I am so glad there are farmers like Mark Baker in this world.
Mark and his wife Jill own Baker’s Green Acres, a sustainable farm where, among other bio-diverse activities, the family of 10 raises heritage hogs called Mangalitsa, a special breed that produces a gourmet quality meat prized by high-end restaurants as well as health conscious consumers seeking nutrient dense, locally produced meat.
Mark and Jill started Baker’s Green Acres over 10 years ago when Mark retired after 20 years serving his country in the US Air Force. Unfortunately, the country he put his life on the line to protect turned on him as he sought life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as a quiet, peace loving farmer.
The problems started back in 2010 when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued the Invasive Species Order (ISO), approved by the governor, which banned all heritage pigs. The DNR order is intentionally ambiguous in its description of what it calls “feral” pigs. Ambiguity renders power, essentially allowing the DNR to shut down any hog farmer it chooses.
Unbelievably, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources arrogantly labeled any pig living outside in the open air as “feral” and ordered owners of such pigs to destroy them.
Mark refused to comply and fought back by suing the DNR over the legality of the Invasive Species Order.
The lawsuit cost the family dearly. The DNR fined the Baker’s $700,000 ($10,000 for each of the 70 “illegal” pigs) and even impaired their ability to sell food from the farm – literally trying to starve them out and put them on the street with continued lawsuit delay tactics. At one point, the family endured having their power cut off.
Unwilling to back off, the Bakers courageously withstood the hardships to see their day in court surviving on donations from thousands of activists around the United States and the world, including many readers from this blog.
Apparently realizing it would get skewered in the court of public opinion, on February 26, 2014, the DNR reversed its position and suddenly the pigs the department sought to condemn were now legal.
Pete Kennedy, President of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund had this to say on the surprise reversal:
“DNR changed its position because it did not want a trial focusing on the merits of the Declaratory Ruling. For two years, DNR has said the Bakers’ pigs are illegal, then two weeks before trial, they say the pigs are okay. Why didn’t the state take this position two years ago? The state should compensate the Bakers for the losses it has caused the farm.”
With the pigs’ legality no longer in dispute, the judge assigned to the case granted the DNR’s motion to dismiss Baker’s lawsuit. While it is certainly great news that the Baker’s ordeal is now permanently over as the case was dismissed with prejudice, the golden opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of the ISO for the 2000+ other farmers in Michigan with heritage breed hogs was lost.
On a positive note, Mark Baker’s courageous stand against an overzealous, overreaching state bureaucracy is making waves beyond the borders of Michigan. In January 2014, the Indiana Board of Animal Health revised its regulation concerning the legality of wild hogs to specifically clarify that pigs raised on a farm did not apply.
In addition, Mark Baker’s determination has emboldened other farmers in Michigan. According to the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which provided funding for Mark Baker’s legal representation in the case, a Marquette County judge is scheduled to rule on a challenge to the ISO from another farm within the next couple of weeks.
To donate to the worthy cause of supporting the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund which tirelessly defends farmers like Mark Baker each and every day to preserve the basic right of food freedom in the United States, please click here.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
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Well congratulations to them, farmers always seem to run into problems like this. We need to make things easier and not more difficult. It sucks that it takes forever to get anything changed or done with the government.
One world baby. Good work getting this done.
So as you can see, we have very deceptive people writhing our laws and making us think they apply
It’s a bit complicated for some to understand, but all codes and laws are for “persons” Legal person refers to a non-human entity that is treated as a person for limited legal purposes–corporations, for example. Legal persons can sue and be sued, own property, and enter into contracts. In most countries, legal persons cannot vote, marry, or hold public office. Most countries also excluse legal persons from holding natural or constitutional rights, such as the freedom of speech. http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/legal_person
Just means during this election cycle that if Michigan people care about their freedom(and their bacon), they need to vote bill schuette out and hold the new ag accountable.
I cant bring myself to believe that this is good news. Sure it’s good for this family that the overreaching government has changed its mind in this case, but this does nothing about the larger picture. There should be punitive damages, the government should have to retract this ridiculous regulation. There needs to be a precedent set for all government officials to see that you don’t screw around with freedom. from what I can see, this does non of those things. All I see is the government being arrogant, ruining peoples lives, realizing that their pants are down, and then covering their ass only to be arrogant all over again at a more discreet time.
Its not over yet. Ag’s office still has rationalize their decision I believe by the end of the week. That’s gonna be an interesting feet. Also pretty much still makes Mich pig farmers felons. BS
Amen!
I’ve been following this story…..so glad to hear this good news 🙂
Your country is so screwed up. No way will I visit unless you sort out your food supply. At least the ruling for Mark Baker is a start.
Yes, I wish I could be in a country that has true freedom in all areas…It looks to me like the “powers that be” want total control..so no country will be safe from this toxic greed. Be vigilant. I am overjoyed for the Bakers! That IS a start! God bless and save America.
Agreed that our country is screwed up. I’ve lived here all my life (almost 52 years) and have never witnessed such a downward spiral in a few short years. Ever. Is so sad what is happening to our country. Unfortunately their are people in power now that are pushing their agenda onto the American people in every which way you can imagine. We are a nation founded on Christian principles whether they want to admit that or not. And, we are a nation that was founded by people who had common sense – i.e., would be astounded that there are laws that say “any pig living outside in the open air is feral.” So ridiculous!