Michael Schmidt reports from the road to justice, with raw milk freedom riders

From raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt:

No words can describe this better than this little girl at the raw milk rally (in Minneapolis on Monday of this week) — Pboto by Jennifer Lindahl

I am honored to have been part in all three Freedom Riders events, in Maryland at the FDA headquarters, in Wisconsin at Vernon Hershberger’s trial and in Minneapolis at the jury trial of Alvin Schlangen (which got postponed due to overload of the courts till next week).

In the meantime several significant developments have been taking place across this continent. Amongst them at Organic Pastures in California which had to face several recalls in the last 6 months combined with severe criticism for it’s handling of the situation. 

Mothers threatened with criminal charges plan to openly defy MDA

From Liz Reitzig at Raw Milk Freedom Riders:

Farmer Charged Criminally for Providing Fresh Food to Mothers

Minneapolis, MN—Several Minnesota mothers who organize community access to local fresh farm foods plan to risk criminal charges by openly and publicly defying warnings from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).  The MDA has threatened several mothers, conducted investigations against them and sent them warning letters that if they continue helping provide fresh food to their friends and neighbors, they will be subject to criminal charges and prosecution.  The MDA alleges the Mothers are violating food-handling regulations.

Videos from the Vernon Herschberger rally and the Raw Milk Freedom Riders

Thanks to Liz Reitzig and Michael Schmidt:

Rights workshop to teach farmers how to respond to attacks by government

From David E. Gumpert, on the Complete Patient blog:

Constitutional expert Michael Badnarik, who will be speaking at the special Rights Workshop in Wisconsin March 1. Photo via The Complete Patient blog.

“Farmers and food club managers who come under attack by government enforcers are often at a loss about what to do next.

Will they invite government retribution if they try to publicize what has happened?

What do they tell food club members?

Should they hire a lawyer or represent themselves?

Should they comply with what the regulators are demanding, or resist?

What protections do they have under the law, and under the U.S. Constitution?

Raw milk freedom riders plan a 2-day event March 1st, 2nd, in Wisconsin, in support of farmer Vernon Herschberger

From the Raw Milk Freedom Riders website:

Statue, Liberty?

“Join the RAW MILK FREEDOM RIDERS and Farm Food Freedom Coalition for an incredible two-day event Thursday, MARCH 1 and Friday, MARCH 2, 2012 in Sauk County, Wisconsin.

DAY ONE: Rights Workshop

Thursday, March 1, 2012 2:00 PM-5:30 PM followed by a Farm Food Dinner

(Space is limited.  Reserve your seat today.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to exercise your right to the foods of your choice!)

RSVP: RawMilkFreedomRiders@gmail.com

FDA escalates war on Amish dairy farmer Dan Allgyer over raw milk crossing state lines

From Liz Reitzig of the Raw Milk Freedom Riders:

Kinzers PA – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) apparent war on Amish raw dairy farmers increased on December 6 when they filed a “motion for summary judgment,” with Pennsylvania judge Lawrence Stengler asking for a permanent injunction against dairy farmer Dan Allgyer to forbid him from selling fresh milk out of state. FDA regulation 21 CFR §1240.61 criminalizes any selling of milk intended to cross state lines.

After a two year expensive, exhaustive undercover operation, including multiple armed raids on Allgyer’s farm, FDA agents and a team of ten federal lawyers amassed over two hundred and seventy-six pages of evidence allegedly proving what Allgyer openly admits, that he is selling fresh (raw, unpasteurized) milk to customers who knowingly carry the milk across state lines.

Raw milk freedom riders in Chicago

From Thea Maria Carlson on The Biodynamics Blog:

Michael Schmidt speaking to the crowd

“In the second of a series of events organized by the Farm Food Freedom Coalition to defy the prohibition on transporting raw milk across state lines, last Thursday, December 8th, a group of “Raw Milk Freedom Riders” brought 100 gallons of milk by caravan from Wisconsin to Chicago’s Independence Park. Upon arriving at the park, the caravan was joined by supporters wielding cow bells and cookies, braving the 30-degree weather to stand up for their food freedom.

The rally featured speeches by several well-known activists in the fight for raw milk, including Max Kane, a Wisconsin raw milk advocate who organized the Chicago event, David Gumpert, author of The Raw Milk Revolution, and Michael Schmidt, the celebrated Canadian biodynamic dairy farmer who has been battling criminal charges for selling raw milk for years.

As Raw Milk Freedom Riders rally in Chicago, government renews its legal prosecution of raw milk farmers

From David E. Gumpert, on The Complete Patient blog:

Michael Schmidt addresses the crowd at yesterday's rally with the Raw Milk Freedom Riders protesting the ban on interstate transport of raw milk in Chicago. Illinois.

“The Raw Milk Freedom Riders were organized to shift the legal heat of the federal and state war against raw milk from farmers to consumers.

Committing a crime? Max Kane, at Chicago rally, pays “agent” Mary Bercke for raw milk she has just brought from Wisconsin.But events Thursday illustrated how difficult that task is going to be. Whereas the U.S. Food and Drug Administration answered a November 1 demonstration outside its headquarters with a pledge not to interfere with consumers bringing raw milk across state lines for their own personal use, the agency chose to send a different message for this demonstration.

Raw Milk Freedom Rider Liz Reitzig on plans to transport raw milk across state lines, distribute it in Chicago Dec. 8th

Many thanks to activist mom Liz Reitzig for taking time on the eve of her departure for Chicago to answer questions from The Bovine.

Liz Reitzig at the Raw Milk Freedom Riders' rally in Maryland last month.

How would you describe your role in the Raw Milk Freedom Riders?

My role in the Raw Milk Freedom Riders is as one of the primary organizers.

How did you and your family get started on raw milk?

Moms to transport 100 gallons raw milk across state lines, distribute it Dec. 8th

From Richard S. Gubbe, in the Rock River Times:

Raw milk at FDA Headquarters, the site of the last Raw Milk Freedom Riders event in Maryland. Kimberly Hartke photo

“The Raw Milk Freedom Riders, a group that comprises “Food Freedom Advocates” from across the United States, will be staging a raw milk transport over the Wisconsin border and into Chicago Thursday, Dec. 8, culminating in a rally at Independence Park.

The caravan and “Free Milk and Cookies” rally has been organized to protest the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) policies regarding interstate commerce regulation of the sale and distribution of raw milk. Wisconsin law prohibits such sales by independent farms, while Illinois laws allow the sale of raw milk by farmers to consumers.