Edwin from the Family Cow Farm gave me permission to share these thoughts from his farm newsletter. (Get that right in your inbox by clicking here.) I'm pretty sure you'll be as OUTRAGED about all of this as I am, and PLEASE see the action links below for how you can easily HELP and if you could do so NOW, you are desperately needed! Here's Edwin…
Note — after you read below, see this post for the latest news: Unbelievable Update on the Amish Farmer Trial
Amish Farmer Sam Girod is in Jail… His Enemies Want Him there for Life
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
~ 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (Holy Bible, King James Version)
This might turn out to be the hardest newsletter I've ever written. I definitely think I've spent the most time on it. I've started over at least 5 times and I still don't like it. But I guess I'll just pour it out like it is and hopefully you can pick up the pieces and make something out of it.
The Facts Aren't Hard to Tell
Samuel Girod, Amish farmer in Kentucky and herbal salve maker, father of twelve… is in jail. He's been there for over a month and he has done absolutely nothing even remotely worthy of treatment of this magnitude. (Sam had made some healing claims on the labeling of his herbal salves and this all escalated from there.) When they came to arrest Sam, they corralled his wife and children into the yard to be guarded by an agent with a semi-automatic rifle. (According to a family friend that I spoke with, his children are still having nightmares.) They put Sam in hand cuffs, hauled him to prison, locked him up without bail and threw enough charges against him (28,000 pages of legal documents) that if they have their way in court Sam will be in prison for the rest of his life. (He's 57 and they want him in prison for 68 years.)
Here's the Background Story
Sam and Elizabeth Girod and their 12 children are Amish farmers in Kentucky. For the last 16 years they have made homemade herbal salves as a family. They sold it from their farm and at a few small stores near them. The family makes three products: A chickweed salve, a bloodroot salve called To-Mor-Gone and an essential oil blend called Sine-Eze.
Their main salve is the one Sam called “Chickweed Healing Salve.” It's made with wild-harvested herbs like chickweed, rosemary, comfrey, peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils as ingredients blended with olive oil and beeswax to stiffen it.
The salve making is not rocket science. Any of you could make these products in your kitchen. In fact many people do. If you Google it, you'll find recipes online like this one. But like so many other areas of life, moms are busy, salve making is messy, and so folks are quite happy to pay Sam and his family to make the salves for them. And so they do.
So the $64,000 question is: What in the world went wrong? How did this peace-loving, quiet, minding-his-own-business, Amish family farmer, father of twelve and loyal American citizen end up in jail for making herbal salves? How is it possible that this simple, God-fearing father, who would, any other year, be out working his fields with his horses getting ready for spring planting, be now sitting behind jail bars… considered a dangerous criminal?
These questions seem to defy answers. But let me show you how easy it actually is to make an innocent man look criminal. Then maybe you'll understand.
Innocent Labeling Misstep
Sam's nightmare started over twelve years ago. Their family was still new in the salve business and he had quite honestly and transparently labeled his one salve as ‘Chickweed Healing Salve' and had healing testimonial claims on the label.
He also did not have the familiar FDA disclaimer that looks like this:
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
Sam, in his simple, disconnected-from-the-world Amish way of life may not have realized that healing claims coupled with the disclaimer omission amounted to a cardinal sin in the eyes of the FDA. Or maybe Sam just didn't feel the disclaimer was truthful or even right to use. Maybe Sam felt it was dishonest to say that his salve was not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease when, of course, that is exactly what his salve is for.
Whatever the reason, Sam was soon to get an education!
To Criminalize a Man
It's fairly easy to criminalize a man… especially if he makes the first misstep. Please stick with me. It's critical that you understand how it's bureaucratically possible to make a good man look bad. How easy it is for otherwise sensible people to rationalize that good is evil and evil is good and that light is darkness. (Isaiah 5:20)
- The entire criminalization of Sam is based on the FDA's official public position that ONLY a drug can “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” They really do say and believe this. And that truthfully is what 100% of this fiasco is based on. As soon as you accept this #1 non-fact as Truth, your mind is perfectly ripe for the next three Orwellian twistings.
