Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

Rivenrock Gardens — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:15:33 GMT

We have been organically certified through California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) since 1992. The costs of our certification are in excess of $700 yearly. We pay this because we do wish our customers to know that we believe in organic standards and are committed to showing this through inspections. The farmers who put ‘certified organic’ on their labels are in violation of Federal law, and should be prosecuted. Many here are incensed that the Federal Government has it’s hand in this, but yet it is due to the chicanery of many producers that the Feds decided to take this ‘patchwork quilt’ of varying state standards and make a blanket to cover all the states. This is called into question when a producer sells his produce as organic when he’s not in the system and the inspections. If he is allowed to continue, why should I pay the $700 yearly to be registered? And if he is allowed to continue selling ‘organic’ without having to open his record books, then what is to prevent some non-organic grower from doing this also?

I’m not a fan of the Feds being involved in this, and I’m a big proponent of people knowing the farmers they buy from…and I agree that big farms have less problems absorbing the costs and record keeping requirements of the Federal regulations… it comes down to the old ‘economy of scale’ which small farmers have working against them. My cert costs are the same if I make $7 k in a year, or if I were larger and made 40k…. while that sucks, I hope one day to make $40 k yearly, and I’ll be happy my costs are not higher.

Remember also that the profit from most family farms is less than 15 k yearly…. And we are well below that amount…. Way way below. Yes, this $700 is a pain in the checkbook, but to have a person holding this guy up as an example is a slap in the face to someone who follows the law as well as the intent of the law.

Buy local and organic when and where you can

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

I am what i am — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:42:22 GMT

All these comments are great. Everyone should appreciate the local and family farmers who are struggling to keep it going. Yes, Ron Paul for President, but it won't happen. They would kill him for bringing back our country to reason and sanity. Yes, the farmers are being bought off not to farm the land, when we need food the most because of the massive food shortage coming. GMO foods from other countries will mess up our DNA by the hybrid ingredients of insects parts with animal and human DNA. Yes, it's a crime to sell raw, organic milk in Penn.Dutch country, because the State Troopers said so. They took and seized this famers land. Folks, this government is creating a massive food shortage. Rice, and now wheat is at a premium. Soon it will be dairy. Canada and the US gov. are telling their pig farmers to kill 300k of their pigs combined and paying them millions to do it. Don't believe me, then google it. The New World Order is always up to no good. Down with Bush, Clintons, Obama Sama, and John McCain who is related to the first Murderer, Cain from Adam & Eve. We are surrounded by Evil and the Builderbergs, the CFR, The Royal Institute of England & Major foundations and bankers of the world. We can't forget the Rothchilds of England and the Rockefellers of the broken, immoral greedy bloodsucking murdering chickenecks of the USA. Get ready for Iran and a false flag attack on our own country. 9-11 was a good example, God save the farmers or we all die. Eat genetic modified food and you die a littlebit slower, or turn into another creature. I say fight for freedom or die as a slave and a coward.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

Save Our Freedom — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 04:20:59 GMT

This is of course our government, but it's just the tip of the iceburg. Watch these videos and get the big picture:

www.mercola.com/.../how-the-government-is-threatening-your-freedom-to-use-supplements.htm

video.google.com/videoplay

If Ron Paul doesn't get elected, we may as well kiss this country good-bye. And if he does miraculously make it, we all better pray for him as they'll have him in their crosshairs. JFK also wanted to abolish the Fed and look what happened to him!

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

msr — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:17:43 GMT

When the majority of the people are more worried about what Paris Hilton is doing then what Congress is doing,is it any wonder that we are in the predicament that we are in? The mentality of the masses can be gauged by the shows that are on TV. Need I say more?

Monsanto,Grocery Manufactures Association and other proponents of GM food are pressing the FDA to allow GM foods to be

labeled organic.

Politicians know that the masses will never organize. That is why they do what they do.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

smallohiofarm — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:31:00 GMT

My grandfather was lucky to have passed on long before the "Overinvasive Government" started regulating our food supply. Farming only about 1.5 acres, he often had sold the "organic" produce he grew before it was harvested. I am sure that the government would have had a problem with the way he grew crops because unless something was absolutely devastating what he grew. He used no pesticides or herbacides on a regular basis. You can tell I miss the ethics that was evident only a couple of generations ago in this country.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

colleen_whalen — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:04:51 GMT

Everyone posting on this topic conveniently FORGOT it's illegal to label food "certified organic" if not been actually certified! It's expensive time consuming to get certified, but if that system does not exist how in the hell will consumers be able to trust certification label food packaging food?

These farmers were dumber than a sack of hammers - instead of labelling meat "certified organic" LEGALLY sold meat w/ label "grass fed, free ranging cattle no GMO feed, no antibiotics, no growth hormones" Product could have been packaged w/ info on label informing customers about animal husbandry practices to signify difference bewteen crap supermarket beef & sustainable beef. The cattle ranchers could have labelled it "Sustainably raised by small family farmers" or "permaculture friendly beef" or "Non-Certified, but Natural Beef" - there were SO MANY ALTERNATIVES than breaking the law.

I think being arrested was extreme, but they got out on bail using a bail bondsman. THEY ARE LIARS and FRAUDULENTY USED "CERTIFIED ORGANIC" labelling which is a felony!

