Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund was founded on July 4, 2007 to protect Food Freedom. In the beginning, we defined Food Freedom as the rights of farmers and consumers to engage in direct commerce with each other without interference. Today, FTCLDF works to protect, defend, and broaden the rights and viability of independent farms and ranches, […]
Update on HPAI H5N1 testing of Raw Dairy
As many Farm-to-Consumer members are aware, on April 24, 2024, the USDA issued an order requiring Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 testing of dairy cattle moving in interstate commerce, or across state lines. On June 6, 2024, the FDA sent a letter to state and local health departments recommending that states implement a surveillance testing […]
Printable H5-N1 Testing Questionnaire
In June of 2024, the FDA recommended more testing of dairy cows and raw milk for the H5-N1 avian flu virus. This printable form can help you gather the information you’ll need if an inspector calls or visits your farm. Download form
June’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…
Farm Organizational Structure Primer
Starting a farm or ranch business? This resource provides information on the different business organizational structures available. You can use it as a guide to help you choose and create a formal business entity. It will also help direct you to the proper state agencies to get more information on your state’s rules and filing […]
Legislative Progress on Food Freedom Bills Shows There Is Strength in Numbers
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 have been tracking their progress and engaging with legislators and our members to lend our support to those efforts that seek to expand food freedom. We will be offering legislative […]
Explainer: How CAFOs Harm Independent Ranchers and Small Farmers
Farm-to-Consumer’s Alexia Kulwiec and Peter Ruddock provide an overview of how Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) can cause problems for our nation’s smaller farm and ranch operations. Read it
Explainer: All About USDA’s RFID Mandate
Curious about the RFID tag mandate? In this two-page explainer, Alexia Kulwiec of FTCLDF describes the issues, the concerns, and the status of U.S. regulation. Read It
U.S. Senator Introduces Legislation to Block Mandatory Use of Electronic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Livestock
In an important move for independent ranchers, today U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation (S. 4282) aimed at preventing the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) from implementing mandatory electronic identification on livestock that moves in interstate commerce. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) has followed this issue and has been supporting efforts […]
New USDA Mandate to Test Dairy Cattle for Avian Flu Despite No Evidence HPAI is Foodborne
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced that all dairy cattle must be tested for HPAI prior to moving across state lines. The USDA order requires a negative test from an approved National Animal Health Laboratory. A number of recent reports have raised concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spreading […]