Posted on 03/26/2015 5:24:29 AM PDT by HomerBohn
This is but another example of Big-AG, and their bought and paid for politicians and law enforcement, driving the little guy, who uses humane farming practices, out of business, thereby eliminating competition. (Not to mention healthier foods.)
What happens when enough small farms are raided, such as the West Wind Acres farm, is that the State, and its power wielding enforcers, create more enemies. All the relatives and friends of the raided farms begin to look at the power structure in a new way. Those who buy healthy foods from these farms, likewise, begin to see it is all a massive power struggle. Eventually, the tide will turn, when enough small farmers have been raided, all to please Big-Ag.
More and more people are turning away from Big-Ag products, looking for healthy, natural foods for their families. The tide IS changing. Politicians and law enforcement need to wake up. – Shorty Dawkins, Associate Editor
This article comes from thefreethoughtproject.com
By John Vibes on March 24, 2015
Schenectady County, New York – Earlier this month, a family farm in rural New York was raided by police after the owners were cited on a number of trumped up regulatory violations. Joshua Rockwood, the owner of the farm, is being accused of mistreating his animals, and the local government has began confiscating some of them.
Police initially visited Rockwood’s property on February 25th to investigate reports of unlicensed working dogs, weeks before the raid. Unfortunately, Rockwood voluntarily showed local police around his property, which he had not yet tended to that day because of their unexpected interruption. After showing them around, they began to critically assess every aspect of the farm, writing a number of citations for arbitrary offenses.
The very next day, Rockwood had a veterinarian visit the farm to check on the animals to confirm that they were well taken care of and in good health. According to numerous reports, the vet said that the animals were just fine, and did not seem to share the concerns that the officers alleged during their walk-through.
A second veterinarian was also called in to verify the health of the animals and they also found them to be in perfect health.
A week later, police returned again to notify Rockwood that he was to appear in court the next Thursday on a number of charges relating to the animal’s food and shelter. In total, 12 different charges were brought against Rockwood, but he has posted a number of photos to a Facebook support page, which shows the animals with sufficient housing, and plenty of food.
Rockwood has been charged with 12 counts of animal neglect and abuse – some of the charges relating to frozen water bowls and tanks – despite the animals still having access to water. His dogs and horses have been seized and taken away.
Rockwood treats his animals better than most factory farms do, but since he uses traditional farming methods, his farm will fail regulatory inspections, while factory farms will pass.
Meanwhile, New York is one of many states that are currently considering “ag-gag” laws, which place criminal penalties on activists who expose animal abuse at factory farms.
NEVER, never ever allow police to inspect anything without a valid warrant specifically covering the physical address they wish to inspect. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.
"Get a frigging warrant if it means so much to you. I'll wait here. Your boys can get the hell off my property until you show back up with it."
The whole description sounds fabricated.
Oathkeepers - that should have tipped you off.
It's a money-making scheme for Stewart Rhodes.
...unlicensed working dogs...
Cops are not your friend when they want to look around. You are 100 percent dead on target! Always ask for a warrant and call your lawyer while the warrant is being drawn up
Sounds a lot like only one side of the story
The socialist government isn’t talking.
——.unlicensed working dogs...——
In lots of cities you are supposed to microchip and register your dog...
Kind of doubt that is the case in rural NY...
Sounds like the “oathkeepers” failed in their oath?
Most states require your dog be licensed. So, they have a cattle dog, or a sheep dog, and it isn’t licensed.
Their “oath” is only to not follow unconstitutional orders.
Not much of a help. If they really wanted to protect against “domestic enemies” to the constitution, we’d actually see some action, but since they’re probably friends w/other law enforcement members, this is never going to happen.
Sounds like a dirtball who was too lazy to be operating a farm (or ranch). In my opinion.
So a dog has to be registered but your illegal alien neighbour does not?
So, they have a cattle dog, or a sheep dog, and it isn’t licensed.
My friends used to sell raw milk. Well, it’s illegal to sell raw milk so they sold “shares” in the cow. The stuff the FDA does to try to shut those places down would be comical if they were not so serious. It’s almost as bad as the first ten minutes of Inglorious Basterds.
Our government is NOT our friend. They are the zookeepers and we are the animals.
“Unfortunately, Rockwood voluntarily showed local police around his property, “
Never, ever do this. The correct response is “do you have a warrant?” If they don’t its “get off my property immediately.”
L
You touch on why I left the culture of Seattle (where I lived for 45 years) for a small farm in rural, central KY. In Seattle you can’t even build a 6x6 shed without a permit (IIRC) or clear the blackberries off your property in King county without a permit if you have over five acres.
I have 32 acres now and I can build a HOUSE without a permit if I so choose and can get the money. And I can hunt on my own land without a permit!
Just getting the government off my back was a life changer, if only in perception.
As a rather delightful English fellow once said to me, concerning government (I wish I could type in a Cockney accent): “Tell the truth to those people and they’ll tyke ya’ to the cleaners!” (In the original it was more like the “clyners”.)
“Oathkeepers” attack profile at public meetings, and their disgraceful conduct at the Bundy Ranch standoff last year has soured me on ever listening to their sales pitch again.
Yea, verily yea.
Honestly wish The Bride and I could do the same...
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