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Farm at center of raw-milk debate returns to court

The owners of an East Troy farm at the center of the raw milk debate are expected in Walworth County Circuit Court Thursday where they hope to have their Grade A milk license reinstated, according to a story in Tuesday's Capital Times.

Mark and Petra Zinniker's Nourished by Nature farm was shut down in September after state officials said 35 people from Walworth, Waukesha and Racine counties were diagnosed with a bacterial infection from drinking raw milk produced on the farm.

For years, the Zinniker's provided the milk through a cow-share arrangement where the cows are actually owned by others, allowing them to drink the milk.

Supporters said the farmers were unfairly targeted, and legislators proposed a bill to allow the sale of raw milk.

In the mean time, A settlement was reached in December where the Zinnikers admitted the violations but the case was be held open and they will not be fined.

Although the raw-milk bill passed the legislature, Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed the bill, noting that the dairy industry is the centerpiece of Wisconsin Agriculture, and feared an outbreak of contaminated milk could hurt dairy farmers.

But since the state came in a shut down the cow-share operation, the Zinnikers lost their Grade A dairy license when nearby dairy processors chose to no longer pick up their milk, according to a story in Tuesday's Capital Times.

The story goes on to say that under state law, a farm's dairy license is suspended if no one picks up its milk for 30 days. Since August, the Zinnikers have had nearly no income, and producers continue not to take milk from the farm. The families who participate in the cow-lease program, however, are still paying for the animals to be cared for by the Zinnikers.

For that reason, the Walworth County judge Thursday is being asked to issue a temporary restraining order, followed by a preliminary injunction, that would allow the Zinnikers to start milk pickups to allow them to make some money until the final judgment is made.