Raw Milk Case Against Sauk Co. Amish Farmer Delayed
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/28/2012
An Amish dairy farmer from Loganville who was charged late last year for selling raw milk was able to delay his trial on grounds of his religion. Vernon Hershberger faces four misdemeanors related to the sale of unpasteurized milk. But he now claims his religious beliefs do not allow taking someone to court, so he
had to disregard a holding order that the state placed on him in December.
Hershberger's trial was scheduled to start January 7 in Sauk County. He was charged with operating food-and-dairy facilities without a license and violating a hold-order placed on his products following a 2010 raid on his property.
He also faces a charge of running a dairy farm without a license since that right was revoked after the first charges were brought against him.
Meanwhile, Hershberger has since set up a 'buyer's club' with about 100 families who purchase raw milk from his operation. He claims that by doing that, he's not technically selling illegal products to the public.
A conference has been scheduled for next week to rule on the farmer's religious concerns and set a new trial date.
