “No, milk please” to laughter in the courtroom.
Schmidt was charged in 2006 following an undercover police operation and armed raid of his farm. In 1994, he was fined $3,500 on similar charges.
Earlier this month, the outspoken farmer ended a month-long hunger strike following an impromptu meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Have some small cottage, and grow your own food grains, vegetables, and have your cow’s milk. Get nice foodstuff, save time. Why should you go in the city, hundred miles in car and again hundred miles come back and take unnecessary trouble? Stick to this spot and grow your own food, your own cloth, and live peacefully, save time, chant Hare Krsna. Very nice program. This is actual life. What is this nonsense life, big, big cities and always people busy? If he wants to see one friend, he has to go thirty miles. If he has to see a physician, he has to go fifty miles. If he has to go to work, another hundred miles. So what is this life? This is not life. Be satisfied. The devotee’s life should be yavad artha-prayojanam. We require material necessities as much as it is required, no artificial life. That is spiritual life. Simply increasing artificial life, even for shaving, a big machine is required. What is this? Simply wasting time. Devil’s workshop. Make life very simple. And simple living, high thinking, and always conscious to go back to home, back to Krsna. That is life. Not this life, that simply machine, machine, machine, machine.
-Srila Prabhupada (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.49 -- New Orleans Farm, August 1, 1975)
A Peaceful Farmer On Trial For Feeding His Community
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), encouraged by the FDA, is spending tens of thousands of dollars to prevent Wisconsin citizens from having access to the foods of their choice.
“The gigantic industrial enterprises are products of a godless civilization.” Godless civilization, they no more can depend on the natural gifts. They think by industrial enterprises, they will get more money and they’ll be happy. And to remain satisfied with the food grains, vegetables and natural gifts, that is primitive idea. They say, “It is primitive.” When men were not civilized, they would depend on nature, but when they are advanced in civilization, they must discover industrial enterprises.
They do not know what is spiritual life, what is ultimate goal. Simply like cats and dogs. The dog jumps over with four legs, and if a man can jump over with four wheels, then that is advance. Just see. They think, “Now we are advanced. We have got four-wheel car to jump over. And the dog is jumping with legs. Therefore this is advanced.” They do not know this is also the same dog’s business. They do not know it.
...again they have made this car, coming from miles away, but the business is fishing. Just see. Bambharambhe laghu-kriya. “Advancement of civilization, we have got car, we are nicely dressed, we are human being, ev...” But what is your business? Fishing. Bambharambhe... Arambha, gorgeous arrangement — the business is the same. The skylark, what is called? Skylark? These birds?
Devotee (1): Oh, the seagulls. Seagull.
Prabhupada: Oh, seagull. They are doing the same business, and after his much advancement of civilization, he is doing the same business. The tiger is also eating flesh and blood, and human being — a scientific slaughterhouse. The same business, but they have got scientific instrument how to cut the throat quickly. This is the advance, advancement of civilization. The dog and cat they are having sex on the open street, and now they are talking of homosex in the school, colleges for education. This is their position. They do not know even what is the standard of human civilization. If you are doing the same business like ordinary animals, then where is the advancement of civilization?
—Srila Prabhupada (Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Mayapura, October 20, 1974)
They have used two methods; the “Fielder ruling”, and to prosecute peaceful farmers like Vernon Hershberger, who have contracted directly with individuals who actively seek fresh farm foods, including raw milk and other raw dairy products from his farm known as “Grazin’ Acres”.
He has rejected a plea bargain that could have kept him out of jail. He was told he could plead guilty to two of four misdemeanors. In exchange, he would have had to pay a fine, been placed on probation, and would have had to agree to never sell or distribute raw milk products in future.
It is specifically because Vernon Hershberger provides raw milk for his members that he is facing a week long jury trial with over 70 witnesses. 70 witnesses… for allegedly violating dairy licensing regulations, and defying a DATCP hold order allowing the 200 some people in his private food club access to their own food. A week long jury trial for misdemeanor charges is an incredible waste of tax payer dollars, and an abuse of power.
