By KEVIN WALKER
Michigan Correspondent

VANDALIA, Mich. — Richard Hebron, the Vandalia, Mich. Dairy producer whose business was raided last year over his distribution of raw milk to consumers, has reached an agreement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) that will keep him from being prosecuted.

“I think the settlement saves him money and time,” said Pete Kennedy, an attorney for Hebron and Indiana dairy farmer David Hochstetler, also a target of the MDA’s probe.

“It looks like there’s a good chance he’ll be able to carry on as before the raid. Since the agreement a lot of customers have been coming back.”

Kennedy said that Hebron’s business suffered after the raid, in part because some customers were scared off.

Hebron has agreed to pay a $1,000 administrative fine to the MDA.
The settlement continues to recognize that cow share agreements are legal in Michigan and that Hebron may continue to distribute raw milk to members of the Family Farms Cooperative. The cooperative is Hebron’s own creation.

Hebron has agreed to stop the processing, packaging and repackaging of poultry and other food products until his facilities are in compliance with applicable laws.

According to Kennedy this provision of the agreement will not affect Hebron all that much, because a USDA approved poultry processing facility is coming online soon in Hebron’s area, and he will be able to use it.

Hebron has also agreed not to use any retail establishment as a distribution point for his business.

Hebron and the MDA have also agreed to seek an opinion from the Michigan Attorney General on several questions, including whether Hebron can legally produce and distribute raw dairy products other than milk to members of the cooperative.

The MDA has agreed to return the rest of Hebron’s property that was seized in the raid from last October.

For more information about the raid and subsequent dispute, go online to www.familyfarmscoop.com