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.

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

Muffins as Contraband

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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

Developments with Maine Food Sovereignty Law

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Maine set precedence this year as the first state in the nation to permit municipalities the authorization to regulate local food systems. LD 725, titled An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems (commonly known as The Food Sovereignty Act), grants municipalities control of their

Feds Admit Harassing Small Montana Meat Plant, But Take No Action

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As a boy growing up in Butte, Bart Riley loved spending time at the family business, Riley Meats, on West Park Street. Young Bart and his siblings would help out cleaning the shop after his father was done cutting meat for the day

Top 10 Herd Share Questions Answered

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One conversation I had with attorney Elizabeth Rich about raw milk herd shares warrants sharing with you. I learned I don’t understand nearly as much as I thought I did. And I’m not the only one—they are darned confusing to most