GIBBON, MINN. — The organic farmer who produced raw milk linked to illness in four Minnesotans, including a toddler who remained hospitalized Thursday, has for years fought the government's efforts to regulate him.
Michael Hartmann, whose dairy is just outside this town of 800 people, last had a license to sell Grade A milk in 2001. He has kicked inspectors off his property, refused to tell a judge his name in court and asserted he is a "natural man" with a constitutional right to raise and sell food without government interference.
State officials said Thursday that the investigation of his dairy is continuing but said they have little doubt it produced the raw milk containing a deadly strain of E. coli.
"I am concerned that we are going to hear about more cases," said Dr. Kirk Smith, supervisor of state Health Department foodborne disease investigations. It often takes up to two weeks for cases to surface, he added.
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