Publications: Local Food Systems
Where’s the Beef?: Legal and Economic Considerations for Direct Beef Sales
Justin Benavidez, PhD, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Tiffany Dowell Lashmet,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Garrett Reed & Sarah Patterson, Research Fellows, National Agricultural Law Center
Elizabeth Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney, National Agricultural Law Center
Many cattle producers are interested in trying a marketing model where they sell their beef directly to the consumer. However, there are several key legal and economic issues that must be considered to successfully develop a direct-to-consumer beef sales business. These issues include everything from choosing a slaughter facility, identifying a target customer base, liability protection, recordkeeping and labeling considerations. This handbook, created in conjunction with NALC partner Tiffany Dowell Lashmet at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, offers an overview of these legal and economic issues, as well as including tips and insight offered by several producers already engaged in this type of sales. Download this book. Posted 9/15/22, last updated 10/18/23
Indiana Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Lisa Schlessinger, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Indiana, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 8/12/15.
Louisiana Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Corey Brown, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Louisiana, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 7/29/15.
Michigan Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Lisa R. Schlessinger, Rachel Armstrong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Michigan, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 6/10/15.
Kentucky Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacey Revels, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Kentucky, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 2/22/15.
Pennsylvania Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacey Revels, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Pennsylvania, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 11/21/14.
South Carolina Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacey Revels, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of South Carolina, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 11/12/13.
Nebraska Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Rachel H. Armstrong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Nebraska, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 9/19/13.
Ohio Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Rachel H. Armstrong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Ohio, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 9/19/13.
Iowa Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Rachel H. Armstrong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Iowa, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted 9/19/13.
Georgia Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacy Revels, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Georgia, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Texas Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Charles Cunningham, Rusty Rumley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Texas, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
New York Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Lisa R. Schlessinger, Alexander B. Gura University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of New York, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Colorado Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Lisa R. Schlessinger, Daniel J. Klopfenstein University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Colorado, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Florida Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacy Revels, Rusty Rumley University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Florida, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Alabama Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Stacy Revels, Rusty Rumley University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Alabama, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Mississippi Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, Charles Cunningham, Rusty Rumley University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the National Agricultural Law Center
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Mississippi, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book.
Legal and Business Guide for Specialty Crop Producers
National Agricultural Law Center and University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
The Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 authorized the United States Department of Agriculture to make grants available to provide assistance for specialty crops, while the 2008 Farm Bill amended the act and authorized the USDA to provide grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This book is the result of one of those grants and is meant to address a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by specialty crop producers in the state of Arkansas. It includes chapters on contract laws, food safety, food labeling, agricultural labor, business organizations, and the application of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. In addition, since the industry is also confronted by other unique challenges that directly affect competitiveness, it also includes a chapter addressing the marketing of various types of specialty crops, and one discussing the third-party audit system. Download this book. Posted March 1, 2011, updated November 2022.
Illinois Direct Farm Business Guide
A. Bryan Endres, Michaela Tarr, Jody M. Endres, Nicholas R. Johnson University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Illinois, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted March 1, 2011.
Arkansas Direct Farm Business Guide
Michaela Tarr, A. Bryan Endres, Jody Endres, Nicholas Johnson University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This book, a collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, focuses on producers engaged in direct marketing in the state of Arkansas, but also addresses a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges faced by these producers across the country. After an overview of the federal and state regulatory system, the book discusses issues important to the farming operation, including the structure of the agricultural business, marketing plans for the business, taxation concerns and labor and employment issues. It then discusses the regulation of certain specific products, including dairy, eggs, fish and other aquatics, produce, grains and cereals, honey and maple syrup, meat and poultry and organic marketing. It finishes with an extensive glossary of terms relevant to the legal and production concerns raised in the book. Download this book. Posted March 1, 2011.
General Legal Issues for Community Farmers Market Managers to Consider – PowerPoint Presentation
Beth Crocker General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs South Carolina Department of Agriculture
This presentation is adapted from a program for a South Carolina Community Farmers Market Managers Workshop held on January 24, 2007. It discusses some general issues and liability concerns commonly confronted by communityh market managers, including business incorporation status, sales tax collection and tax exemptions, liability concerns, contract and lease terms, implementation of market rules and policies, and food safety compliance Download this presentation. Posted August 10, 2010.