It seems as if whenever I exercise my right to purchase raw milk, I get a stark reminder of the problems others face in the same pursuit. I was on my way to the Norwich (VT) Farmers Market during the weekend for raw milk and other items when Pete Kennedy, the lawyer who is representing Richard Hebron in Michigan, called to tell me that Richard was invited to come by the Cass County prosecutor’s office and retrieve about 20 of his coolers that had been confiscated in the October sting on his way to distribute milk in Ann Arbor. That’s the good news.
The rest of the news is sketchy, but it suggests that the Michigan authorities aren’t about to let Richard and the Family Farms Cooperative off easily. From what Kennedy has been told, the Michigan Department of Agriculture sent a completed investigative report to the prosecutor’s office. But that office is apparently still awaiting a report from Indiana agriculture authorities, since that is where the co-op’s milk is produced. All of which suggests that violation of interstate commerce regulations could be part of any charges, in addition to expected charges concerning violation of retailing and labeling laws.
Richard also has yet to have his computer or cell phone returned. And the prosecutor is holding onto a couple of coolers–evidence, you know. So the wheels of justice definitely are creaking along, if justice is the right word.
On the positive side, the farmer’s market in Norwich had a successful initial winter session. It was crowded, and the farmers I spoke with said people were buying. I was impressed that several farmers were there with green vegetables, the last of a warmer-than-usual fall. I was able to purchase red kale, Swiss chard, and turnips from Jennifer Megyesi of Fat Rooster Farm (pictured below). There was also nice looking lettuce and lots of grass fed meat, cheeses, eggs, and raw milk.
It was fun, despite the severe pounding my theory about the clash between centralization and de-centralization took in the comments about a classic economic power struggle. If you look at the sites LDF has posted, you see that the struggle seems to have concluded with a whimper. The list of companies with "good" products under the thumb of major corporations is discouraging. You really have to work to find small independent organizations. And many people don’t care enough to do the searching.
Still, I take issue with Kyle that trying to analyze what’s happening is a waste, that tyranny is here and that’s that. History does repeat itself, maybe not exactly the same way each time, but via recurring themes. Lots of independent farmers and food companies remain 
out there, along with growing numbers of supporters. The game isn’t over quite yet.
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