In a victory for Michigan’s heritage breed hog farmers, Marquette County Circuit Court Judge Thomas L. Solka has ruled that both the swine Invasive Species Order (ISO) and the Declaratory Ruling (DR) issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are unconstitutional. In his March 21
Two Federal “Raw Milk Freedom” Bills Introduced
Another Crack at the Ban
WASHINGTON, DC—(March 27, 2014)—Congressman Massie (R–KY), Chellie Pingree (D–ME) and a bipartisan coalition of 18 other lawmakers introduced legislation on March 26 to improve consumer food choices and to protect local farmers from federal interference. The two bills—the “Milk Freedom of Act of 2014” and the “Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2014”—are the first in a series of “food freedom” bills that
Episode 15: Underground Dairy, Forbidden Oysters, Let Us Farm! Reasons to Believe in FTCLDF
Episode 15 of the Food Rights Hour podcast is about the importance of preserving the right to farm sustainably. During this episode, our host, Kimberly Hartke, speaks with an underground dairy farmer; a small farm advocate, Leon La Jeunesse; the forbidden oysterman, Greg Garrett; the raw food farmer, Lee Ann Hoovey; and FTCLDF Vice President and attorney, Elizabeth Rich.
Farm Bill Victories Worth Celebrating
It’s official, the Agricultural Act of 2014 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill – HR 2642; now Public Law 113-79) was signed into law on February 7, 2014 after more than two years of congressional debate. Not surprisingly, the bulk of the Farm Bill continues the same programs that favor large-scale, chemical-intensive, mono-cropping and commodity agriculture; however, there there is also some good news.
There are gains on these specific issues raised in various
Precedent Setting Agriculture Bill Signed by Governor Terry McAuliffe
“Boneta Bill” Cuts Regulations, Frees Family Farms Up to Prosper
Falls Church, VA—(March 10, 2014)—Virginia Senate Bill 51 (SB51), a landmark bill creating more economic opportunities and decreasing regulations for Virginia’s family farms was signed last Thursday by Governor Terry McAuliffe. The new law takes effect
After 2-Year Court Battle Baker’s Pigs Now Legal
Judge Orders DNR to Leave Farmer Alone
Lake City, Michigan—(March 4, 2014)—Two years after suing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) over the legality of its swine Invasive Species order, Mark Baker is now free to raise and sell his hybrid heritage breed pigs. In a February 26, 2014 hearing, less than two weeks before a scheduled March 11, 2014 trial date, DNR
Tell USDA to Protect GMO-Free Producers Action Alert
Submit Comments on Proposed Coexistence with GMOs
It’s a fact: farmers’ crops have been contaminated with genetically engineered crops, also known as GMOs. And as long as the U.S. allows GMOs to be planted, this will continue and likely increase.
Episode 14: Food Buying Clubs
Episode 14 of the Food Rights Hour podcast is about food buying clubs. During this episode, our host Dennis Crowley and John Moody, food buying club consultant for FTCLDF members and administrator for Whole Life Buying Club, discuss how a food buying club works, why they matter to the local food movement, how John crafted a truly successful food buying club model
Tell USDA, Reject “Agent Orange” GMO Corn and Soybean Seeds Action Alert
Submit Comments on 2,4-D Herbicide Resistant Crops
Remember Agent Orange, the chemical from the Vietnam War that caused so many health problems and birth defects? If Dow AgroSiences has its way, one of the main ingredients of Agent Orange will be sprayed in massive amounts all over the U.S.
SDDA Violates Own Rules, Cries Wolf on Jerseydale Farms Raw Milk
SB 126 – South Dakota bill to establish common-sense standards for dairy farmers selling locally
Pierre, South Dakota–(January 30, 2014)—Sen. Phil Jensen (R-Rapid City) has introduced a bill to clarify and fix existing regulations for raw milk. The bill, SB 126, will repeal the inappropriately-used rules adopted in November 2013 by the South Dakota Department of