Staff Reports
Samuel B. Fisher, a Virginia cattle farmer, has been targeted by the big bad government for simply selling meat to his customers. Fisher runs Golden Valley Farms, a picturesque 100-acre farm near Farmville, Virginia. One day in June, a representative from the Virginia Department of Agriculture (VDAC) showed up unannounced and demanded to inspect Fisher’s farm. They claimed that he was selling meat that was not processed at a USDA-inspected facility. But Fisher is just a small farmer, he doesn’t have the resources to send his meat off to some big factory. He processes it right on his farm and sells it directly to his customers. Who knew that was a crime?
The VDAC inspector wasn’t satisfied with just a quick look around the farm. They came back the next day with a search warrant and raided the entire place, sticking their noses in everything. They even tagged Fisher’s walk-in freezer and declared that he couldn’t touch the meat inside. Fisher was outraged. He has a family to feed and these government bureaucrats were trying to take away his livelihood. So, he made the brave decision to continue selling the meat, even though he knew it could result in fines or penalties from the state. Fisher says, “This ain’t right. We’re going to feed our family. We’re going to feed our customers.”
Big Government Has Come for This Small-Town Amish Farmer. Here's How He's Fighting Back. https://t.co/7drvhfRn66
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 18, 2023
But the state didn’t take kindly to Fisher’s defiance. They took him to court and a judge authorized the seizure and disposal of all of Fisher’s meat products. He was also charged with a misdemeanor and forced to pay a fine. In the end, the government got what they wanted – they shut down Fisher’s operation and took away his ability to provide for his family and customers.
This is just another example of government overreach and interference in the lives of hardworking Americans. The state should have no right to dictate how a farmer runs his business or what food he serves to his customers. Fisher was simply providing a high-quality product to people who wanted it. But of course, the government thinks it knows better. Well, I for one support Samuel Fisher and his fight against these government bullies. It’s time we stand up for our freedoms and let the little guy have a chance to succeed.
