Michael Schmidt: Organic Hero or Bioterrorist

Overview

The story of raw organic milk in Canada and the consumer’s right to choose It is illegal to distribute raw milk in Canada. In November 2006, twenty-five armed officers raided Michael Schmidt’s Glencolton Farms as he drove up the lane in his old Blue Bus on the way to deliver raw milk to his cow-share members in Toronto. Officials confiscated raw milk, cheese-making equipment, computers, and files. This film follows a year in the life of a Canadian activist farmer as he struggles to provide his “farm fresh milk” while battling authorities. Schmidt prepares for his trial and attempts to find a political solution to legally provide raw (unpasteurized) organic milk in Canada.

Keywords

Cast

Michael Schmidt

Himself - Raw Milk Farmer

Hazel Lynn

Herself - Medical Officer of Health Grey Bruce

Mansel Griffiths

Himself - PhD, Director of Research Institute for Food Safety, Guelph University

Milena Corredig

Herself - PhD, Research Chair, Food Science, Guelph University

Randy Hillier

Himself - Ontario Landowners Association

Marc Thuet

Himself - Chef and Owner of Thuet Restaurant

Bill Mitchell

Himself - Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Mark MaAfee

Himself - Organic Pastures Dairy Co.

Tom Ventham

Himself - Farmer at Plaw Hatch