Subject: October Newsletter: 🚨 Hotline Blotter & Webinar Invite

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Hello, Friend!

First things first: We announced some BIG NEWS on National Farmer's Day. Read on to find out!

👋 New to our newsletter? We’re so glad you’re here!

Are you a lawyer interested in defending the rights of people who feed their communities? We’re always looking for passionate advocates to join our attorney network. Visit our Work with Us page to learn more about how you can get involved.

However you fight for food freedom and fairness, you’re an important part of a growing community. We invite you to explore our educational resources, designed to help you navigate the laws that affect how food is grown, raised, and shared.

In good health,

Alexia Kulwiec

Executive Director

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

INTRODUCING FOOD OF CHOICE,

OUR SISTER NONPROFIT!

We're thrilled to announce the launch of Food of Choice, Inc., a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting one of our most basic freedoms: the right to choose the food we grow, raise, make, purchase, and consume.

Complementing the legal and advocacy work of FTCLDF, Food of Choice will...

Educate: FOC will create accessible resources to help individuals understand their food rights and navigate complex food laws.
Defend: FOC will advance food freedom through strategic public-interest litigation that benefits the wider food and farming community.
Empower: FOC will work to increase consumers’ choice of their own food, connecting them with the tools and information needed to build resilient local food systems and communities.

Meanwhile, FTCLDF will continue to provide direct legal representation and work to improve policy that supports a better food system.

Whether it’s buying milk from a trusted dairy farmer, sharing foraged mushrooms with neighbors, or selling produce from your homestead, we believe these everyday acts of food independence are worth protecting.

Food of Choice is just getting started — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

👉 Visit foodofchoice.org to learn more and sign up for updates.

FOOD OF CHOICE

HOTLINE BLOTTER & LEGAL ROUNDUP

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund exists to serve the farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, and artisan food producers who feed their communities.

From July - September, our Emergency Hotline and legal team assisted members across the country with:

✅ Surprise inspections

✅ Farmers market closures

✅ Zoning and permitting issues

✅ Herdshare and meatshare agreements

✅ Livestock disputes

Check out our Hotline Blotter and Legal Roundup to see how we’re standing with producers when it matters most.

A WIN! LOCAL FOODS ACT

In a WIN for livestock producers and their consumers, the bipartisan LOCAL Foods Act is now supported by both Senate and House sponsors. FTCLDF’s own Christine Dzujna calls this Act "key legislation protecting food freedom," and says it "would meaningfully improve access to locally produced meat."

The bipartisan LOCAL Foods Act is endorsed by FTCLDF, National Family Farm Coalition, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and Rural Vermont.

Click here to read our press release!

READ

WEBINAR FOR MEMBERS

Licensing, Neighbors, and Liability:

Legal Considerations for Farm & Homestead Animals

November 13 @ 12pm CT / 1pm ET

Join us as we cover a variety of animal issues affecting farmers and homesteaders. We will discuss the use of livestock guard dogs, licensing of dogs, chicken and rooster permits, animals-at-large allegations, fencing laws, and nuisance allegations.

We will also explain how Right to Farm laws can protect the use of livestock guardian dogs and defend against nuisance allegations.

FTCLDF members can register here by November 10. Not a member yet? Join today!

CALLING ALL FOOD FREEDOM ADVOCATES

Are the food freedom laws in your state stale, too restrictive, or not reflective of current farming realities? By advocating for better policies, you can help move the needle in the right direction!

Since most state and local legislatures kick off their sessions early in the year, the months leading up to that are a critical time to get bills ready.

Right now, lawmakers are setting their agendas, drafting new bills (or reviving old ones), and working to build the support they’ll need to pass them.

This is the perfect time to reach out to your local and state representatives.

🧑‍🌾 Tell them about the challenges you’re facing and urge them to introduce legislation that supports food freedom and farming livelihoods.

🐓 Pick the issues that matter to you: meat processing, poultry exemptions, cottage foods, raw milk, or something else.

📅 To find out when your state’s session will begin, check out this legislative calendar.

FTCLDF is here to help.

We can talk with legislators, help draft bill language, provide data on similar laws in other states, rally other FTCLDF members to your cause, and more.

Reach out if you’d like our support in moving your policy goals forward!

FTCLDF ON THE ROAD

Our team has been crisscrossing the country to meet and mingle with farmers, ranchers, and food advocates at several events this fall.

Over at Farm Aid in Minneapolis, Alexia and several FTCLDF members were thrilled to witness living legends honoring our nation's farmers and ranchers!

Here’s Dee at the Common Ground Fair, hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Elsewhere in New England, Christine attended Harvard’s Food and Democracy: From Policy to Plate Leadership Summit. Here’s a shot of Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank, and Maine Senator Craig Hickman, champion of the state’s Food Sovereignty laws.

Upcoming Events

Come chat with the FTCLDF team at these upcoming events!

Regenerate | Santa Fe, NM

November 5 - 7

Pastured Poultry Conference | Kissimmee, FL

January 30 - 31

PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference | Pennsylvania

February 5 - 6

That's all for this month! Feel free to reach out if you need anything, and as always, we appreciate your support.

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www.farmtoconsumer.org | 703-208-FARM (3276) | info@farmtoconsumer.org