PHILADELPHIA — A dairy-laden legal battle is playing out in Lancaster County, where the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is suing an Amish farmer to stop his sale of raw milk products that authorities have tied to illnesses in several states.

Amos Miller has been selling raw, unpasteurized milk, as well as products made from it, since at least 2014, the department said in a lawsuit filed in January.

As a result of legal issues dating back nearly a decade, Miller has become something of a political figure, with prominent Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Donald Trump Jr., as well as independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. weighing in on social media. Proponents have also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Miller's legal fees through online fundraising platforms.

"This is the final stage of a long war by Big Ag, food processors and their government puppets to destroy family farms and wholesome food production," Kennedy wrote last month on X, formerly Twitter. "Thank you Amos for standing up for our health and our liberty to grow healthy food."

Supporters have said in court that Miller's milk has worked wonders for their health, and his legal team argues that stopping sales is a violation of his and his customers' rights. But the Department of Agriculture says that the raw milk and other unregulated products are a danger to public health, and that he is selling them in violation of food safety laws.

It is legal to sell raw milk in Pennsylvania with a permit from the Department of Agriculture. Most other products made from raw milk — such as yogurt, butter and soft cheeses — can't legally be sold in the state.

About 114 other dairies in Pennsylvania are permitted to sell raw milk, but Miller has historically refused to pursue a permit. Authorities have also alleged that Miller's retail operations aren't registered.

Now, as part of the ongoing case, a Lancaster County judge has issued an order keeping Miller from selling raw milk and related products in Pennsylvania as litigation plays out, but seemingly allowing sales to continue to residents of other states.

The case started with a search warrant

In early January, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant on Miller's farm in Upper Leacock Township that stemmed from an investigation into food-borne illnesses in Michigan and New York.

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