American Farm Bureau Federation Standing-Up for Dairy Farmers Targeted by the Estate of Dean Foods

Sunday, December 13th, 2020 -- 9:28 AM

The American Farm Bureau Federation is standing-up for hundreds of dairy farmers being targeted by predatory lawyers representing the estate of Dean Foods, which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.

Almost 500 dairy farmers who once sold milk to Dean Foods received letters threatening legal action unless they refund money legitimately earned prior to the bankruptcy filing.  AFBF sent a letter to the law firm managing the Dean Foods estate calling for an immediate reversal of their "predatory shakedown" and threatening potential legal action if the firm fails to withdraw the letters sent to farmers.

In the letter, AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen says the letters sent to farmers "are deceptive and constitute an abuse of process that attempts to extract funds that the Debtor (Dean Foods) is not entitled to under the threat of a lawsuit. Put plainly, your letters are a predatory shakedown, written in legalese." 

Many recipients of the Debtor letters are independent farmers already struggling through difficult economic times made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The letters put producers in an impossible position-either pay the amounts demanded or incur the cost of legal counsel to defend against the Debtor's allegations. 

The AFBF letter outlines the legal legitimacy of the payments made to dairy farmers and admonishes the lawyers representing Dean Foods for knowingly taking advantage of farmers, saying, "Sending the Letters under these circumstances is not only deceptive, but outrageous because they threaten legal action when in fact the Producers have no legal exposure for the reasons set forth herein."

AFBF further calls upon those lawyers to retract their demands by notifying each farmer by separate letter within 10 business days; returning any funds already received; and by ceasing any litigation against farmers who did business with the company. The AFBF letter clearly states a willingness to step-in in the event that the Dean Foods estate pursues litigation against farmers, "AFBF intends to intervene in any such litigation or to seek relief in the Bankruptcy Court. AFBF will consider all remedies that it can seek as an advocate of the Producers." (USAgNet)

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