Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund is a 501c(4) (social welfare) group that, according to its website, "protects the rights of farmers and consumers to engage in direct commerce" and "protects the rights of farmers to sell the products of the farm and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice." FTCLDF says it "is a true grassroots organization" and gets no funding from government and "little or no corporate funding." Its sister organization, the Farm to Consumer Foundation, is a 501c(3) organization.

Funding
The group says it gets no government funding and little or no corporate funding. Its revenues, according to its website, are derived from membership fees, donations from individuals and grants from its sister organization, the Farm to Consumer Foundation. Annual membership fees are $125 for farmers, and $50 for consumers. For affiliates, like buyers clubs and co-ops, the annual fee is $250 for the first fifty members and $5 for each additional member.

For those who are uncertain or unwilling to join an organization that engages in litigation, FTCLDF offers a renewable "Non-Member Consulting Agreement" at the same rates as those above.

Types of Litigation Engaged In
Some of FTCLDF's 2011 cases include challenging FDA's ban on raw milk for human consumption in interstate commerce; defending Morningland Dairy in its efforts to prevent the Missouri State Milk Board from destroying 50,000 pounds of embargoed cheese when there have been no reports of illness against the dairy; and representing defending Minnesota consumer Rae Lynn Sandvig who had a criminal search warrant executed against her home. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is contemplating bringing criminal charges or administrative sanctions against Sandvig for allowing her home be used as a distribution point for a raw milk farmer.

Board
Pete Kennedy, Esq., President Elizabeth Gamsky Rich, Esq., Vice President Sally Fallon Morell, Secretary Betty Moore, Treasurer Steve Bemis, Esq. Kaayla T. Daniel, Ph.D. Judith McGeary, Esq. Mary Blair McMorran Taaron Miekle Winton Pitcoff Tim Wightman David G. Cox,Esq., General Counsel