Attorney Suzy Israel has a heart for farmers and the fierce determination of an experienced public defender. As a litigator for Farm-to-Consumer Defense Fund (FTCLDF) for more than five years, Israel defended the rights of independent farmers against the government. In 2021 she took a year off from the law to tackle another challenge, restoring […]
custom meat
Upcoming Members-Only Webinar – RED MEAT: Custom Slaughter Legalities and Challenges
We host our first live members-only webinar of the year, “Red Meat: Legalities and Challenges of Custom Slaughter,” on Thursday, March 10 at 10 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. MST, 12 p.m. CST, 1 p.m EST. The webinar features our own long-time farmer member Christopher Simpson of Field of Dreams Farm, and our legal advisor Judith McGeary, as they explore the legalities and challenges of custom slaughter of red meat…
Introduction to the Updated Red Meat Map & Chart
In 1967 Congress passed the Wholesome Meat Act, Public Law 90-201, amending the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA). The act expanded the federal government’s authority over meat slaughter and processing to intrastate commerce but did create exemptions from the requirement that an inspector be present when slaughtering is taking place. The Wholesome Meat Act allowed the “uninspected” slaughter of meat animals at a custom facility as long as the owner…
Michigan Farmers Create Livestock Processing Solution
A local farming duo has created a way to overcome the shutout in processing that small farms have experienced from the pandemic while at the same time increasing the supply for the growing demand of locally sourced food. Colleen Dauw of Dancer Creek Farm and Sarah Schloss of N Kids Farm have formed Washtenaw Meats, a…
What Did Our Members Have To Say?
Thank you to all the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) members who participated in the recent survey to learn what more the organization can do to better serve them. Our members are made up of farmers and food producers, eaters, and homesteaders. Here…