Now here is my "beef" Horizon Dairy, owned by Dean foods got caught Factory Farming and USDA refused to arrest, fine or punish that company - just dropped the USDA seal from their products. Now Horizion Dairy is suing www.cornucopia.org for their chart "Who Owns Organic" that "outs" them as Factory Farming lying dirt-bags who raise crap dairy products created for Safeway, Wal Mart and Big Box stores.

Double standard - 2 stupid, dumb cattle ranchers got arrested for LYING on their label, while a HUGE transnational agribusiness corporation, Dean Foods - Horizion Dairy got off with a tiny slap on the wrist - getting the USDA organic seal dropped from their product line is minor because their packaging makes it falsely seem to consumers their product is healthy, natural and raised by Ma and Pa Kettle at Old Mc Donalds farm.

Dont buy organic food @ supermarkets, Wal-Mart, Trader Joes!!!!!!!

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

Apokolypsis — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:02:38 GMT

The "System" In Whole---Food Police, Thought Police, Work Police, Health Police-- Funded by WHO----Corporation this, Corporation That----Who keeps the Corporations of all types in business???...You! Change your ways.......quit giving them your money to use against you.......and then maybe......we shall see

the very end of government- the preservation, perfection and happiness of man,- imposes an obligation of obedience to the sovereign authority, as long as it acts with moderation and equity. Whoever, therefore rises up against the sovereign power to destroy it, is guilty of the greatest crime that can be committed, since he seeks to subvert the foundations of the public felicity, in which that every individual in included. This is rebellion.

But if the supreme power degenerate into tyranny, if they who hold it are manifestly aiming to destroy the liberties of the citizens of state, it is the doctrine of the social compact, that the people have a right to rise in their majesty and to demand from their tyrants the surrender of trusts, forfeited by abuses of so flagarant a character.

It is a remedy, not only justifiable when all others fail, but demanded by the very same reason on which government itself is founded- a regard to the welfare and felicity of mankind. A strict observance of law, on the part of the rulers as well as the people, is essential to the happiness of a nations. To resist a tyrant, who knows no law but his own will, is not rebellion , it is not lawless violence but self-defense. It is not a invasion of the prerogative of one, but a vindication of the prerogatives of millions. It is not a right merely, but a duty.

Liberty the source of most precious blessings, has two enemies in civil society, licentiousness and tyranny. To guard against these enemies is the height of both human prudence and human felicity.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

jolstol — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:56:43 GMT

we have farmed organically since 1980. raised our childred on raw milk from our own goats and cows. our grandchildren now come home to the farm to enjoy the same. we certified our farm with P.C.O. and U.S.D.A six or eight years ago and have been grassfeeding, only, for the last four years. it took a while for me to be convinced that it could be done!! our customers say " it is the best tastin' beef available any where" the more folks demand our kind of quality the more it will become availble. a big problem is that the government does not want farmers like us to direct sell to consumers with out all the regulatory permits etc....the fact of the matter is the we have a right to sell our stuff direct to you the consumer. when enough of consumers get angry enough to demand that the government get out of the relationship between us and our consumers it will happen, get in contact with your senators and representatives, demand your right, or vote them out.

recently a farmer in cumberland county , pa. was raided, 25000 plus dollars of raw milk products were stolen and landfilled he is now under threat of jail time. all this because he is producing and marketing a healthy , raw milk product that his customers love.!!! we had a support rally at his farm , he is not in jail yet and continues to farm. we all need to continue to support that kind of courage and to protest the nazi type of raids that are disigned to scare famers into compliance. the power is in the people it is time we take control again!!!

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

Dan Chiacchia — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:47:49 GMT

You should write more about the NAIS (National ANimal IDentification system) and how that is really going to kill the small farm. All part of the evil plot of big food and big Pharm.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

MargueriteinFlorida — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:25:30 GMT

Signe,

lets have some more info on Tru Touch....are they cosmetics, lip gloss blush etc.

Thank you Marguerite

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

diddledede — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:27:02 GMT

I iknow we need to have someone checking our food supply to keep us safe, but I remember when I was younger my mother and dad would kill hogs, cows etc. and they dressed the animals at home. They inturn for the neighbors helping would give everyone part of the animal to carry home with them. No one ever got sick from any of this at home killing and dressing of animals. We, also, had chickens and ate and shared them after my mom would ring their necks and dress them. Why is it that today we have so many illnesses from meats etc. that we buy in the stores? No health department person ever came knocking at our door to tell us we could not kill and process on our property. Maybe, the government is too involved in telling us what we can and cannot do. Long live the farmers that want to process and sale their food to us without having the government involved in the processing.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

VEGANJEAN — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:53:54 GMT

IF YOU GO VEGETARIAN OR VEGAN YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR DOG AND THE CALF? NONE. THEY BOTH DESERVE TO LIVE. YOU CAN EXIST VERY VERY WELL ON A PLANT DIET.

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

dpg921 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:34:34 GMT

Excellent post! I really learn so much! I will be back for more!

re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

Signe Nichols — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:06:11 GMT

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re: Some Small Farmers Are Going To Jail -- To Spite the System

dslvdg — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:11:13 GMT

I wish that everyone would be honest without someone looking over their shoulder. The nature of the human race being as it is we are tempted to decieve at times --even the local farmer. Being raised on a small farm in Michigan, I've seen a few times that farmers would not tell the whole truth. When economics are on the line and a crop is in trouble, they might use pesticides on crops and antibiotics in animals rather than take the loss.

Organic certification is a good thing unless I can actually see the farmer raising the crop. On the other hand, who can trust the government either?