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
State Raw Milk Bills – 2015 Update
It’s been a productive legislative session for raw milk so far. As usual, a number of bills have been introduced this session to legalize or expand raw milk sales or distribution. Two have already passed into law with the possibility of several others to follow. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) has worked in support of […]
Farm Freedom on the Docket in Minnesota
On March 9, Minnesota raw milk farmer Dave Berglund will have a hearing before the Sixth Judicial District Court in Grand Marais to determine whether he is guilty of contempt of court for refusing to let Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials, possessing an administrative warrant, conduct an
Financing Our Foodshed…Fund a Farmer
As people become disenchanted with the lending system in America, they have begun to invest their money locally in projects where they can realize the value of their investment in the goods and services they use. Additionally, it helps them ensure that their money is going toward projects that support their value system. The concept […]
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.
Policing Milk: A Cop’s Take on the Lake View Natural Dairy Case
The two most important roles that I hold in life are that of a husband and that of a father to two small girls. My daughters will inherit my legacy, the society we live in and the rules by which it is governed. I want to make that legacy as positive as possible. I wouldn’t label myself a raw milk advocate or a farm rights
Wyoming Food Freedom Act Moves Toward Passage
RECLUSE, WY—(February 17, 2015)—The Wyoming Food Freedom Act [HB0056] has passed the Wyoming House of Representatives by a 60–0 vote and has cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee. The bill will now be heard by the full Senate; if passed, the bill will be sent to Governor Mead’s desk for
A Fight for Fowl Freedom
“If he wants farm fresh eggs, he can drive out to a farm and get them. They [chickens] are loud, they stink, and people here in O’Fallon just don’t want these animals.” That is what O’Fallon, Missouri Mayor Bill Hennessey said to a reporter in a recent interview. Those words still