Published December 21, 2020 Last week, a website article circulated claiming that research from the University of Houston indicates that small produce farms in Texas…
USDA opens new funding program for farmers hurt by COVID
The USDA has launched a second round of COVID-19 relief payments that will hopefully reach more farmers, many of whom were left out of previous aid…
Texas health department seeks comments on food establishment rules
The Texas Department of State Health Services has published draft changes to the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) – which govern restaurants, grocery stores, co-ops, delivery services,…
Win over your legislators with your personal ‘local meat’ story
Are you a family farmer raising livestock? A consumer who prioritizes buying meat locally – or who would like to? A hunter or homesteader who has used a…
More progress for on-farm poultry processing in Texas
Successfully advocating for a cause such as family farms and local foods means focusing on the long haul, speaking up consistently, building relationships, and “showing up”…
USDA plan boosts global ag at expense of family farms
Independent family farmers are facing going out of business and consumers are facing record high meat prices, all due to the highly consolidated meat industry that…
New rules proposed for Texas raw milk
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has drafted new rules for regulating raw milk. This announcement, made on July 14, came without…
Tell Congress the PRIME Act is the best shot for small livestock farmers!
The crisis facing small livestock farmers and ranchers is getting worse. In some areas of the country, farmers are being told that their USDA- or state-inspected…
PRIME Act Sign-On Letter to Senators
The following draft letter will be sent to Senators the week of July 20, 2020. We continue to seek additional signatures from non-profit organizations and from…
Electronic Animal ID is back!
Federal agencies have a terrible habit of trying to push through bad policies under the cover of darkness … and USDA’s electronic animal ID program is…