Also in Politics & Social Justice

Mad Sheep

The True Story Behind the USDA's War on a Family Farm

by Linda Faillace

Foreword by Ronnie Cummins

Reader Reviews

And you think it cannot happen in America

We tend to forget that this country was founded on agricultural principles. With the industrialization of food, farmers have come under scrutiny by various agencies of the government because of the multi-national business arrangements they, particularly the USDA, have. Mad Sheep is a perfect example of what is happening on family farms in the United States. Driven by greed and fueled by fear of being condemned in the global market, USDA makes up a scenario that could absolutely not happen, that being BSE in sheep, and ruins the dreams of another law abiding family.

I read this book in just 24 hours. It has been a long time since a book just wouldn't let me put it down. Perhaps it is because I too am a homesteader and have sheep every year. When the USDA came to take the Falliace's sheep, my tears started to flow, hard.

Mr and Mrs Consumer who know nothing about farming, know nothing about where your food really comes from, know nothing about the encroachment of the government into our personal lives, you need to read this book to get a glimpse of what life will be like for you once an agency of the government decides they want something that you have.

—Posted by Henwhisperer, Amazon Reviews, January 9, 2007

After reading Mad Sheep you will really wonder what in the heck our country is doing "bringing democracy" to the middle east when we cleary don't have democracy here at home. The treatment of the Faillace's (good friends of mine and my husband's) by our government is sickening. While we have heard their story first-hand many times, reading the book brings it all together. When my husband Ray read the book a few months ago, he said that his biggest concern is that people won't believe that this really happened - how could this happen in the United States of America? But it did. Linda has done an amazing job presenting complex science in a way that everyone can understand and then interweaving it with the heartwrenching story of how government officials from the USDA and Vermont Agency of Agriculture destroyed their business and killed their sheep accused of having a disease that does not exist in sheep (substantiated by ALL negative tests). If you believe that this can happen in the US this book will confirm what you already know and make you angry! If you don't believe that this can happen in the US, then you really need to read this book and make your own decision. Just be sure you have lots of Kleenex and a punching bag available!

—Robin McDermott

Letter: Read this book

Wallowa County Chieftain
October 6, 2006

I read a book Saturday, from cover to cover, and could hardly put it down. It is called "Mad Sheep" and is the story of the Faillace family of Vermont who had its sheep taken by the government back in 2000. Some of you might remember it; we didn't have a TV then, and didn't watch any news (we were among the complacent and too busy to be involved).

The story received lots of news coverage, but the whole story wasn't told. The case was presented as if the sheep were carrying a disease or had been exposed to or had the genetics of diseased sheep. This book is extremely well written and documented and tells how the USDA lied about tests, used a lab that was not approved and was later closed due to filth and shoddy management, and so on.

In fact, the sheep were healthy and the owners proved this point over and over during their long fight with the USDA trying to save their sheep.

More than a story about this family and their sad situation, it is a wakeup call to all Americans that shows just how corrupt our government has become, and the extremes they will go to for big business.

What it boiled down to, was that Monsanto and big business needed a kill to show Japan and other European markets that our government is tough about BSE. (Mad Cow disease). So they used these healthy sheep as "scapegoats", not caring that it was all made up - a big lie.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle were involved in the demise of this business. Gov. Howard Dean, and Sen. Patrick Leahy both supported the sheep initially but then also sold out.

Two of the worst were Sec. of Ag. Anne Venneman, and Dr. Linda Detwiler with the USDA, and formerly an employee of Monsanto. Detwiler presented records she knew to be false to everyone in a decision making position regarding this case. She knew the lab she used was not certified and that the tests used to "prove" USDA's position were not valid. She should be in prison.

My point is that, when push comes to shove, the Democrats are not any better than the Republicans. When the choice is between the little guy and the pocket full of money, guess who wins.

Everyone should read this book. It isn't just the fact that these sheep were killed - it is about the government putting money and foreign markets before the rights of American citizens. It is only going to get worse!

Today, I learned that GMO alfalfa is being grown here in Wallowa County. There is no doubt - this will ruin organic alfalfa and any business with organic dairy herds that the farmers who grow organic alfalfa sell to. Anyone who has organic beef, and feeds their herd supposedly organic hay from here in the county, will soon not be feeding them organic hay. It will be ruined by GMO alfalfa seed.

Issues like these are what I believe are important. Those of us who care need to band together in non-partisan groups and do something about these important issues.

Thomas Jefferson said, " When the government fears the people, you have liberty. When the people fear the government, you have tyranny."

I fear we are now in the midst of tyranny.

Pat Smith
Enterprise