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Food Fight: The Battle for Amish Tradition and Food Freedom 🚨
Mar
Pennsylvania authorities raided the farm of Amish farmer Amos Miller, seizing approximately $100,000 worth of food items
In January 2024, Pennsylvania authorities raided the farm of Amish farmer Amos Miller, seizing approximately $100,000 worth of food items. The raid was prompted by allegations that Miller’s raw dairy products were responsible for E. coli outbreaks in Michigan and New York. Miller’s attorney condemned the raid as “patently illegal” and a violation of state regulations.
Despite serving thousands of customers with farm-fresh food, Miller’s farm has faced regulatory scrutiny for nearly a decade. The recent Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture raid left many of his patrons in the lurch, with wholesome foods like pickled beets and maple syrup “under detention.” According to local food activist Max Kane, officials detained approximately $100,000 of food items. Here’s a video of the detained food.
Miller’s Organic Farm emphasizes its commitment to providing traditional Amish farm foods, delivered straight to consumers’ tables. In an age where fresh, unadulterated food is increasingly rare, this service appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality fare. Members of the association have access to a range of products, including raw grass-fed and finished milk, pastured meats and eggs, all sourced from Miller’s farm and neighboring Amish farms. The farm prides itself on adhering to the highest standards of product quality, offering nutrient-dense, beyond organic, non-GMO, chemical-free, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free foods produced using traditional farming methods.
The trouble for Miller began in 2015 when federal officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) started scrutinizing his operations. His situation gained significant attention when the Food Safety Network highlighted his farm’s challenges. Things took a serious turn when the U.S. Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the USDA, initiated legal proceedings against him, as journalist David Gumpert reported.
By 2016, armed law enforcement officers were authorized by the court to accompany USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) investigators during inspections of Miller’s home and farm, despite his status as an Amish pacifist. Throughout these investigations, Miller resisted USDA demands for food purchase records dating back to 2012, citing contractual obligations to maintain the privacy of such information.
In 2022, Miller faced continued USDA scrutiny, including another visit by armed federal employees to his Pennsylvania farm. The government’s attempt to issue hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines threatened to bankrupt the farm. Rebel News condemned the court-ordered armed threat as “an attack on Amish religious freedom” occurring just 150 miles from Washington, D.C.
The January 2024 raid on Amos Miller and Miller’s Organic Farm was prompted by accusations from the health departments of Michigan and New York states, suggesting that two E. coli illnesses originated from Miller’s raw milk or raw milk products. However, Miller’s attorney, Robert Barnes, condemned the raid’s conduct as illegal. Barnes argued that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture unlawfully obtained a search warrant without proper authority and violated its own rules and regulations. He highlighted the absence of advance notice, reasonable inspection time frames, and proper credential presentation during the raid.
Moreover, Barnes criticized the detention of all items in Miller’s farm freezer, including buffalo meat not subject to federal regulation, as patently illegal under Pennsylvania law. Despite ongoing harassment, Miller remains committed to legally providing food to his community. He expressed gratitude for continued support during this critical time for food freedom in America.