He has rejected a plea bargain that could have kept him out of jail. He was told he could plead guilty to two of four misdemeanors. In exchange, he would have had to pay a fine, been placed on probation, and would have had to agree to never sell or distribute raw milk products in future.
It is specifically because Vernon Hershberger provides raw milk for his members that he is facing a week long jury trial with over 70 witnesses. 70 witnesses… for allegedly violating dairy licensing regulations, and defying a DATCP hold order allowing the 200 some people in his private food club access to their own food. A week long jury trial for misdemeanor charges is an incredible waste of tax payer dollars, and an abuse of power.
At the center of this case is the billion dollar conventional dairy industry. Dairy is a global commodity, Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the nation behind California for milk production. Also a player in this is Monsanto, maker of rBGH growth hormones and producer of GM feed corn.
In a separate case in 2011, Judge Patrick J.Fiedler ruled …”no, plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of your choice… no right to contract with a farmer… no right to own a cow…” Three weeks later he resigned from the bench and joined a law firm that represents Monsanto. Google Fiedler Ruling, then http://axley.com/patrick-j-fiedler. Coincidence? Or erosion of our basic human rights and freedoms?
The point is we all need to get involved. We need to support ethical forward thinking and really hard working organic farmers. Our health, our kids health, the health of the planet depends on it.
In a separate case in 2011, Judge Patrick J.Fiedler ruled …”no, plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of your choice… no right to contract with a farmer… no right to own a cow…” Three weeks later he resigned from the bench and joined a law firm that represents Monsanto. Google Fiedler Ruling, then http://axley.com/patrick-j-fiedler. Coincidence? Or erosion of our basic human rights and freedoms?
The point is we all need to get involved. We need to support ethical forward thinking and really hard working organic farmers. Our health, our kids health, the health of the planet depends on it.
We need to establish our own – Local Food Rules. And we need to not be bullied by our own government when we opt out of the commercial food supply system. To feed ourselves is a basic human right. To choose what we eat and who raised and grew it is a constitutional freedom. These rights and freedoms are being meticulously eroded by rulings like Fiedler’s.
Many think the outcome of this trial has international significance. DATCP has been working with the FDA since at least 2009 to outlaw raw milk distribution, and kill any legislation introduced across the country that would make it legal. Vernon Hershberger’s trial is the first judicial test of Fielder’s ruling.
I don’t drink raw milk and I’m not a Hershberger Farm member. Does this effect me?
Yes! The reason this case is so important politically is that it isn’t just about whether Vernon has the right to distribute food privately, it is about whether all of us have this right on either end of the equation- to distribute food privately or to contract with producers to obtain food privately.
If Vernon is acquitted by the jury of his peers, the shock effects will reverberate throughout the country, and regulators will be forced to re-examine their crackdown on private food distribution. If Vernon loses, not only could he go to jail for more than a year, but regulators everywhere will be emboldened to go after private food more aggressively than ever. We owe it to our children to preserve their inherent right to make private food choices.
Who is Vernon Hershberger?
He is a 41 year old father of 10 children who is committed to his family and to serving the 200 or so members of his food club. He was raised as an Amish farm boy and even though his family left the Amish community a number of years ago, the family remains very conservative Christians who love to work together as a family.
Why is Vernon on trial?
Vernon refuses to stop feeding his food club community as the Government has ordered him to do. He feels he has the right, used by people for hundreds of years in this country and other countries, to distribute food under private contract to members of his community. He also feels it is his calling from the Lord to feed his brethren as the Bible teaches (John 3:16 & 17).
What is Vernon being accused of?
He is being accused of being a criminal for producing and distributing raw milk and other foods. The State, however, refuses to give him a license covering raw milk because it has no such license.
Is Vernon above the law?
Many think the outcome of this trial has international significance. DATCP has been working with the FDA since at least 2009 to outlaw raw milk distribution, and kill any legislation introduced across the country that would make it legal. Vernon Hershberger’s trial is the first judicial test of Fielder’s ruling.
