Family farms under attack! Sadly, this is a scenario we’ve become all too familiar with: armed raids on farms and long, drawn out court cases that threaten to bankrupt farmers. These 4 cases are each pivotal in setting precedent. The outcome in each of these will dramatically alter the reality facing, not just the farmers involved, but the rest of the farmers here and in Canada. These are test cases. It is time to get behind our farmers in every way we can and support them so we can all benefit from a better outcome. It is time for the enforcers to simply say “no” to further enforcement in these and similar cases. Our job is to support that mindset as well as take direct action to save our farms.
Why does any of this matter? Because we care about our food and this directly affects our food choices. Read about these cases and take action!
1. Montana Jones–Montana is a shepherdess in Canada who had her entire herd of beautiful heritage breed Shropshire sheep slaughtered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)–they are like our FDA–because of the possibility that the sheep had scrapie. The CFIA slaughtered the sheep without allowing Montana to actually test the animals for the disease.
After the kill order was issued but before the CFIA could kill them, the Farmers Peace Corps intervened, taking the sheep into “protective custody” until a humane solution could be found. The CFIA went to every extent they could to find the sheep, which were found a couple months later, and immediately slaughtered. Because of the attempt to find a peaceful solution, Montana and several other farmers were charged with conspiracy, in addition to other charges, and they are facing trial. The trauma that Montana has gone through is similar to that of anyone who has suffered extreme abuse. Her story is intense, her telling of it is powerful! You can donate to her here. It is time to profess solidarity with her. She provides regular updates on her Facebook page.
2. Mark Baker–Many people here are familiar with the story of Mark Baker and his Mangalitsa pigs. This is a similar case to that of Montana Jones in that they were both raising a heritage breed of animal, preserving genetics and they were both ordered to kill all their animals. Recent updates to his case mean that Mark and his family will be in court March 11-14 for his trial where the state of Michigan will have to clarify the declaratory ruling. This case will set precedent throughout the country on whether rogue bureaucrats can create arbitrary rules based on “input” from the pork industry. Many other farmers in Michigan slaughtered their herds when the rule came out. Mark sued the state for clarification on the rules. The state has currently threatened to fine Mark $10,000 for every pig they know about. His supporters are helping him raise funds to stay on the farm until this is resolved and he can continue farming in peace. (Click here to donate to the Baker’s)
3. Michael Schmidt–Michael is the Canadian dairy farmer who provides raw milk to his neighbors through cow shares even though the raw milk prohibition in Canada is far worse than it is in any state here. He is in court on February 5 on an appeal of this years-long saga. For a history of Michael Schmidt’s case, that’s been in the works for 30 years, here is an old write-up that covers most of his story until 2001. Michael needs supporters to show up in court. See full article here for times and location.
4. Frank Myers–Frank is an 85 year-old Canadian farmer living on his family’s land. His land is near an active military base and the Canadian government ordered that his land be reappropriated for use as a military training facility. (Because that is just what this world needs right now, one less farm and one more violence training center….). The family’s supporters have declared an “occupation” of the farm and are camping out 24/7 on the farm to prevent the government from destroying the barns and other farm buildings. The good news is, for now, it is working. So far, they have successfully prevented the government from seizing the land and destroying the property. But how long will this last? The best way to connect with other supporters, and the Myers’ family, is through the Facebook page. There is a group there every day around the fire. Frank talks to anyone who drops by. The address is 209 Meyers Creek Road, Trenton Ontario.
These gentle farmers’ entire lives are hanging in the balance, the stresses of daily life affecting their health. They do not know when will be the next attack, the next court hearing, the next trial. Some of them have lost everything and still have to face the courts. Imagine being in this situation and having people in court, standing beside you, with you, behind you in support. Financial contributions are so much more than just money. It is an endorsement of the farmers continued stand for peaceful farming and food choice! Each of us has the power to help transform these cases from defeat into victory by coming together in support of those who have everything on the line or those who have already lost everything. It is time to act.
Liz Reitzig
Wherever you are in your personal journey toward clean living and local food, thank you for joining me in mine. I look forward to sharing it with you.
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34 Comments on "Family Farms Under Attack–Take Action to Save Our Farmers"
Please leave these poor farmers alone, they are not hurting anyone and if we truly believe in free market, then people will either buy what they have to sell (at their own risk) or not, thus resolving any conflict. Needlessly killing animals, imprisoning farmers and take ancestral lands because it doesn’t fit your agenda is WRONG.
These stories are heartbreaking. We CANNOT ALLOW big Agra to take over are food supply. Are there petitions I can sign?
This is terrible! It sounds like communist Russia! Slaughtering an entire herd of sheep due to supposedly suspecting a virus, without even testing the animals? Makes me sick! Please help support these small farmers. I can’t believe that in this country there is a right to bear arms, but not animals. Shaking my head.
Why doe the government feel they need to “protect” us from our own choices”? We have the rigvht to make our own choices about the foods we wish tpo raise and consume!
Please stop this nonsense and quit using law enforcement for this insane agenda.
The disease I might understand, if they did proper testing. The military one I do NOT.
We are a Democracy. We have the right to our choices. Please respect our liberties.
I agree, I’d like to know if there are any petitions going around. Our government is corrupt in so many ways all in the name of the dollar and for no amount of good.
For all of you who want to know why this is happening, look up Agenda-21. We need to wake more people up to what the REAL reasons are for this in order to put a stop to it. Our officers are being trained for a One World Government under the United Nations and we need to push back. Don’t believe me? The signs are all around us. This is all part of the New World Order that Bush started talking about during his time as President. WAKE UP so that we can end this tyranny.
Bush mentioned a new world order, so did his Dad, Bush 41, so did Clinton and so has Obama. I just want to spread that blame fairly. Simply Google Presidents who mentioned New World Order and the 4 last Presidents come up.
How can we help. Meet the people and talk about the people would be best approach. Reasonable human interaction. Protection with human warmth.
Sounds like some corporate interests don’t care for the Buy Local trend.
THIS IS PURE INSANITY AT IT’S HIGHEST LEVEL, SHOWING HOW SICK OUR WORLD HAS TRULY BECOME. WE HAVE TO STAND UNITED AGAINST THIS, AND WE MUST ALL TAKE A STAND TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD. OUR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS ARE BEING NOT ONLY VIOLATED BUT TAKEN AWAY FROM US. PURE EVIL AT ANY LEVEL. WHERE ARE OUR “FREEDOM’S”?
WE ARE NOT FREE BUT LIVING IN A SLAVERY WORLD, RUN BY THE CORRUPT FEW. PRAY WE ALL FIND OUR ANSWERS TO STOP THIS FOREVER !!!! STAND UP AGAINST WRONG WHAT EVER, WHERE EVER IT MAY BE.
HOW DO WE TAKE OUR ACTION TO TAKE OUR WORLD BACK???
This is only the beginning, folks. We’ve seen this kind of thing throughout history repeat itself over and over. The government taking over agriculture DOESN’T work! The Russian people have starved to death, Hitler’s own people starved to death because there was hardly enough food to feed his soldiers let alone anyone else, and there’s people currently starving all over the world because of this philosophy. Nothing is safe…quite frankly, making a comment on this web site isn’t safe. May God keep and protect us from this impending doom.
Are there petitions I can sign?
Is there any petitions to sign for this? God bless those farmers and all the animals who suffer everyday for human greed.
Where is the media coverage? The world is still in deep doo.
Lana,
Each story had links to where/how you can help. Thank you for your interest.
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