Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund News

Vernon Hershberger Trial Verdict: Acquitted on Three of Four Charges

Pete Kennedy, Esq. — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:07:38 +0000

In what Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund vice president Elizabeth Rich called a victory for the food rights movement, a Sauk County jury acquitted dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger on three of four criminal charges for violations of the Wisconsin food and dairy code after

The Vernon Hershberger Trial Begins Today

Pete Kennedy, Esq. — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:52:26 +0000

After months of contentious wrangling between attorneys for the state and the defense, the trial of the Loganville dairy farmer for four criminal misdemeanor violations of the Wisconsin food and dairy code begins today at the Sauk County courthouse in Baraboo with the selection of of the jury. Circuit Court Judge Guy Reynolds has

Episode 9: Farmer Vernon Hershberger’s Upcoming Trial

Kimberly Hartke — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:05:50 +0000

Episode 9 of the Food Rights Hour podcast is about the case of Amish dairy farmer, Vernon Hershberger. During this episode, host Kimberly Hartke talks to several of Vernon’s club members, folks who know firsthand the value of the farm-to-consumer relationship. We also hear from FTCLDF President, Pete Kennedy, about the case and from Co-Founder of Farm Food Freedom Coalition, Liz Reitzig, about the events surrounding the upcoming trial that begins on May 20th.

Farmer Faces Jail for Feeding Community

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:16:09 +0000

Customers and Other Supporters to Attend Court with Farmer
Food rights activists from around North America will meet at the Sauk County Courthouse in this tiny town on May 20 to support Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger and food sovereignty. Hershberger, whose trial begins that day, is charged with four criminal misdemeanors that could land this husband and father in

Dan Brown Hearing in Maine Food Sovereignty Case: Judge Finds Raw Milk Not a ‘Local Food’

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:19:53 +0000

In an incredible decision rendered on May 1st, the Hancock County Superior Court ruled against farmer Dan Brown on his motion for summary judgment. The Court instead granted summary judgment in favor of the State of Maine and issued an injunction enjoining Mr. Brown from selling raw milk and other

Canada: Shropshire Sheep Case

admin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:51:59 +0000

Michael Schmidt and Montana Jones face substantial jail time for allegedly violating a quarantine order on sheep that were no threat to the public health. Here is an account of the case.
Shepherdess Montana Jones began accumulating her flock of rare Shropshire sheep in 2000. Once an extremely popular breed due to their high productivity, their hardiness, and their ability to thrive on grass, Shropshires had

Colorado Authorities Arrest Nursing Mother for “Grazing Animals in the Municipal Right of Way”

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:04:15 +0000

On Sunday, April 7, Colorado farmers Ethan and Renee Abbott were sitting down to dinner with their two children, ages 7 and 4 months. Their family dinner was interrupted when some 15 law enforcement officers from Weld County showed up to handcuff and

Keep Aspartame Out of “Milk”! Action Alert

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:00:21 +0000

Dairy industry petitions the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve aspartame as a hidden additive in milk, yogurt, eggnog and cream. The integrity of our food supply is poised for another blow with citizens petition submitted to FDA by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). These industry groups are asking the FDA to alter the definition of "milk" to include

Episode 8: National Farmers Union Endorses Raw Milk

Kimberly Hartke — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:19:46 +0000

Episode 8 of the Food Rights Hour podcast is about the National Farmers Union's endorsement of raw milk. During this episode, host Kimberly Hartke talks to guests David Gumpert, Mark McAfee, Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Richard R. Oswald, and Danielle Nierenberg about the National Farmers Union's (NFU) decision to endorse this nutrient-dense beverage. What does NFU's decision mean for the future of raw milk?

The Opportunity to Unite “Local Food”!

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:40:16 +0000

FarmMatch.com has become the world's fastest growing local foods search engine. Raw milk activist, Max Kane, and software firm owner David King launched the website in the fall of 2012 to strengthen the local food movement and build community. In this article, Kane