Membership with Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) is open to those throughout the United States and its territories that engage in or support non-toxic sustainable farming/gardening/homesteading practices. While we provide legal representation and work to change policy on behalf of member farms and food producers, it is vital to have membership from the broader community concerned with creating a more fair food policy. Membership dues help support others in the community facing government overreach, legal challenges, and agency investigations. Membership also supports the work of FTCLDF in changing policy that serves independent food producers. As a non-profit organization, this broader support is so important in keeping member rates affordable.
In addition, membership provides these benefits:
- Toll-free 24/7 emergency hotline in case of a surprise visit
- Unlimited legal consultations after the first 6 months
- Possible representation in court
- Invites to attend live members-only webinars
- Support for legislative efforts
- Members’ only resources, including articles, videos and recorded webinars
- And more!
Annual membership fees are $125 for Farmers and Artisans, $50 for Consumers, $75 for homesteaders, and a minimum of $250 for Affiliates.
We help our members navigate the legalities of selling food and food products directly to their customers. FTCLDF is committed to helping all of our members nationwide pursue their dreams, from selling nutrient-dense foods off the small family farm, to keeping backyard chickens and a front yard garden, to marketing homemade ferments.
See below for an incomplete list of who makes up our members. Hint: they aren’t just raw milk producers! If you can think of it, our members farm, grow, or raise it.
FARMERS
- Aquaculture farmers
- Beekeepers
- Dairy farmers (from raw to pasteurized to cows’ milk to donkey dairy)
- Flower growers
- Chemical-free grain, corn, and soybean farmers
- Livestock farmers (nuisance complaints from neighbors about livestock guardian dogs have risen dramatically)
- Maple syrup producers
- Mushroom growers
- Vegetable and fruit farmers
- Snail farmers
CONSUMERS
- Consumers who own businesses like Serenity Kids, a natural baby food company that sources from small farms and donates some of the proceeds to us
- Consumers of local, sustainably grown food interested in supporting independent farms and their communities. This includes consumers whose farmers have used our services and joined to strengthen their access
- Consumers who purchase cottage food or artisanal food products as described below
- Customers who buy directly off of their local farms
- Farmers market customers
- Health Practitioners
- Those who want to buy more from their local producers but struggle to find sources
ARTISAN FOOD PRODUCERS
- Bakers
- Bone broth makers
- Butchers
- Café owners
- Charcuteries
- Cheese makers
- Fermenters
- Herbalists
- Kombucha brewers
- Juicers
- Makers of edible skincare
- Pasta makers
- Soap makers
- Tea makers
- Wine makers
- Yogurt makers
HOMESTEADERS
- Backyard chicken keepers
- Canners
- Fiber sheep keepers
- Gardeners, including those who have fought zoning ordinances to keep frontyard gardens
- Meat rabbit keepers
- Mini goat keepers
AFFILIATES
- Buyers clubs
- Community supported agriculture (CSA) groups
- Farmers markets
- Farmers co-ops
- Food co-ops
- Sustainable agriculture non-profits
For more details on membership types, benefits, and the kinds of challenges facing each, read What Type of FTCLDF Member Are You?
Want to join our membership ranks today? You’re in luck: we have a membership drive going on right now through March 15, 2022 with special offers, extras, discounts and a prize drawing!
YOUR FUND AT WORK
Services provided by FTCLDF go beyond legal representation for members in court cases.
Educational and policy work also provide an avenue for FTCLDF to build grassroots activism to create the most favorable regulatory climate possible. In addition to advising on bill language, FTCLDF supports favorable legislation via action alerts and social media outreach.
You can protect access to real foods from small farms by becoming a member or donating today.