USDA inspector visited my house this morning

I've been a member for a while, but haven't made many posts - so I can't post it to the appropriate category. Maybe it can be moved.

So, this morning - a knock on my door revealed a USDA inspector who wanted to ask me some questions. First, she asked if my last name was what she had on paper and I said "no". She then explained that the reason for her visit was my chickens. My wife and I have 7 laying hens that free-range during the day. I explained that we only have the 7 adult hens and that we have some pullets that will be integrated when they reach laying age - at which time we will process the existing adults for meat.

The inspector was interested to learn if we sold the meat or the eggs, to which I answered "no". She then asked about the pasture behind the house - and if we bailed and sold hay. I answered "no" and that the pasture is only mowed. Then she asked if we sold any vegetables from our (relatively small) garden - again I answered "no".

At this point she indicated that we didn't meet the criteria to be classified (as what, I don't know).

The reason I brought this to ATS, is the "National Defense Resources Preparedness" executive order signed by Obama on March 16th, which gives the government "the ability to seize, confiscate or re-delegate resources, materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense"

National Defense Resources Praparedness

Particularly troubling is the language used in the order:

Sec. 201. Priorities and Allocations Authorities. (a)

(1) the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to food resources, food resource facilities, livestock resources, veterinary resources, plant health resources, and the domestic distribution of farm equipment and commercial fertilizer;

(2) the Secretary of Energy with respect to all forms of energy;

(3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to health resources;

(4) the Secretary of Transportation with respect to all forms of civil transportation;

(5) the Secretary of Defense with respect to water resources; and

(6) the Secretary of Commerce with respect to all other materials, services, and facilities, including construction materials.

(b) The Secretary of each agency delegated authority under subsection (a) of this section (resource departments) shall plan for and issue regulations to prioritize and allocate resources and establish standards and procedures by which the authority shall be used to promote the national defense, under both emergency and non-emergency conditions.

Racing through my mind was a single question: Are they making a final push to identify previously unknown resources prior to an upcoming event?

First thing, take charge of the situation. Do not let them ask all the questions. Before it all got started I would be asking the whos, whats, wheres and whys, before I answered any question they had for me. Even then, I would have been inclined to tell them that it was none of their business to begin with.

That sounds invasive and annoying.
And so does that law.

I'm with Skewed on this one, i would have asked why you were being questioned, what it pertained too, how you were identified, and so on and so forth. I would also ask around maybe they were canvasing the area and talked to your neighbors, they might have some insight as to the questioning. just a thought.

very interesting none the less.


thank you and good day/night depending on your location in this universe.

reply to post by stutteringp0et


I've got 11 chickens that free range during the day. It was 13, but an errant dog paw and a red-tailed hawk have culled it to 11. Anyway, I've got a relatively large garden in the front yard, and I've got a pond behind the house that we have a timed fish-feeder on, and it has crappie, other bream, and bass.

I'd guess that someone complained about your chickens, and that is why they visited you. I don't think they are identifying resources, I think they were identifying unlicensed activity and wanted to regulate you if it was a side business.

Interesting.
Did they indicate why they chose your property to make a call to? Was it a neighbor complaining?
Just a random, "I see hens, let's see if he's compliant? Is he selling products or just for self consumption"

A neighbor called and said "Get that guy for having Hens in a residential area?"

You definatly sounded more passive then I ever could have. I would need to know more facts how they arrived at your door and why.

Sounds like chicken**** to me.

You selling Raw Milk out the back door? That is a REAL crime these days.
articles.latimes.com...

Your growing your own eggs to eat? If that's a crime, I'll drink my raw milk with a shot of Scotch in it.

What the heck,, I've always enjoyed a single malt without the rawmilk.

OK wait....

Do some digging before you go jumping to conclusions about the EOs.

Snopes

Those Executive powers have been in place since 1994, the EO that Obama signed was merely an update to the DECADES old executive powers.

With that said, I don't even believe your story now.

Seems like a not-so-clever attempt at sneeking in some right wing rhetoric....