- So… since Sam says his herbal salve helps for treating, or preventing a disease, therefore his product is obviously a drug. Point #1 proves point #2. End of discussion.
- So… since this new drug has NOT been approved by us, the FDA, therefore his drug is illegal. [You see how logically this is developing? It's impossible to argue against if you accept #1.]
- So therefore, since Sam has admitted that he's been selling this salve, and we've proved his salve is a drug and an illegal one at that, Sam is admittedly an illegal drug dealer. He's even selling this illegal drug across state lines! So he's actually a National Interstate Drug Dealer. And that makes Sam an exceedingly dangerous criminal! Bind him, men, and take him away!
Humble acknowledgment: It is an integral part of our civil duty as public servants to protect the American public from Illegal drug dealing criminals. We, the knights in shining armor, riding upon white horses have again courageously protected the vulnerable people of our great nation of The United States of America from the alarming menace of an illegal drug cocktail of Rosemary, Beeswax, Olive oil, Peppermint, Chickweed, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Comfrey. (These are the exact ingredients of Sam's Chickweed Healing Salve.)
You will also be relieved to know that the dangerous Amishman who is the mastermind behind this shocking, illegal interstate drug trafficking is now safely behind bars without bail. And if we have our way in court, he’ll be there for the rest of his life. Thanks to us, your children will again play safely in the streets. Long live Truth and Justice in the grand ole USA! We tip our hats to your grateful applause as we ride off into the sunset.
Please excuse the satire. This situation is really not funny.
When the FDA informed Sam that these healing claims made his salve a drug and he was in for big trouble, Sam dutifully and respectfully took the offensive word ‘Healing' off his label, removed the reference to possibly healing of skin cancer and changed the name to ‘Chickweed Salve.' When that still was not good enough, he renamed it again to ‘Original Chickweed.'
Chillingly Familiar Escalation of Force
After the label changes, Sam says all was quiet until about three years ago. Then suddenly everything came roaring back. Apparently a local health official spotted Sam's Chickweed salve in a small convenience store in Missouri. The local official informed a state health official who informed the FDA who swept in and seized the salve.
And the violation? Promotional brochures were found in the Missouri store with testimonials from Sam's customers claiming to be healed from various skin ailments by the salve.
Ah-ha! So, since Sam is still claiming ‘healing' even though it is not on his label this time, the ‘healing' claims are in the same store so that means if we stretch the interpretation just a little we could make a case that Sam is still selling drugs that we have not approved so he's still an illegal drug dealer. Plus now we charge him with selling illegal drugs across state lines!
So the ‘illegal drug' inspections began. To his credit Sam tried to be agreeable and peaceful even though he rightfully insisted that his salves have nothing to do with drugs. His protests fell on deaf ears. They are drugs because you claim they heal, cure or prevent disease.
Sam reluctantly gave the FDA permission to inspect, hoping to pacify them. But he did ask one thing. Since their family is Amish and photography is offensive to their practice of faith he asked that the agents not take pictures. Sam says the FDA agreed that they would not take pictures during the inspection. But, when the agents arrived to do the inspection, they immediately pulled cameras and proceeded to shoot pictures completely breaking their word and completely ignoring and disrespecting Sam's reasonable request to respect his faith.
Is anyone surprised that when the agents later came back unannounced to do another search of Sam's facilities, that this time Sam refused them permission? He no longer trusted them. They had broken their word the previous time, plus they didn't have a search warrant. The deputy sheriff, who had escorted the agents, told the FDA that this was totally within Sam's rights. They legally needed a search warrant to inspect. Gesturing toward the street, the sheriff told the agents, “There's the road.”
The agents left… but they didn't give up. In fact it seems they may have been just a tad irritated that this little bit of a nobody Amish man called their bluff about something as small as keeping their word. He even made them retreat to get a warrant! And he's an illegal drug dealing Amish man at that! No worries, Sam… we will be back with a warrant!
