Feds threatening Michigan family farm with armed raid

[donnay]

Feds threatening Michigan family farm with armed raid



Friday, January 31, 2014
by: J. D. Heyes

A Michigan farmer says he could be facing an armed raid by government agents soon, following a lengthy disagreement with state Department of Natural Resources officials over his refusal to obey an order to kill his feral pigs.

Mark Baker, owner of Baker's Green Acres, told Natural News in an interview that he was informed recently by a former business associate that local state and federal agriculture officials have been forbidden from contacting him because he is potentially dangerous.

In particular, he said, one USDA field agent whom the associate identified as Tom Gallagher, allegedly labeled Baker, a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran, as a "gun-wielding lunatic" and said agency supervisors have made it clear that only "armed DNR [Department of Natural Resources] agents" are allowed to visit Baker's property.

"[H]e stated vehemently that he and any other MDARD [Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development] employee[s] were expressly forbidden from visiting or in any way contacting Mark Baker or Baker's Green Acres," Baker said in a letter to the Missaukee County Sheriff's Department, informing law enforcement officials of the incident. "This was an order that 'came down from the top.' He also stated that only 'armed DNR agents' would visit our farm and that [I] was portrayed as a 'gun-wielding lunatic.'"

"I consider this to be a threat to me and my family," Baker, who retired from the Air Force, wrote.

Continued...


This is Mark Baker's web site: http://bakersgreenacres.com/

[angelatc]

I'm not giving Natural News any clicks.

Last I heard there were 4 farmers, including Baker, suing the DNR because the regulations were so ambiguous.

The whole thing smacks of big pork. Michigan already has a law on the books to deal with feral pigs. You can shoot them any time they are on your property. If you have a hunting license for any other kind of animal (like deer) , you can shoot them anywhere and anytime you can legally hunt whatever you're actually hunting.

[donnay]

I'm not giving Natural News any clicks.

Last I heard there were 4 farmers, including Baker, suing the DNR because the regulations were so ambiguous.

The whole thing smacks of big pork. Michigan already has a law on the books to deal with feral pigs. You can shoot them any time they are on your property. If you have a hunting license for any other kind of animal (like deer) , you can shoot them anywhere and anytime you can legally hunt whatever you're actually hunting.

Big Pork? You mean Big Agra, right?

[Deborah K]

Sounds similar to a family who was raising sheep. They lost almost everything. Their story is in the documentary 'Farmageddon'. Found here:

http://twomovies.name/watch_movie/Farmageddon

[angelatc]

Big Pork? You mean Big Agra, right?

No, I mean the big corporate pork producers. I don't think the corn and soy farmers care too much about the pigs.

[satchelmcqueen]

same thing as the milk industry it sounds like.

[Jamesiv1]

Michigan already has a law on the books to deal with feral pigs. You can shoot them any time they are on your property. If you have a hunting license for any other kind of animal (like deer) , you can shoot them anywhere and anytime you can legally hunt whatever you're actually hunting.

It's about his *refusal* to kill them, that's what I don't get. Why would anybody (especially Big Pork) give a flip?

A Michigan farmer says he could be facing an armed raid by government agents soon, following a lengthy disagreement with state Department of Natural Resources officials over his refusal to obey an order to kill his feral pigs.

[Origanalist]

I'm not giving Natural News any clicks.

Last I heard there were 4 farmers, including Baker, suing the DNR because the regulations were so ambiguous.

The whole thing smacks of big pork. Michigan already has a law on the books to deal with feral pigs. You can shoot them any time they are on your property. If you have a hunting license for any other kind of animal (like deer) , you can shoot them anywhere and anytime you can legally hunt whatever you're actually hunting.

Do you click Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, AP?

[Henry Rogue]

It's about his *refusal* to kill them, that's what I don't get. Why would anybody (especially Big Pork) give a flip?

I don't know all the facts, but in general, businesses prefer less competition. If they can use government as a tool to squash competition they will. Established businesses form associations, lobby legislators to write barriers to entry and zealous government bureaucrats take care of the rest.