Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund seeks support to meet the growing legal needs of independent farms, ranches, and local artisan and cottage food producers. To improve and increase our services to these producers, we are holding a summer fundraiser. By donating to FTCLDF, you are helping to ensure that . . . Someone picks up […]
Legislative Update: Progress on Food Freedom Bills
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund monitors, advises, and works to influence hundreds of food freedom bills and policies across the country that align with our mission. We’ve been tracking their progress and engaging with legislators and our members to lend our support to those efforts that seek to expand food freedom. Join us for important policy […]
FTCLDF’s State-by-State Policy Tracker
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund regularly tracks federal, state and local laws and regulations, as it works to change laws to support rather than hinder the ability of smaller, independent producers to grow, produce, and sell food locally in their communities. The current system of food regulation in the United States sorely needs more scale-appropriate regulation. […]
Hotline Blotter & Legal Roundup: April-June 2025
Our Emergency Hotline consistently ranks as the benefit our members value most. It’s available 24 hours for surprise inspections or short-notice regulatory interruptions of a member’s farm, ranch, or business. Our on-call attorneys can be available by phone during a stressful, unexpected farm inspection or even seizure of product. We provide a Hotline Blotter […]
The Unconstitutional Chicken Ordinance
In October of 2024, one of our members reached out for help with a zoning notice she’d received from her Michigan city. The notice claimed she’d been raising chickens without a permit, violating the city’s chicken ordinance. The notice called for Kathy to remove her chickens from her property. The thing is, Kathy had a […]
U.S. Companies No Longer Required to File BOI Reports with FinCEN
*This is not legal advice. This is general information to educate about the upcoming CTA requirements. As of March 21, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has released an interim final rule stating that U.S. companies and U.S. persons are no longer required to file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report under the Corporate […]
2025 Membership Drive Is Feb. 1 – Mar. 15: It’s a Great Time to Join!
Have you been thinking about joining our community? It’s a great time to join! If you or someone you love is an independent farmer, rancher, cottage food maker, chef, or concerned consumer, take advantage of all the great discounts, offers, and prizes during our 2025 Membership Drive! TIP: Look for our advertisement in the Stockman […]
A Win for Michigan Right to Farm!
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is pleased to announce an important win on behalf of Michigan Right-to-Farm and FTCLDF members Cottonwood Farm/Morningstar Ventures, LLC. In an ongoing legal battle, the Michigan Appellate Court ruled in favor of Morningstar Ventures, LLC that the case is entitled to a Right-to-Farm defense. The matter involves a Washtenaw County farm, […]
FTCLDF’s Policy Primer
In addition to tracking federal, state, and local laws and regulations (see our Policy Tracker here), Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund works with legislators, policy coalitions, and advocacy groups to change policy to support rather than hinder the ability of smaller, independent producers to grow, produce and sell food locally in their communities. FTCLDF will continue […]
February’s Member Monday!
The first Monday of every month is Member Monday where we feature a member photo or video on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is proud of our members, and we take great pleasure in highlighting their operations and the awesome work they are conducting in sustainable farming, animal husbandry, artisanal…