And they were. And the charges escalate with every turn. Sam, (probably naively) is representing himself in court and he has made a few blunders there. He's Amish so he doesn't have a telephone or computer so he's rather hard to communicate with. Because of a miscommunication, he missed a court date a few months ago which has not endeared him to the already irritated prosecutors.
So now he's charged with contempt of court. He's charged with introducing illegal drugs into interstate commerce; charged with manufacturing drugs without a license; charged for misbranding drugs; charged with obstructing or threatening a witness in the federal grand jury indictment (which Sam has no idea what, how, when or who they are referring to with that charge)… He's charged with conspiring with others to prevent, by force, intimidation, and threat FDA agents from discharging the duties of their offices… You get the picture.
If you have been paying attention over the last 25 years to the conduct of federal agents in conflictual situations, these charges and the extreme use of force and weight is chillingly familiar. Unless a miracle happens, the situation does not bode well for Sam or his family. As innocent, non-violent and as peaceful as they may be, one does not speak up to the federal government and win.
Where will it end? We can only hope and pray that it ends better than it has for others in similar situations. I'm saying no names, dates or situations here. I'm just saying that it's eerily familiar.
So What to Do?
Please, join with us in prayer for Sam and his wife Elizabeth and family. This is a real fellow American family in real distress. We do believe in the power of prayer. And we also believe in the power of a peaceful, non-resistant, go-the-second-mile type of response as Jesus taught us to move the hearts of men. If you'd like to send Sam and Elizabeth and family a card or a note of encouragement, their farm address is: 409 Satterfield Lane, Owingsville, KY, 40360. Address it to Elizabeth Girod since Sam is in prison.
And also, join us in prayer for those in authority who seem to us to be unjust, vindictive, unreasonable and unmerciful. Maybe they feel we judge them unfairly too. Maybe they are not as bad as it seems. Maybe there are factors here that they know that we do not know. They are people too… maybe they don't like what their superiors make them do either. Maybe they are also afraid and powerless. If that is the case, pray that they would individually have the strength and moral character to do the right thing even if costs them their job and reputation.
Also pray for Dawn and I and our family. We are concerned about the actions of these folks. And no, we are not being controlled by the ‘spirit of fear.'
“For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound mind.”
~2 Timothy 1:7
As you know, we are fully licensed, tested, inspected and regulated by the PA department of Ag and fully legal in all regards in everything we do. Yet, down inside we recognize our own vulnerability.
We would be in denial if we did not deeply recognize how easily and quickly these same folks could also criminalize a little nobody Mennonite farmer and his family from PA. After all, we also publish stories from our own experience and stories from our customers that show how raw milk and raw milk kefir can heal, cure or for sure at least prevent some diseases. So does that make The Family Cow raw milk a drug?
According to the FDA it does. Will we be the next ones with a target on our backs for selling illegal ‘drugs,' producing ‘drugs' without a drug license, aiding and abetting those who take these same ‘drugs' across state lines?
Put yourselves in our shoes. I think you can sympathize even if you are of cooler blood and think we are over thinking this. We might be. Just remember… some of Sam's friends thought so too.
What else to do:
See the action links below!!!
Prayers and Blessings,
Your farmer ~ Edwin
for the Shank Family and Family Cow Team
Action links:
- Sign this petition, quick!
- Give to the GoFundMe account here: Support Sam Now.
More info:
- ***Here is Sam's sentencing update from 6/30/2017
- Why the FDA Loves Going After the Amish: When it comes to powerful well-funded federal agencies looking to set precedent, the Amish have a special target on their backs. Why? Because they generally don’t use lawyers which makes them easy prey. They don’t use lawyers because the Amish are non-violent and non-resistant. Meaning they don’t fight back. Ever. (Source)
More you might like:
- Need help knowing which food is REAL food? Click here for my book, Real Food for Rookies
top photo, Creative Commons 2.0
Debbie Cartin says
Oh my what is our world coming too!! I am sure if given a second chance they would have relabeled the product. Like we don’t have any harden criminals left in this world to go after and put in jail they have to be so harsh on this one Christian person. I can not understand this world we live in at times it seems to be getting worse each day. Best wishes to this family that something will change for them. My prayers will go out to them always.
