The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, launched July 4, 2007, has had its first cases, including the defense of Barbara Smith in New York, who set up a limited liability company to provide raw milk and dairy products to members of the LLC. The fund’s mission is to defend members in disputes against any government action that interferes with their ability to sell directly to consumers. Cases to date have included defending Barbara and other farmers selling raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk.
The legal defense fund also assists members in preparing herd share agreements, and provides other advice to help members ward off government actions against them, including representing farmers in cases involving premises registration and NAIS. The fund has a 24-hour hotline for members, so if state or federal agriculture officials show up at your door, you have someone to call. For more information contact Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund by phone 703-208-3276, fax 703-208-3278, or online at www.ftcldf.org..

Karin Bergener of Ravenna, Ohio, is an attorney and co-founder of Liberty Ark Coalition. This article appeared in the Holiday 2007 issue of Rural Heritage.