Dear Friend,
Each year we conduct a member survey to determine how to better serve you. When we ask which services our members value most, one benefit is always near the top of the list: The FTCLDF Emergency Hotline.
The FTCLDF Emergency Hotline is available 24-hours and can be used in the event of a surprise visit or inspection to a member’s farm or related farm business. We always have an attorney on-call who can be on the phone advising our member of his or her rights during one of these stressful events.
NEW! Hotline Blotter
In the interest of keeping our members and supporters better informed, we are introducing our new Monthly Hotline Blotter. While we will always protect our members' privacy, we will provide a monthly summary of the type of legal challenges your fellow farmers, homesteaders, and cottage food producers are facing.
As one of our litigating attorneys, Suzy Israel, says, “Prevention is the best cure,” when it comes to dealing with local, state and federal regulators. It’s always better to take steps to prevent problems and stay in compliance with farm and food laws in your city, county, or state, than to have to fight in court.
July 2022 Hotline Blotter
Last month we fielded many calls related to pastured poultry processing, especially about the federal exemption for processing birds on-farm. Several members experienced visits from regulators stating the member was not in compliance with state regulations for processing, handling, and selling birds either from their farm, or at an off-farm site, like a farmer’s market.
State: New York
Homesteader member served with notice by local health department stating member must remove chickens from property. Notice with compliance date left by health department with member.
State: Oregon
Farmer member had local meat processor get surprise visit from inspector. Processor was caught off guard with many of the inspector’s questions and inspector is accusing processor of being out of compliance. Member’s meat product at risk.
State: Washington
Farmer member accused of being out of compliance with local health department.
State: Kansas
Farmer member was told out of compliance with regard to on-farm processing of chickens. Inspector says open-air processing is not allowed.
State: Alabama
Farmer member was told by state ag department all birds sold off farm must be sold whole and frozen only.
Besides calls to the FTCLDF Emergency Hotline, in July FTCLDF attorneys provided legal advice, guidance, and documents for to assist with additional member legal concerns. - 6 Inquiries about Pastured Poultry Exemptions
- 16 Requests for dairy Herdshare Agreements
- 2 Requests for Meatshare Agreements
- 3 Requests for Liability Waivers
- Citation settlement assistance (out of compliance) in PA
- On-farm poultry and rabbit processing questions in TX
- Farm visitor liability waivers in KY and CA
- Noise violation citation for poultry in WA
- Overspray of glyphosate affecting horse pastures in MN
- Property dispute in KS
- Red meat processing concerns in CA
- Red meat delivery questions in CA
- Fresh herb business regulations in CA
- New farm operation questions in WI
- Questions about selling aged cheese in MN
- Questions about making and selling goat milk candies in WA
Please feel free to call our offices during business hours with your questions and concerns. Members have 24/7 access to our Emergency Hotline! Remember, we have your farmer's back!
Cheers,
Amelia Martin Outreach Coordinator | 