The woman indicated that she stopped because she "saw" my chickens.

it should have ended when you said it wasn't your last name, next should have been "have a nice day and goodbye".

reply to post by stutteringp0et


or someone complained about you or your chickens or they simply wanted to make sure you were not selling your produce/livestock to people that would require some level of inspection...sounds simple to me...

reply to post by Blarneystoner


oh it's probably real..they just forgot to take their meds this morning...next they will us their chickens have all mysteriously disappeared

reply to post by LittleBlackEagle


I'm glad I didn't because it took our conversation to convince her that we weren't a commercial farm.

I was asked about the eggs, meat, our garden, and the grass in the pasture. She was interested in every agricultural possibility. I explained that we sell nothing and that everything is very small scale - small garden, few chickens, no hay bailing.

Originally posted by chrismarco... they simply wanted to make sure you were not selling your produce/livestock to people that would require some level of inspection...sounds simple to me...

That shouldnt be acceptable by any measure.

You bought some laundry bleach last week. We just need to make sure you arent poisoning any one with it.

You have a drivers license. We just need to make sure you arent driving around drunk.

You dont have a drivers license. We just need to make sure you arent driving.

You have electricity. We just need to make sure you arent running grow lights for pot cultivation.

We noticed you were black. We need to be sure you arent a militant Blank Panther.

We saw you were white from the curb. We just need to be sure you arent a militant Klansman.

They cant just grab any possible indicator as a reason to involve themselves in your life. That's harassment.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


But they do.

"You're black" (in any neighborhood) pull over, spread em, can I search the car, do you have any warrants, where are you headed, why are you in this neighborhood, do you play any sports, can I have your autograph, LOL!

"You're white" (in a nice neighborhood), sorry to bother you sir, did you know you had a taillight out? Make sure to get that fixed, and enjoy your weekend!
"Your white" (in a bad neighborhood), pull over, spread em, what are you doing here, do you have any drugs on you, cash, where were you headed, where do you live, can I search your car, is your daddy a lawyer or politician? Then, depending on the answers, either a seizure of the cash and kick out of the neighborhood, OR, an apology, and a police escort back to a better neighborhood.

I studied obama way before the election, and I definitely did not support or vote for him because I knew what he was capable of from his friends and past associations..

The guy is WORSE than Adolph Hitler, but the world hasn't yet seen how far he will go with his plans..

This thing he has done is definitely a prelude to gaining more illegal control of private citizens property..

Obama and his plans presents the gravest danger to the real national security of the United States..

These people are the true enemies of freedom and liberty..

I actually feel sorry and pity for the masses of morons that support obama...

He has expanded his views and influence to cause practically all congress and senators to do these things with him..

The media is helping this nut case..

God help as all (please)...

Originally posted by LittleBlackEagle
it should have ended when you said it wasn't your last name, next should have been "have a nice day and goodbye".

Well said.OP they probaly saw your chickens with millitary drones Next time they come around use them for garden fertilizer.

It's an old Mexican story as follows:

Old farmer: Listen, years ago I rode with Juárez against Emperor Maximilian. I lost many chickens but I thought it was worth it to be free. When Porfirio became President, I supported him – but he stole my chickens. Then came Huerta and he stole my chickens. Then it was Carranza’s term, and he stole my chickens too. Now comes Pancho Villa to liberate me and the first thing he does is steal my chickens!...What makes one different from the others? My chickens don’t know. All over the world revolutions come and go. Presidents rise and fall. They all steal your chickens. The only thing to change is the name of the man who takes them.

reply to post by stutteringp0et


The USDA discovered you have 7 hens and then investigated you?
Is something missing in your story?

Did you campaign for Ron Paul?
Send an inappropriate email to the white house?
Come on, 7 hens does not make a gov't tremble. What on earth did you do???

Originally posted by getreadyalready
I think they were identifying unlicensed activity and wanted to regulate you if it was a side business.

Exactly that. As soon as you start making money off selling food, you fall into their jurisdiction. Now they can annoy the hell out you with fees and fines, in return for which, you get a whole stack of regulations to adhere to.

You answered all their questions perfectly.

reply to post by subject x


Yeah, but it is more fun to make them run around, well, like a chicken with its head chopped off trying to figure it out themselves. Or even make them go bug a judge for a summons/warrant to make you talk. Do not make it easy for them. Throw the same damn red tape back at them as they throw at everyone else, give them a taste of their own medicine. Just do not make it easy for them. Stonewall them at every turn.