Gayle Lewandowski says
This is all due to big Pharma being afraid of local movements that make their own remedies that actually work. It takes money out of the pockets of big corporations and could totally disrupt the mission of keeping people dependant on doctors and pharmaceuticals. Government is not there to represent us but to regulate us and this man was not a “good little slave” to the corporate structure. I hope he wins his case. It will set a precedent for many others that are walking in his footsteps.
danielle says
This is bull shit leave this Amish family alone
Andy King says
Dah, He broke the law…
Char says
Does this person have an attorney that can fight for him?
Trish says
Kelly, I saw on Sally Oh’s FB page where Sam was found guilty on all counts. I cannot find anything on the internet that shows the final day of the ‘hearing’. Do you have anything?
KitchenKop says
Trish, no I can’t find it either, I keep checking Sally’s page thinking she’ll have info on the final day soon. I did see some info on her FB page though.
Kelly
KitchenKop says
Here’s scoop on day 2 of the trial: https://www.kyfreepress.com/2017/03/trial-fda-v-samuel-girod-day-2/
KitchenKop says
Oh noooo, just found out he was found guilty on all counts!!!! How can this be?
Follow the FB conversation here:
https://www.facebook.com/KellytheKitchenKop/posts/10154161104306262
Kelly
Trish Ayres says
I’m sorry that I didn’t see this until just now. Poor Sam…
Cherie says
I could not agree more. This is a ridiculous situation. So much wrong doing escapes notice and this is so unjust. When I was at school the bullies picked on the quiet ones … nothing has changed.
Jennie Shippy says
https://aclj.org/ I think someone with the ACLU should get involved!!
Linda j.feger says
I believe this is wrong , they bother no one an don`t force their products on anyone , They don`t depend upon the government to support them when they have bad year , so let them along ..
Joann says
Who needs to worry about Mexicans, Russians Chinese ect Cartels….bringing in Marijuana, Cocaine ect.. illegally into our Country when we have dangerous criminals like this Amish Farmer selling Rosemary, Beeswax, Olive oil, Peppermint, Chickweed, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Comfrey salves in America..smh …really?? The Gov. and Doctors will do anything to keep people away from a cure that will bring Pharmaceuticals down financially. This is our disgusting Judicial System…prayers for the family :'(
stuntgrunt says
I feel your trust in the FDA is rather naive. The Law and FDA are in place to protect the “Snake Oil Salesmen” that are big pharma, they are not in the business of protecting consumers.
Tracy says
What happened at the trial or is it still ongoing?
KitchenKop says
Tracy, check out the links here in the comments for updates. 🙂
Kelly
Birger Andre Ruud says
Prayer from Sweden! I am really sorry for the wickedness I this would! My prayers go to the family and that the father is koming home! All prayer in the name of Yeshua Ha-Mashiach…..
Michelle Polcz says
This isn’t the worst of it folks. In my neck of the woods-upstate ny-the Amish are having a hard time selling their milk to milk industries because the industries in combination w/the government are now demanding they agree to having SS# assigned to them. My question is.. Where did their freedom of religion go. They are now having a hard time surviving because the selling of their milk was a huge part of their income. Now they are having to change what they’re handy in to what will bring in an income to feed their families.
Peggy Oliver says
I am not unsympathetic to this man’s situation, but he was selling a product that was associated with claims of healing. Even if the product made no claims, there were testimonials making claims near the product.
This makes the Amish farmer not significantly different from snake oil salesmen of previous centuries. He is selling a product that he admittedly believes has healing properties. He is advertising this product via testimonials which he solicited and placed at the same point of sale as the product.
