Farmer cites religious issues in raw milk case [View all]

[rug]

Charges against Loganville farmer draw national attention

By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 30, 2012

A Sauk County farmer headed for trial on criminal charges related to the sale of raw milk has rejected a plea bargain that could have kept him out of jail and has raised religious freedom objections in the case.

Vernon Hershberger of Loganville was scheduled for trial Jan. 7 on charges that include distributing milk from his "Grazin' Acres" dairy farm without a milk producer's license, operating a retail food establishment and dairy plant without licenses, and violating a hold order placed on his dairy products after a raid on his farm.

It's a case that has become a rallying point for the raw milk movement nationwide, with Hershberger's supporters hoping that an acquittal could set a precedent for other farmers who have run into trouble for distributing raw, unpasteurized dairy products to the public.

But the trial has been postponed because state Department of Justice officials said they needed more time to address a religious-freedom issue raised by Hershberger.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/farmer-cites-religious-issues-in-raw-milk-case-5786cbh-185236052.html