Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Beginning Farmer Food Licensing Guide
A guide to food licensing for beginning farmers who sell food products. It helps farmers identify agencies and permits to ask about before selling. Fill it out in pencil so it is easy to update.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
The steps on this page
- List the foods you plan to sell
- Contact the state agriculture department
- Contact the local health department
- Ask about licenses and permits
- Ask about inspections
- Ask about labeling rules
- Ask about sales venue rules
- Keep copies of approvals
How to use this guide
Pin it up in the shop or barn. The numbered steps are a short reminder, and the notes lines are for details specific to your operation.
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 USDA AMS.
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.