In a ruling paving the way for a possible precedent-setting court decision on food freedom in Minnesota, Cook County District Judge Michael J. Cuzzo has denied the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) request to hold dairy farmer Dave Berglund in contempt for refusing to
Ranchers Are Not Criminals…for Now
The latest from Paradise Ranch: The judge has ordered that all the animals we are charged with neglecting be forfeited unless we pay a bond of $39,780 by 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, June 11. Unless we come up with the money by that time, 35 of our animals (cows and their calves, yearlings, and a boar) will be forfeited.
Key FSMA Deadline Approaching: Artisans at Risk
June 8 is the last day to comment on the “Registration of Food Facilities” rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most important provision for small farmers and artisan food producers is a proposed change to the definition of
How the National Park Service Shut Down a California Treasure
Who is going to hold the National Park Service accountable for its illegal actions that lead to the closure of Drakes Bay Oyster Company? Here is Kevin Lunny’s testimony before a congressional subcommittee about how this rogue agency shut down a California institution through fraudulent
Pot-Bellied Pigs Now Invasive Species in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now enforcing its swine invasive species order (ISO) by shooting pet pigs if they step even a short distance outside their owner’s property. DNR is adopting a “shoot first, ask questions later” policy for an ISO that is vague
NPS Ecological Mismanagement at Point Reyes: By Design?
The Center for Biological Diversity’s (CBD) media campaign featuring 250 dead elk at Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) stands as the latest example of the ongoing assault on agriculture within the PRNS. While the PRNS’s failure to follow its own elk management plan led directly to the death of these
FTCLDF Case Updates
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund’s General Counsel Gary Cox provides the rundown on the cases he’s currently handling. Everyone represented in court by FTCLDF is a member of the organization.
The Breakthrough in Wyoming
The Wyoming Food Freedom Act (WFFA), which became law on March 3, has set the bar high for efforts at similar legislation elsewhere in the United States of America. Under the WFFA, the production and sale within Wyoming of any food except meat products by a producer direct to the “informed end consumer” is not subject to licensing or inspection
Triumph Tempered by Loss – Utah HB 104 Signed into Law but Proponent Passes Away
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH—(March 26, 2015)—Tuesday was a day of both excitement and tragedy for the Patterson family, owners and operators of Red Acre Farms CSA in Southern Utah. Symbria and Sara, a mother and daughter team have been working hard for months for the passage of a bill that would allow Utah residents to operate or participate in “herd share” programs in
From the Director’s Desk: Food Safety, Pasteurization and Blue Bell Creameries
Some weeks, fate makes funny things fall across your plate at the same time. As I was reading about a recent listeria outbreak from pasteurized ice cream, someone sent me a food safety blog post, which mentions the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, concerning the dangers of raw milk. The below