Today was a huge day for us at Dee Creek Farm (and for many small farmers!):

Nearly 3 years after e. coli struck our farm, and after civil settlements, WSDA investigations and fines, the FDA has had it's final word with the Puckett's. 

My parents signed a plea agreement in June admitting guilt of knowingly allowing milk from their farm to cross state lines, and that they were milking in facilities not "up to par" with current licensed dairy sanitary regulations; issues from 2005.  Currently the farm has a licensed dairy.  They had neither the funds, nor the desire to oppose the United States Government (FDA) in any way, and so willingly agreed to the above, with the penalty of a strict liability misdemeanor charge, the first and only criminal offense for either of them.  This would mean one year of probation for both, as agreed by my parents' and the FDA attorneys, with the possibility of fines.

We are humbled and honored to announce that today in the Tacoma Federal Courthouse, Honorable Judge Strombom denied the FDA's prosecuting attorneys suggested punishment (as well as the Puckett’s attorneys), and instead sentenced no additional penalties.  No probation and no fines.  This was a miracle!  (They did, however, incur a small court fee, which supporters gathered and paid at the courthouse)

More than a dozen people came to the courthouse to support my parents, many left in tears by the Judge’s mercy.  None of us expected this outcome.  We feel blessed beyond measure!

This was the largest possible miracle we could have hoped for.  And though my parents now have misdemeanors under their belts, they also have peace.  For the first time in a long time, I think they just may sleep all night!  I think we've learned a good lesson about not "putting our treasures" here on Earth, but can now live moving forward, instead of living in the past quite so much.

We would not be here if it were not for the many wonderful customers, friends, and family, as well as assistance that we have received from so many places.  You are all incredible!  We have been praying every day since we first found out that one of our dear friends was sick with e. coli.  Though everything has seemed bleak since then, we feel blessed, and realize that season may have ended, a new one begun.

Your prayers and thoughts (and calls & letters!) have brought us through almost 3 years of fear, hoping for each day to be a good one - and at last we can move on, building a future with what we have.  We are blessed to have you all.  We are blessed to be alive.  And we have been truly blessed to have a merciful Judge.

Summer

You can visit a blog entry here from one of the supporters (my Auntie!) who was at the courthouse hear it firsthand from someone who was at the hearing. This is the first time the media hasn't picked up on the story.