Thank you to all the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) members who participated in the recent survey so that we can do more to better serve you. Our members are made up of farmers, homesteaders, other food and beverage producers, food buying clubs, and eaters.
See below for some of what we learned.
Member Replies
Our members’ top three favorite member benefits are:
- Use of toll-free 24/7 emergency hotline to speak with an attorney if there is a surprise visit or inspection.
- Unlimited consultation with attorneys after the first six months of membership on matters within the mission statement. Up to two hours of consultation with an attorney immediately upon joining.
- Possible legal representation if there is a court case on matters that are within FTCLDF’s mission statement.
By far the top two legal issues faced by our members concern dairy regulations and limitations on meat processing. Other common legal issues concern finding livestock processors, cottage food restrictions, poultry processing limitations, and zoning issues.
This year, 53% of respondents are thriving, 22% of members said they are similarly situated, and 12% said they are struggling. Compare that with last year, only 22% of respondents were thriving, half were doing the same as the year before, and 8% were struggling. In 2020, 68% of respondents reported that their farm businesses were thriving, 14% were in about the same position as the year before, and 11% were struggling.
According to our member respondents, two-thirds sell direct-to-consumer through on-farm or farm stores. Many of our members also sell at farmers markets, through home-based businesses, to restaurants and retail, and through CSAs and buying clubs.
According to the survey, three-fourths of members are struggling with input expenses mostly with feed, hay, and energy costs.
What do members like most about FTCLDF?
- Everything FTCLDF does to protect our food supply and those who produce it
- Helpfulness and availability. I always get a good response whether it is from the billing department or a lawyer
- FTCLDF’s fight for our food rights against big ag, big pharma and big gov
- Knowing FTCLDF has my back and that help is a call away if I need it with unlimited consultation with attorneys and the emergency hotline
- That FTCLDF is supporting a basic fundamental human right and regenerative, sustainable farming
- FTCLDF does good things for good people
- FTCLDF’s mission, intention, excellent expertise, and effectiveness
Members: Thank you for your participation! As always, members are welcome to Ask Us specific questions by phone, Contact Form, or email. And make sure you check out the Member Resources page when you sign in to our members-only platform. There you can access all of the past members-only webinars, special articles, and more.
Thanks to you, reader, for all you do to build a more localized and sustainable food supply!
Not a member but would like to be? Join or find out more HERE.
Want to support our work? Donate HERE.
THANK YOU
FTCLDF is a true grassroots organization with most funding coming from membership fees and individual donations.
Throughout our first decade and a half, we have defended the rights and freedoms of farmers, homesteaders, artisans, and consumers to grow, obtain, share, exchange, and sell nutrient-dense, local, sustainable, and artisanal food.
We would not have made it this far if it weren’t for those of you who: join and renew your memberships; donate funds, food, or time; read and share our posts; like us on Facebook; follow us on Instagram; and host events for us. We thank you for supporting our work and hope you will continue to do so in 2023 and throughout our second decade of protecting food choice.
Consumers and governments alike have seen how consolidation and corporate control of our food system made it vulnerable. Now is the time to ensure that FTCLDF members receive the legal representation they need and also support efforts to pivot to a more sustainable food system that helps small farmers, ranchers, artisan producers, and their consumers.