Farmer Michael Schmidt working with Conservatives and disgruntled cream producers to pave the way for wider legal access to raw milk in Ontario

This is an excerpt from the latest newspaper story on the Michael Schmidt case, from the Owen Sound Sun Times:

Spotlighted here by a power point projector, Michael speaks here to a rally of over 200 supporters in Newmarket last month following his not-guilty court verdict on nineteen charges related to raw milk.

“…..Karen Selick, a spokesperson for the CCF, in a media release following Schmidt’s recent legal victory said that consumers who want freedom of choice expect their government to make the transition to the 21st century and respect their rights.

The legislation banning the sale or giving away of raw milk is more than 70 years old.

First steps towards Ontario raw milk producers group taken Saturday in Guelph — Michael Schmidt in B.C. now for rally and court this morning, Feb. 1

Ontario raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt with Bert and Alice Jongerden of Home on the Range cowshare, January 31, at their home near Chilliwack, B.C. Thanks to Gordon Watson for the photos.

Word just in from Michael Schmidt that he was out standing in Alice Jongerden’s yard in Chilliwack B.C. last night with Gordon Watson. He says he will be at the rally and court hearing this morning in Vancouver, in support of Home on the Range cowsharers.

Crackdown on raw milk buying groups in Massachusetts being officially denied

Here’s an excerpt from the latest raw milk intelligence briefing from David E. Gumpert at the Complete Patient blog:

“For years, Massachusetts has epitomized a sensible approach to raw milk. It provides permits to dairies selling raw milk directly from the farm. And it’s tolerated buying groups that deliver milk from the rural central and western parts of the state to Boston in the east, and other urban areas.

Now, all of a sudden, the state seems unwilling to turn a blind eye to the buying groups it has tolerated for some years. In the last year, three have been sent cease-and-desist orders by the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources. The latest to receive such an order is Blanche Lennington of Granny B’s Raw Milk Buying Group, in western Massachusetts, which serves about 15 customers. She says that when she called the state official who signed the order, she was told it originated from a complaint from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.