Ergo, the Amish farmer is selling a product that meets the legal definition of a drug. Once you market your product as a drug it falls under the control of the FDA. We expect this kind of protection. If we purchase snake oil we want proof that it will do what it is claimed.
The sad thing is that there are 100 ways to avoid selling a drug while you are still selling a beneficial ointment. Health food stores do this all of the time. So do people that peddle essential oils or vitamins or food supplements.
It is most unfortunate that the Amish man removed the health claims from his products and then created a pamphlet that reassociated them.
Do I think he should be treated like a drug dealer? Of course not. I think he should pay a fine, be required to educate himself about these laws and submit to probation to insure he does not fall into this trap again.
We have way too many serious drug problems to waste time on such a trivial issue. It is important to remember one thing. This could have been a con artist disguised as an Amish farmer marketing his salve as. Miracle cure to desperate people for hundreds of dollars. The FDA protects us from these men, but when a naive Amish farmer falls right into the definition problems will arise.
Danielle Farmer Malik says
I work very closely with the Amish community and I will say that people who make outrageous health claims are known to take advantage of the community. It happens.all.the.time.
Chris Nars Koponen says
Unbelievable
Phyllisann Godfrey says
Boo!
Lyn Gorski says
Read this article with much interest and checked my tin of salve on my desk which I bought 2-3 yrs ago from an Amish store in IN labeled “Chickweed Healing Salve.” Made by S.A.E.G.!! I have used it especially for poison ivy and irritations that my cats get occasionally.
Leo J Perras says
Close down the FDA and horse whip the agents, FDA administrators, FDA lawyers and anyone pushing to lock this farmer up forlife,.
Tracy says
Now you’re talking.
George-Lori Brent says
Just nuts
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
This is how Edwin closed his email today: So… let’s continue praying and helping in whatever way we can. Thank you so much for all the support that you have given so far. Remember to pray not just for Sam and Elizabeth. But also pray for the Judge, the jury, and the prosecuting regulators. We are not told to just pray about them or pray about the situation. We are told to pray for all men!
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all…” ~ Holy Bible, 1st Timothy 2:1-6
Note: This Remedy, my friends… is fully intended and effective to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any and every disease of soul and spirit. Plus, if taken with pure faith, many times it is known to bring physical healing and protection too! 🙂
Blessings on your day!
Your farmer ~ Edwin Shank
http://www.yourfamilyfarmer.com
T says
I am praying for the entire family. Father God will meet their needs,give them favor and freedom.Father God give the judge divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit be their advocate Amen.
KitchenKop says
AMEN and thank you T!
Kelly
Hilary Dyer says
While I’m shocked at this it does smack of Kent Hovinds imprisonment and it may be that in God’s plan this man may be of more use to God in with the prisoners. They need to hear the message and maybe this man can bring it…..
Kelley Stone Williams says
https://www.kyfreepress.com/2017/02/fda-v-sam-girod-trial-day-1/
Kelley Stone Williams says
An update from our local farmer:
https://www.icontact-archive.com/NGPZGNZ0MsM61WcVJ3rpFm-uN5hSAHCW?w=4
Andre-Julie Turbide says
Absolutely pitiful
Sally_Oh says
Thank you, Kelly!!! Publicity is the most important thing right now. I’m working on a report of day 1 of the trial, I will send you a link. xoxoxoxo big hug!!!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Great thanks Sally!! Feel free to post it right in the comments here.
Kelly
Sally_Oh says
Here you go 🙂 https://www.kyfreepress.com/2017/02/fda-v-sam-girod-trial-day-1/
Bridget Rojas says
Somebody needs to find an attorney with the gumption to point out that if our governatorial bodies believe small children have the intelligence and ability to choose their gender despite their biological makeup, then surely adults, and even kids, also can use that same intelligence to decide if they are going to use herbs as seasoning, medicines, prophylaxis, etc. This country is so messed up it’s pathetic.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
VERY good point.
Linda says
Sadly true.
