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"Produce-The-Evidence"
Rally for Raw Milk Farmer
Mark Nolt, a raw milk farmer in New Line, Pennsylvania was accused
by the
Pennsylvania Health Department last May of having sold tainted milk,
alleged to have caused illness in three families and one child. The
Department has yet to produce a single piece of evidence backing their
claim. They have been trying,
unsuccessfully, to shut Mark down and last Saturday committed a multi-jurisdictional
raid on his property, taking milk, milk products, and equipment worth
$25,000 and taking Mark's customer lists as well. This Saturday, August
25, at 11:00, Mark's many customers and supporters are holding a "Produce-the-Evidence"
protest rally at Mark's Farm. Please attend if you possibly can.
Mark will not comply with Pennsylvania's unjust demands or respond
to unproven
accusations. Please keep him in your prayers.
WHERE: Mark Nolt's farm, New Line, Pennsylvania
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
WHEN: Saturday, August 25
ADDRESS: 401 Centerville Road, Newville, Pennsylvania 17421
DIRECTIONS: From I-81, take exit 37. Go north on 233 for 2.5 miles.
Turn right at
the "Tractors for Sale" sign (if you reach the large elementary
school on 233 you've gone too far). Go down the lane past the first
set of buildings (equipment) to the farm.
MARK'S PHONE NUMBER: (717) 776-3417
WHAT TO BRING: signs and posters relevant to the theme,
your favorite raw milk product or dish to share, utensils and plate
for yourself, lawn chairs if you like, and friends. Remember that each
will need to pack out any trash they create.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Before Saturday: Please spread the word about this
event and bring as many friends as you can.
On Saturday:
Share a testimonial
Distribute literature
Direct parking
Please RSVP by email or phone (717-536-3618) as soon as possible with
how you can help.
History of Mark Nolt's Case
After holding a raw milk permit for a number of years, in August of
2006 Mark
terminated this contract and gave notice to the Pennsylvania Department
of Health. In October of 2006, a new Food Safety Director for the commonwealth
came to office (after working for twenty years for Hershey Foods and
five years at Dean Foods).
In December, this director made a personal visit to Mark's farm. In
May 2007, Mark was taken to court for selling raw milk without a permit,
which he had understood to be voluntary and irrelevant because his business
is founded upon private contracts with customers. He filed for an appeal,
but before action was taken, three separate undercover agents from the
Department of Health purchased milk on three separate occasions from
Mark. (We wonder whether they drank it.) He was fined $1000 for each
sale.
In June an injunction was brought against him to cease his sales of
raw milk because the Pennsylvania Department of Health claimed that
three households experienced illness as a result of consuming his milk.
The Department has never substantiated this claim. Though he tried to
remove his case to a different jurisdiction, his removal request was
ignored and on August 10, agents raided his farm and confiscated $25,000
of equipment and milk products. Authorities have told him that he must
sign a permit or be arrested. The Carlisle Sentinel misrepresented this
raid and confiscation as a "visit" and "investigation."
The loss of $25,000 in product and equipment and a possible prison term
would be devastating to Mark, Maryann and their ten children. Should
this be the result of a farmer's attempt to make an honest living selling
wholesome food?
Please read the following article for his explanation of why selling
wholesome local
farm goods directly to consumers is a right that should be independent
of state
oversight and interference.
http://www.thecompletepatient.com/journal/2007/8/11/civil-disobedience-in-pennsylvania-tyrants-will-rule-if-no-o.html
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