I don’t drink raw milk and I’m not a Hershberger Farm member. Does this effect me?
Yes! The reason this case is so important politically is that it isn’t just about whether Vernon has the right to distribute food privately, it is about whether all of us have this right on either end of the equation- to distribute food privately or to contract with producers to obtain food privately.
If Vernon is acquitted by the jury of his peers, the shock effects will reverberate throughout the country, and regulators will be forced to re-examine their crackdown on private food distribution. If Vernon loses, not only could he go to jail for more than a year, but regulators everywhere will be emboldened to go after private food more aggressively than ever. We owe it to our children to preserve their inherent right to make private food choices.
Who is Vernon Hershberger?
He is a 41 year old father of 10 children who is committed to his family and to serving the 200 or so members of his food club. He was raised as an Amish farm boy and even though his family left the Amish community a number of years ago, the family remains very conservative Christians who love to work together as a family.
Why is Vernon on trial?
Vernon refuses to stop feeding his food club community as the Government has ordered him to do. He feels he has the right, used by people for hundreds of years in this country and other countries, to distribute food under private contract to members of his community. He also feels it is his calling from the Lord to feed his brethren as the Bible teaches (John 3:16 & 17).
What is Vernon being accused of?
He is being accused of being a criminal for producing and distributing raw milk and other foods. The State, however, refuses to give him a license covering raw milk because it has no such license.
Is Vernon above the law?
Absolutely not. He is following the law to the best of his knowledge and has tried his best to work with the State for the last 10 years. But he has been unable to keep up with all the varying interpretation and definition changes that have been applied to him and other Wisconsin farmers during that time. As a result, he decided several years ago that he should not be part of the state’s permit system, but should instead distribute milk and other foods his farm produces on a private basis to members of his farm.
Is raw dairy safe?
Like any food, raw dairy can make people sick if it isn’t properly produced and handled. If it is handled properly, it is as safe as any other food. Please see; http://www.westonaprice.org/press/flawed-government-report-thwarts-state-raw-milk-initiatives
This seems crazy! Has any other farmer gone through this?
Unfortunately, many owners of small farms have gone through this in the last 20 years, all over the country. The crackdown on small farms seems to be a result of government policies designed to aid large factory farms. The crackdown seems to have intensified as growing numbers of people have come to question the safety and nutritional quality of factory farm food and highly processed food produced by big food companies, and have organized food clubs and herd shares to acquire food directly from traditional small farms.
This attack on Vernon Hershberger is about milk as a global commodity. Sales of fluid milk are down nationwide which puts a strain on the profits of agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical giants. Demand for raw milk and other whole nutrient dense foods is growing which cuts into the market share of these powerful industries. Now for the vicious circle… Elected officials appoint agency secretaries who establish and direct food regulations. Industry giants contribute to campaigns of elected officials who also appoint judges. And suddenly an organic small family farmer feeding his community is a crime.
Is raw dairy safe?
Like any food, raw dairy can make people sick if it isn’t properly produced and handled. If it is handled properly, it is as safe as any other food. Please see; http://www.westonaprice.org/press/flawed-government-report-thwarts-state-raw-milk-initiatives
This seems crazy! Has any other farmer gone through this?
Unfortunately, many owners of small farms have gone through this in the last 20 years, all over the country. The crackdown on small farms seems to be a result of government policies designed to aid large factory farms. The crackdown seems to have intensified as growing numbers of people have come to question the safety and nutritional quality of factory farm food and highly processed food produced by big food companies, and have organized food clubs and herd shares to acquire food directly from traditional small farms.
This attack on Vernon Hershberger is about milk as a global commodity. Sales of fluid milk are down nationwide which puts a strain on the profits of agricultural, chemical and pharmaceutical giants. Demand for raw milk and other whole nutrient dense foods is growing which cuts into the market share of these powerful industries. Now for the vicious circle… Elected officials appoint agency secretaries who establish and direct food regulations. Industry giants contribute to campaigns of elected officials who also appoint judges. And suddenly an organic small family farmer feeding his community is a crime.
