Subject: Policy Update, New April Dues, and Our Membership Drive

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Happy spring, friend! Welcome to the March edition of our newsletter.


FTCLDF members continue to face challenges from local agencies in their efforts to provide healthy, local food. Watch for upcoming news articles and updates on these cases. In the meantime, we're working to increase our capacity and expand our services for members.


Thanks for reading and for your steadfast support for our mission. 


In good health,


Alexia Kulwiec

Executive Director

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

POLICY UPDATE

Farm Bill negotiations are moving forward in Congress, with the House Agriculture Committee advancing a draft for full House consideration. The proposal still faces substantial Senate hurdles, and key debates remain on pesticide liability protections and SNAP-related provisions.

At the state level, there has been significant activity:

  • Indiana (HB 1424): passed; expands homemade food sales with fewer regulatory barriers.

  • South Dakota (HB 1064): passed; allows certain direct-to-consumer meat sales pending federal legal clearance.

  • Utah (HB 179): awaiting signature; expands raw milk sales and herd/cow share exemptions.

  • Utah (SB 217): awaiting signature; allows designated agents to sell homemade products and sets farmers market requirements.

  • Virginia (HB 402): awaiting signature; broadens where and how homemade foods can be sold and delivered.

  • West Virginia (SB 44): headed to governor; expands homemade food sales with safety-based limits.

Members can find full details and additional tracked bills in our Policy Tracker:

LEARN MORE

MEMBER DUES UPDATE

Thank you for standing with Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. For the first time in 18 years, FTCLDF is adjusting member dues, with updated rates taking effect in April 2026. Join today to lock in our current rates!

This modest increase helps us respond to growing demand as more producers face inspections, citations, land-use pressure, and nuisance complaints. Current members renewing on or after May 1, 2026, will do so at the new rates listed below. FTCLDF greatly appreciates your continued membership as we increase our efforts to push back on restrictive government policies.


Updated dues:

  • Farmer / Rancher: $140

  • Homesteader: $80

  • Consumer: $60

  • Artisan: $140

  • Affiliate: $275

FTCLDF remains independent — funded by member dues and mission-aligned donors, not government grants or industrial agricultural interests.

JOIN TODAY

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

April also marks the start of our membership drive. If you value independent legal advocacy for producers and consumers, this is a great time to join or encourage others to become members. 


Please share this newsletter with farms, ranches, food producers, and consumers, as well as neighbors and friends. FTCLDF aims to grow to increase its impact and continue to seek scale-appropriate legislation that supports small-scale agriculture and food production. 


Membership supports:

  • Unlimited legal guidance

  • Educational tools and compliance resources

  • Stronger state and federal advocacy for food freedom

To encourage new folks to join, our partner Mother Earth News Fair is offering two sets of publications. FTCLDF will draw from its new members who join in April or May to award them these exciting prizes. Mother Earth News will provide a "Best Of Mother Earth News Fair" issue, and one "Collector Series" to lucky new members.

NEW TEAM MEMBERS

Finally, we’re excited to welcome two new team members to FTCLDF: Guido Lois and Rosanna Bauman.

Guido is supporting newsletters, social media, and website communications. Rosanna is helping strengthen member intake and support.


We’re glad to have them on board as we continue to expand our services to independent farmers, artisanal producers, and consumers.

GET TO KNOW THEM

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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