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This Digest Features -

Appeal 2013 Gifts

 

 

Annual FundRAISER ends August 20, Tuesday  

Visit www.farmtoconsumer.org/appeal for details 

ItemA
Rancher Threatened with Second Jail Sentence
by Pete Kennedy, Esq.   
Keno-OpenFenceGrazing 
Open land grazing of
livestock in Colorado has
been legal by statute
since the 1880's
 

Archuleta County, Colorado rancher Stephen (Steve) Keno, who has already served one week in jail and been fined $1,000 on a contempt of court charge related to allegedly grazing his sheep illegally, is now facing a second contempt of court action which could result in a 30-day sentence along with a $5,000 fine for the same offense. A hearing has been set for August 23 at the Archuleta County District Court in Pagosa Springs. FTCLDF General Counsel Gary Cox is now representing Keno.

 

On April 2, the Aspen Springs Metropolitan District (ASMD) obtained an injunction from the...more 

 
ItemB
Milkman bottle Milkman Delivery Service Under Seige in Minnesota
by Liz Reitzig                

 

The plight of two Minnesota raw milk providers and those families who depend on them seems to get worse by the minute. As the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) continues to prosecute the two main providers of raw milk in the state, the real story becomes clear: the state wants to completely shut down raw milk, criminalize those who provide it, and make
...more 
 

Bottle label:  
"Use your milkman. Don't let him become a thing of the past" 
 
ItemC
Hershberger-IceCreamSocial 
Ice Cream provided by
Castle Rock Organic Farms

What:
Farmer Vernon Hershberger of Wisconsin, recently acquitted on 3 of 4 criminal charges for food distribution, will host a press conference on his farm regarding his appeal of the 4th charge. Members of the press are invited to attend. Jurors from his trial and members of the Grazin' Acres farm club will attend.

When: Saturday, August 17, 2013 Press Conference 10:20-11:45 a.m. followed by ice cream social 10 a.m.- 4 p.m....more 

   

videoImage Watch Video: Hershberger Press Conference 8/17/13
53:00
Elizabeth Rich, Esq., speaks about the appeal
          visual quality fuzzy but sounds okay 

ItemD
FTCLDF Annual FundRAISER
Your Donations Make THE Difference - Here's How You Help   
Click on the pictures to read a brief quote
 
Each week the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) receives a call or two from a farmer in distress. With the support of members and donors like you, we can continue to answer those calls.

Less than a decade ago, farmers had few places to turn for help when staring down the barrel of the "food police." Farmers were left to fold their arms and fold up shop in the face of overbearing regulations and the sometimes arbitrary requirements of local and federal agencies.

Pam Lunn
FL - Pam Lunn
Issue at Farmers Market


Today, however, FTCLDF supporters are providing a safety net to protect access to farm-fresh foods and raw dairy products by defending the faithful farmers and artisans who feed us.

The Annual FundRAISER has become a fun way to ensure there are adequate funds available to go to court when the time comes, to press for favorable legislation when the opportunity arises, and to handle the day-to-day needs of providing member services.

Donor gifts are a tangible way we can say, "Thanks for caring enough to help those on the frontlines and in the trenches of the food rights movement." By pooling resources, together we all accomplish more.

FTCLDF is truly a grassroots organization; funding comes from membership fees and donations, mostly from private individuals and a few like-minded businesses. Our sister nonprofit, the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation, is able to issue grants for public interest litigation and much of that comes through private donations. Sales of activist gear (e.g., tees, buttons, etc.) actually serve more of an educational role in raising awareness while generating a modest income for the Fund.
MN - Alvin Schlangen & Family
Food Club Delivery Case

The real work of the Fund centers on
 - providing legal representation to keep farmers out of prison and in business;
 - offering legal advice to set up herdshares and buying clubs properly;
 - reviewing the maze of statutes and regulations to assist farm and artisan operations with compliance; and
 - collaborating with legislators and grassroots activists to remove barriers to economic viability as well as fielding the myriad questions that arise.

FTCLDF's capacity to take on cases is governed by the funds available. Each year, volunteers give their energies to tend exhibit booths, hold fundraisers, and conduct membership drives.The commitment of those in the growing attorney network is evident by the reduced fees charged and even the offers to work pro bono. Many issues are resolved at the administrative level, saving thousands in potential court costs.

FTCLDF's costs tend to be far less than what farmers would have to pay on their own. So, when deciding whether to renew membership and/or make a donation, keep in mind that you would be supporting the network that supports you and your food choices. When FTCLDF is able to take on a new case, that's one more food producer who will live to feed another day.

Once again, we are privileged to close our Annual Appeal with the benefactor appreciation event,  Celebration! at Polyface Farm on September 7 in Swoope, Virginia. A donation of $250 or more qualifies you to RSVP to attend.
VA - Joel Salatin of
Polyface Farms
Eggs at Local Restaurant






Donate Now to FTCLDF

  • Each $250 qualifies you to receive an adult ticket (donate $100 per child, aged 3-10; a lap child, aged 2 and under, may attend free).
  • This year we've added Farm-to-Fork FundRAISERS; so, you'll want to check out the other events that are planned for September 7-8, Save Your Bacon Weekend.
  • If you have any questions, please call us at 703-208-3276 or send an email to [email protected] 
Unable to make it to Polyface this year?
Donate $100 or more and receive your choice among three gifts:

Sally Fallon Morell & Dr. Thomas Cowan's
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care

Graham Meriwether's American Meat DVD

David Gumpert's Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Food Rights

Can't decide which gift to choose?

A few folks donate $500 and choose a total of five gifts; it's a great way to support the Fund and have presents for family and friends.
 
Want to skip the gift?
Go to www.farmtoconsumer.org/pil for details on making tax-deductible donations.

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, defends the rights and broadens the freedoms of family farms and artisan food producers while protecting consumer access to raw milk and nutrient-dense foods. Learn more About Us or check out the FTCLDF 2012 Summary.

Membership benefits include the possibility of representation in court; the Fund typically pays for all court costs. The Fund is not an insurance company and cannot guarantee representation on all legal matters. Your membership fees and donations help to keep local food sources available and preserve family farms facing unjust enforcement actions.

NEW! Subscribe to Food Rights News RSS Feed. 

2013 Annual FundRAISER
            

To donate, call (703) 208-FARM (3276) or visit the www.farmtoconsumer.org/Appeal2013.   

 

Donations to the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund are always appreciated though not tax-deductible.  Prefer to make a tax-deductible donation?  Go to www.farmtoconsumer.org/PIL for information about "public interest litigation" (PIL).

 

Questions?  Contact us by email at [email protected] or call 703-208-FARM (3276)  

Web Addresses (urls) in this Edition

If you are unable to click on the titles to go to the website posting(s), you may either go to the top of this email to "Having trouble viewing this email? Click here"  or copy the following web address (url) and paste it in your browser: 

www.farmtoconsumer.org/newsletters/August_18_2013_Issue.htm     

 

Please forward this digest to others who are concerned about protecting locally-sourced nutrient dense foods and preserving sustainable small family farms as well as defending the rights to sell and to access the foods of one's choice from the source of one's choice.