Wisconsin: Zinniker Lawsuit against DATCP

Defending the rights and broadening the freedoms of family farms and protecting
consumer access to raw milk and nutrient dense foods.

OVERVIEW

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund et al v. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection
FTCLDF has brought suit against the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) on behalf of Fund members, dairy farmers Mark and Petra Zinniker, as well as individuals who are members of an LLC (Nourished by Nature) that owns cows boarded at the Zinnikers' farm. The suit claims that herdshares are legal in Wisconsin and that an LLC and its members are entitled to board the LLC's cows at the farm of an experienced dairy farmer.

Plaintiffs (P): FTCLDF; Mark & Petra Zinniker; Nourished By Nature, LLC; Gayle Loiselle; Robert Karp

Defendants (D): Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection (DATCP); Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary

Judge (J): Dane County Circuit Court – Patrick J. Fiedler [J2]; transferred from Walworth County Circuit Court - Judge John R. Race [J1]

UPDATES | DOCUMENTS | PRESS RELEASES | RELATED NEWS

UPDATES

To view the Court Record Events, go to "Case Search" at www.wicourts.gov and click on "Wisconsin Circuit Court Access". Search for Dane County Case Number 2010CV003884 and Walworth County Case Number 2010CV000302.

Sep 22, 2010 - The Court transferred the case to Dane County and this case is now the subject of a DATCP motion to consolidate this case with another case. More….

May 24, 2010 - The State of Wisconsin has answered the complaint, denied all the allegations, and has asked the court to move the case to another county. More….

DOCUMENTS

Oct 6, 2010 [J2] - Motion Granted to Consolidate

Jul 16, 2010 [J1] – Order for Change of Venue to Dane County [waiving fees]

Jun 28, 2010 [J1] – Order for Change of Venue to Dane County

Jun 16, 2010 [D] – Answer to First Amended Complaint

Jun 14, 2010 [D] - Notice of Motion and Motion to Consolidate[GrassWay case]

Jun 10, 2010 [P] – Demand for Trial by Jury

           Affidavit of Gayle Loiselle

           Petition for Temporary Injunction [denied]

Jun 3, 2010 [P] – First Amended Complaint

Response to Defendant's Motion to Change Venue

Apr 26, 2010 [D] – Amended Notice of Motion and Motion to Change Venue

Apr 13, 2010 [D] - Answer

Notice on Motion and Motion to Change Venue