Amos Miller - Charlatan or Excessively Deceptive?
Businessman benefits at the expense of hard-working farmers and consumers
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Several people have brought to my attention that there has not been a public explanation or resolution to the Amos Miller case. And from what they are hearing, it’s been quietly resolved.
So I did a little digging.
Amos Miller is a farmer who made headlines last summer.
What for?
Ostensibly for “standing up to an oppressive government.”
But that is simply not accurate.
I cover the facts of his case here and here and here in chronological order.
There is no short version of what happened. You’re gonna have to read the nitty gritty details and see for yourself the types of shenanigans he got into.
His antics create a situation where it is harder to find and access good, clean, local food.
Not only that, but it appears that this “humble small Amish farmer” raised over half a million dollars publicly viewable today on the untruths and/or lies he told and perpetuated.
Buyer beware.
Donor beware.
His case was propelled into the fast lane last August by Tucker Carlson covering it–inaccurately. And to Tucker’s defense, how could he begin to remotely know about any black market, sovereign citizen Amish culture?
The main point was to talk about government overreach in our food systems.
The thing is, there ARE real problems in our food system.
Government regulations are onerous on small producers.
Our food systems are corrupt beyond imagination.
But Miller’s case was not a good example to use.
Now, it appears that Amos’ whole ordeal and court case are winding down. Amos capitulated and is in complete compliance with the USDA FSIS food safety regulations. This was the only possible conclusion according to the USDA and court documents.
6 years ago, before he was even visited by a lead FSIS investigator with the USDA–some advisors told Amos that the only solution was to use water (steam) or a form of organic cider vinegar or citrus to treat his meats. As well as cleaning up his farm and his extremely “relaxed” production quality standards and practices. Any other action at all would damage the hard fought advocacy that many people have toiled over for decades.
Amos chose to pursue his agenda and short term, exorbitant profits instead at great cost to customers, farmers, advocates across the board, and the American taxpayer.
At a time when so many of us are working hard to create actual change in our food systems and bring about meaningful reform in those overburdensome regulations, Amos Miller’s antics set us all backwards.
As Amos was egocentrically putting his personal case in the media, stamping his foot in temper tantrums, and, eventually capitulating to all the current regs, he could have put all that effort, expense, and energy into working towards actual exemptions from burdensome, cost-prohibitive regulations. Exemptions that would benefit all small farmers and those who rely on them.
At least one main blueprint for this solution already exists. It’s called the PRIME Act and it is legislation that expands current meat processing exemptions for farmers. It’s a win-win for all of us seeking clean, local meats.
These are problem-specific solutions that benefit all of America’s farmers that Amos could have chosen.
Instead, Amos focused on himself. He lied to you about the predicament and about the outcome. He garnered fear-triggered support and fundraising from thousands of Americans who care about freedom and who don’t want to see government overreach. And he did it all at the expense of true reform.
Once he realized his case failed, only then did he start looking towards other solutions–such as ones suggested to him over 6 years ago.
Meanwhile, by all appearances, his business is booming. With ever-increasing and already exorbitant prices, Amos is not the people’s farmer. He is in business for himself, and by many indications, a tiny minority of fringe extremists who want to overthrow the government.
His “private membership association (PMA)” shenanigans hold no water to the reality of farmers in business. As for whatever “magic protection” his PMA held until he lost his case, well, he single-handedly set precedent as to how PMA’s don’t work in these circumstances.
That’s a money maker there…
Miller uses the worst kind of sales tactic known. Fear. He uses untruths and/or blatant lies. He uses textbook antics to create a rabid following to increase his own bottom line. He has, and by all indications, will continue to do this while watching honest, hard working farmers and food system change agents with integrity do the hard work while he reaps the rewards.
I encourage you to not buy into his narrative.
Amos Miller’s actions and words to this point could be described by many people as that of a charlatan at best.
To see real transformation in our food systems, we need to do better than that.
The change in our food system that we need is a change for all. Not a change that benefits only the greediest, most selfish, money raking businessmen in farmer’s clothing.
About Raw Milk Mama: I believe in the freedom to feed our families how we see fit. I also see the direction that our country is going--no one wants to live in a world where food scarcity is a constant reality. It's time to take back our food systems so they serve us, not monopolistic corporations.
It has been disheartening to see YT influencers and even Tucker rally to defend Infamous Amos because his mustache-less long beard; big hat; and rubber boots imply that he operates a wholesome and humble Amish farm.
Were we played? Whoever believes that big exclusive, secretive cults and religious organizations are really there for the good of their members or of anything else may have to face the music. I have known for a long time that the Amish were not who they pretend to be and it is sad and with much anger I say this because so many good people are hurt by membership in groups like this, especially women and children.