Fighting for food freedom.
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) is a national organization that supports independent family farmers and protects a healthy and productive food supply for American consumers. FARFA promotes common sense policies for local, diversified agricultural systems.
FARFA advocates on behalf of the thousands of small-scale farmers and ranchers who produce food using sustainable/regenerative methods, which means we also work for the millions of consumers who care about protecting traditional rights and freedoms... people like you.
2023 Conference: Date Coming Soon!
The location and date of the 2023 Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference will be announced soon.
FARFA is here to help you make a difference.
FARFA Accomplishments
We have a record of success at the national level as well as in Texas, where we are based. With the support of our members, allies, and friends, our achievements include:
Protecting Small Farmers
We led the fight against National Animal Identification System regulations that would have created massive bureaucracy, raised the cost of food, and interfered with private ownership of livestock, poultry, and horses.
Fighting Unfair Regulations
We got a key amendment to the federal Food Safety Modernization Act to exempt small-scale local producers from regulations that would have driven them out of business.
Passing Bills in Texas
We have successfully fought for a dozen bills to pass in the Texas Legislature, all of them bipartisan. During the most recent Texas Legislative Session, we worked to pass 2 new bills in support of a more sustainable food system, including one that empowered the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board to pursue federal funding to provide education and incentives for farmers to improve soil health.
Sharing Resources
FARFA, along with its educational arm, the Council for Healthy Food Systems, hosts an annual Southern Family Farmers & Food Systems Conference (previously called the Farm & Food Leadership Conference), gathering hundreds of producers, advocates, local food enthusiasts, chefs, and homesteaders for 3 days of learning, sharing, and networking.
Events
Profiting Through Conservation Series Workshop: Growin on Faith Farm 2/18/2023
Date: 02/18/2023 - 02/18/2023
News
Priority Issues for the 2023 Texas Legislative Session
Download a pdf version of these priorities Among its many impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic…
Read MoreIt’s Ag Census Time!
Promoting common-sense policies for diversified food systems It’s that time again … farmers, ranchers,…
Read MoreTell USDA not to impose even more burdens on small-scale poultry processors!
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has proposed a new framework to…
Read MoreFARFA Seeks Communications Director
OVERVIEW: The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) and the Council for Healthy Food Systems (CHFS)…
Read MoreCurrent Action Items
Tell USDA not to impose even more burdens on small-scale poultry processors!
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has proposed a new framework to address salmonella in poultry processing. Unfortunately, this proposal is based on a…
Read MoreSupport Proposed Rule to Make Big Poultry Tell Farmers the Truth
A new rule proposed by U.S Department of Agriculture could help protect farmers from being deceived by the industrialized poultry industry. The rule, “Transparency in Poultry Grower…
Read MoreTexas voters: Is there a runoff in your district?
Published May 14, 2022 The Republican and Democratic parties held their primaries on March 2, but in about 50 races, no candidate won a clear…
Read MoreSupport truly Texas-raised products
Published April 15, 2022 The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is proposing a new grant program to support the marketing of products with the “Go Texan”…
Read MoreFARFA’s endorsements for Texas’ March 1 Primary
Published February 4, 2022 FARFA endorses the following candidates based on their positions on food and agricultural issues, as well as closely related issues…
Read MoreJoin us for a COOL Week of Action
Published January 24, 2022 The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance joins our allies in conducting a COOL Week of Action, January 24-28! Organizations across…
Read MoreWhich Texas Legislative candidates care about local food & farmers?
Published January 18, 2022 In anticipation of the upcoming Texas primary election, FARFA has developed a candidate questionnaire for individuals running for the Texas…
Read MoreTexas drafts changes to farmers’ market regulations
Published December 16, 2021 The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has posted draft changes to the regulations governing farmers markets and cottage…
Read MoreCan we please just know what country our meat comes from?
Published December 14, 2021 You may have noticed that the labels on many foods in the grocery store include what country the food comes from. However,…
Read MoreTell USDA that lab-raised meat cells need to be clearly labeled
Published November 1, 2011 The USDA has announced plans to adopt rules about the labeling of lab-raised cells that originally came from animals. The agency’s description…
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