Karen Heide says
But if you are rich and murder or rape someone you get your hands slap and 90 minutes in jail. This is insane. Amish are peaceful people who would never break the law on purpose.
Heather Hall says
Meanwhile, we have to put Narcan in the pharmacy because of heroin problem.
Anne Corazzi says
Not right
Kirsten Evans says
I’m absolutely, positively not a fan of the farce that’s called the FDA, but there are rules dictating exactly how one may label their products, depending upon whether they’re soap, cosmetic, or drug. I’m a soap artisan, and labeling is very important. There are acceptable lists of descriptive words that fall within the parameters of labeling laws. Whatever one’s intent is or if there may be ignorance involved, it does not absolve one from following the laws. The onus is on the artisan to ensure they’re compliant, as well as ensuring public customer reviews reflect these laws. It’s not difficult to do.
Sally_Oh says
No, it’s not difficult to do and he did it. But the FDA didn’t leave him alone, did they? He complied with everything the judge asked and still the FDA did not lift the injunction.
To whom do you complain when a federal agency does everything in its power to bankrupt you? And how long will it take and how much money will it cost you to fight back? I’ve been under that thumb and I can tell you for certain there is NO ONE to call.
There are immoral and unconstitutional laws, just ask Rosa Parks. FDA rules and regs (which carry the force of law by ARMED FDA agents) are not designed to protect you and me. They are designed to protect big pharma. See Margaret Hamburg’s new job. Look up Michael Taylor, former head of the FDA’s food division under Bush and Obama.
If we are to remain a free people, it is our obligation to break immoral and unconstitutional laws. Perhaps quietly in our own homes, but break them nonetheless.
Not that Sam broke any laws for that reason — the labeling infraction was completely innocent. (He’s my neighbor, I know him well.) But the rest of us better take freedom into our own hands — like buying raw milk and supporting small farmers — or our kids and grandkids will live in a very different world.
Linda says
It’s the mental laziness of the people who create these monsters, when they demand the government protect them from everything. Insurance racket, frivilous lawsuits, lawyers, all become involved in the ever escalating growth of a bureaucracy and its abuse of power. People must learn to take responsibility for their own choices. No one in the end is looking out in your best interests but yourself. FDA, protects the consumer? If destroying competition is protecting the consumer, then so be it. But I have my doubt.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
But is life in prison an appropriate penalty? That’s the issue here. And the label itself had been adjusted to be compliant with the law, but there were separate brochures with customer testimonials that were interpreted as drug claims.
Sarah Swarey says
I agree with you Kelly the Kitchen Kop,. I do believe he could’ve been more careful to follow their requirements but if you see him getting life in prison for wrong wording compared to rapists and murderers getting slapped with 4 -10 years…just so very wrong!
Kirsten Evans says
Of course life in prison is overreach. No doubt. But yes, even customer testimonials are a consideration in making brochures, and they too must be compliant. Follow Marie Gale’s labeling information (online as well as in print for those who do not use Internet technology) for easy to understand guidelines.
Ally Schuetzler says
SIGNED
Yvonne Kelley Gipson says
I wish I could say I can’t believe this is happening but this is the kind of things the government thinks is important to prosecute. I don’t have much faith in the FDA anymore, or other government agencies. Where will they go from here? Raw milk will be illegal, growing your own food will be illegal, homeopathic remedies will be illegal? Even though I put more faith in these things than Big Pharma & government. This is unacceptable & has to be stopped now before it becomes a much bigger problem. This worries me quite a bit!
Gary Roberts says
It already is. Just doesn’t get covered by the news. There are a lot of folks out there that legally own land that have self sustained farms and generate their own energy that don’t need much from this set up “economy” we have. They are harassed all the time by our bullying government. Being smart enough to cut them out of the pie is Illegal and frowned upon in their eyes.
