June 8 is the last day to comment on the “Registration of Food Facilities” rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most important provision for small farmers and artisan food producers is a proposed change to the definition of
The Breakthrough in Wyoming
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
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
Rule by Bureaucratic Fiat in Vermont
With the passage of the Administrative Procedures Act in the states and at the federal level, government agencies have been given powers traditionally reserved to the legislative and judicial branches. The result has been less representative government and situations where the bureaucracy rules by administrative fiat with little or no input from