Our member survey consistently shows our 24-Hour Emergency Hotline is one of the services our members value most. The hotline is available 24-hours in the event of a farm raid, surprise visit, inspection, or short-term notice regarding a member’s farm or related farm business. We always have an attorney on-call who can be on the […]
Michigan
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…
New Rule in Michigan Is Win for Small Farms
FTCLDF defended a Michigan farm in a nuisance action, which ultimately led to a positive clarification in the state’s Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs). Hidden Creek Farm is a small sustainable farm that has been operating for several years…
But It’s Cheaper to Just Pay the Fee
A few years ago, Steve and Wendy bought a five-acre parcel in southern Michigan, perfect for growing specialty crops. Unbeknownst to them, their idyllic parcel was located in a dystopian township, run by a mean-spirited zoning inspector who did not cotton to outsiders and had no grasp…
Muffins as Contraband
Kris Unger owns Dairy Delight, a 100-head herd share operation in Michigan. Dairy Delight’s cows are coddled. They receive a six-month break every year, and are rotationally grazed on over one hundred acres. Dairy Delight herd share owners are devoted to clean, local food, without government interference. The Michigan Department of