Yvonne Kelley Gipson says
I know things are worse than we’re told because the media doesn’t cover it. I try to research & learn on my own but there’s so much. I believe it’s illegal in Florida to live off the grid. If that’s your choice, you should be allowed to do it. The government is too involved in most things & blocks us from doing well. I hope to be self sustaining on a piece of land someday & I’m sure it’ll be a headache fighting this kind of nonsense.
Jennifer Vec says
🙁
Joselyn Lyons says
When is this crock of an organization going to get taken down???
Mary Eaton says
This world is upside down. What is good is considered bad and what is bad is considered good.
Ally Schuetzler says
Revelations comes to mind often.
Gary Roberts says
World? Not the whole world, there is a lot of good in it. Just not in ours and many other governing bodies.
Beth Lacombe Reed says
Regulations…
Lesley Grubb says
WHAT???
Claire Shepard says
Thank you for sharing this. I was wondering what had happened to this family. It is so heart breaking. Prayers sent and blessings to you.
Jeanette Ron Roberts says
Smh.. We have to do things in secret or face the wrath of government.. Its unbelievable how wrong they are and get away with it.. Ron
Barbara Frasier says
Gestapo
Cyndi Hen says
Why in the world do we give the govt the power to make these decisions? I would like to retain the right to educate myself and choose for myself what is safe and effective for my own family.
Linda says
This is frustrating to read another case of govt going after the little guy trying to make an honest living while protecting the real criminals in this country. I signed the petition & am going to write to Pres. Trump who promised to drain the swamp.
Christie Lynn Edds Cali says
The FDA is really becoming a criminal cabal with police powers.
Steve Runyan says
Never draw attention from the f d a. They will turn you into nothing.
Gary Roberts says
Then it is time to stand up to our governing body. This is America. If you are living in fear of your government, then there is a problem obviously.
Cindy Shook says
In the FDA’s mind he was selling illegal drugs. He sold a salve and changed the wording on the label several times trying to be compliant with the FDA but it wasn’t good enough. What a legal system we have.
Johna Marie Leaper Wright says
President Trump/Pence Administration,seen this?
Jill Boman says
Ooh, this chafes my hide! That poor man and his poor wife and children! And this is how my tax dollars are spent: Harassment, abuse, and shameful persecution of an innocent man trying to make a living while actually helping people! It would have saved taxpayers a lot of money and actually been the right thing to do to simply help this man navigate labeling laws, but obviously solving the problem was never their goal. Meanwhile pharmaceuticals (actual drugs, not chickweed salves) KILL over 100,000 people every year, even more than illegal drugs. This sweet man’s salve is NOT a drug, illegal or not and no herbal salve has ever killed-or even harmed to the best of my knowledge-anyone. I feel like Indigo Montoya from The Princess Bride: “Why do you keep using that word? I do not think it means what you think it means.”. Who, exactly, is the FDA supposed to be protecting again? The only protection happening here is of the pharmaceutical industry’s commercial interests. If the FDA was in the business of actually protecting people, they’d be going after Pharma continually-and have their hands way too full to harass innocent farmers.
KitchenKop says
YES to all of that!!!!!!!!!!! (Not enough exclamation points.)
Rachel says
I signed and donated, but really wish there was more we could do! It’s such a shame this happens.
KitchenKop says
Thanks SO much Rachel, and I know, me too! I sure hope people are gathering down there and raising heck over this!!!!
Susan says
Kel-
I signed the petition, contacted Trump, and I made a donation, as well. As you know things are tough around here, but I have a roof over my head, and food in the freezer, so it’s better if my grocery money for this week goes to help Sam.
This is just awful! Nothing irks me more than when government agencies mess with the little guy! We have to stand up and be heard or nothing will ever change. It’s the typical thinking of bullies: they do it cause they can!!
Please everyone! Take a few minutes to help Sam and his family. This should not only tick you off because of how they are treating this poor man, but it should tick you off that your tax dollars are being spent to do so! Speak up!!
KitchenKop says
Sus, yes I DO know how tough things have been for you guys lately, so this REALLY blows me away at your big heart and I hope it moves others to do the same.
Big hugs!
Kel