Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Beginning Farmer Cottage Food Law Checklist
A checklist for learning and following cottage food laws. It helps home food producers confirm what their state allows before selling. Use it alongside advice from local advisors.
ChecklistBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- State cottage food rules reviewed
- Allowed products confirmed
- Registration needs checked
- Kitchen requirements checked
- Label requirements checked
- Sales limits and venues checked
- Training or course needs
- Insurance question answered
- Record of approvals
How to use this checklist
Fill in the farm, date and your name, then walk the job with the sheet in hand. A habit of five minutes on this list tends to catch small problems early.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with FDA and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the farm finance explained. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Everybody Gets Paid for Food Except the Farmer, and agribusiness farm stories.