Raw milk farmer Hershberger acquitted on 3 of 4 counts

Jury finds man not guilty of operating dairy plant, selling retail food

BARABOO, Wis. — A Wisconsin dairy farmer has been acquitted on three of four counts in a trial related to the sale of raw milk.

The Journal-Sentinel reported that dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger was found guilty on one charge of violating a holding order placed on products at his farm after a 2010 raid. Hershberger could get up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The jury returned their verdict early Saturday morning after four hours of deliberation.

They found 41-year-old Hershberger not guilty of charges that he sold retail food, produced milk and operated a dairy plant without proper state licenses.

His supporters have said he was targeted because he sold raw milk through a private buying club with several hundred members.