Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

Protecting, defending, and broadening the rights and viability of independent farmers, artisanal food producers, and their consumers.

Who's Your Farmer? SM

Protecting, defending, and broadening the rights and viability of independent farmers, artisanal food producers, and their consumers.

Farm Bill Update

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The 2018 Farm Bill has been passed by Congress and signed by the President. This massive piece of legislation covers a diverse mix of government programs, everything from environmental protection, farm subsidies, food safety, international trade, and food stamps.

2018 Accomplishments

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This has been quite the year for the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF). We would like to celebrate with you the many achievements we have made in the food freedom movement. It gives us great joy to continue to be involved in this movement and to fight for farmers, artisanal producers, homesteaders and consumers across the country.

FTCLDF Panel Answers Common Legal Questions

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Join Joel Salatin, Elizabeth Rich, and Patricia Foreman on an exciting panel as they discuss answers to common legal questions from farmers and homesteaders. The panel was video recorded live at the Mother Earth News Fair in Maryland this summer and was also edited as a podcast…

Adulterated: The Most Significant Term in Food Law

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In 1991, I entered a graduate program in veterinary pathology. I knew the pathological conditions. Recognizing them under a microscope took practice, but I got there. The same is true of the term “adulterated,” arguably the most significant term in food law…

FSMA Deadlines: Are You a “Food Facility”?

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After nearly a decade of congressional debates, regulatory wrangling, and implementation delays, the deadline for compliance of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is now approaching. Thanks to organizations (like FTCLDF!) working for small farmers, artisan producers, and local food consumers, most small-scale producers are exempt from…

The Devil is Always in the Details: A Member’s Question

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Understanding FSIS compliance is a challenging component of farming, and oftentimes can be confusing. Recently, an FTCLDF member had a question regarding the 20,000 exemption for poultry. Dr. Fisher provided a thoughtful, thorough response, and we thought it would be helpful….

Understanding FSIS Language

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Fall 1979. I received the book list for my first semester classes in veterinary college. Top of the list: Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary. That first year, I opened this book more than any other. Regulatory agencies, like medicine, have their own language. Unless you understand that language, you do not know what you are talking….