Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

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

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

Herdshares at Double J Farm

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Joe and Janet started farming later in life. Thirty years ago, they purchased land in Ohio where their future farm would operate. As the years passed, Joe and Janet began struggling with their health. They researched nutrition, and like many, this research led them to the teachings of Weston A. Price…

Revisiting the Nevada Farm-to-Fork Raid

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When an over-zealous regulator shows up at your farm dinner demanding that food be destroyed as hungry guests await, who do you call? FTCLDF! Here’s Laura Bledsoe’s account written as a letter to CSA members and dinner…

Urban Farming Under Threat in Gary, Indiana

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In a recent case that is gaining national attention, one FTCLDF member’s right to provide food for her family is in jeopardy. Aja and her husband Yasir grow hundreds of varieties of medicinal herbs, fruits, and vegetables at their home in Gary, Indiana. Practicing regenerative agriculture, they bring color and nutrition to an area of Indiana…

Indiana Food Freedom

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Indiana Senator Greg Walker announced that he will propose The Indiana Freedom in Homemade Food Contracting Act, also known as The Indiana Food Freedom Act, in the upcoming session of the Indiana State Legislature. The Indiana Food Freedom Act seeks to allow small-scale producers to make foods for sale in their home…

Introduction to the Cottage Food Map

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code is a model code and reference document for state and local governments on food safety laws. The FDA Food Code prohibits the sale of food made in home kitchens, which means that most states did the same for many years. In the last decade, however, great progress has been made…

Wisconsin DATCP’s Secret Rules

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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is commissioned by the state legislature to promote the interests of Wisconsin agriculture. The DATCP’s mission statement describes their effort to “partner with all citizens of Wisconsin to grow the economy by promoting quality food, healthy plants and animals, sound use of land and water resources, and a fair marketplace.” However, as many of our Wisconsin members can attest, DATCP behavior is far from consistent with their virtuous mission statement…

Virginia: Oppose These Herd Share Bills Now

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While the sale of raw milk is illegal in Virginia, raw milk advocates have used the concept of herd sharing to obtain the revered, nutrient-dense food for decades. In a herd share agreement, consumers pay a farmer a fee for boarding their animal (or share of the animal), caring for…

What Type of FTCLDF Member Are You?

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When we began in 2007, FTCLDF only offered two membership types: Farmer and Consumer. Now, we also offer annual memberships for Homesteaders, Artisan Food Producers, and Affiliate Communities. FTCLDF is committed to helping all of our members nationwide pursue their dreams, from selling nutrient-dense foods from the small