SearchFederal guides
Federal farm rules by topic
Choose a topic to read the cited federal source, its important conditions and exceptions, and the state or local questions that remain.
Food facilities and processing
Registration and processing rules that can reach a farm when it packs, holds, or processes food.
- FDA Food-Facility Registration for FarmsGuide available · When does a farm or farm food business register with FDA?
- FDA Food Traceability RuleGuide available · When does the FDA Food Traceability Rule apply to a farm or food business?
- Preventive Controls for Farm Mixed-Type FacilitiesGuide available · How does FDA preventive-controls coverage interact with the farm mixed-type facility definition?
Produce safety
The FSMA Produce Safety Rule and the qualified exemption for certain direct-market farms.
- FSMA Produce Safety Rule Coverage for Farms and ProduceGuide available · Which farms and produce fall under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule?
- FSMA Produce Safety Rule Qualified ExemptionGuide available · How does the Produce Safety Rule qualified exemption work?
- FSMA Produce Safety Rule: Agricultural WaterGuide available · What does the federal Produce Safety Rule say about agricultural water?
Eggs, meat, poultry, and animal products
Federal rules that can follow specific commodities a farm produces or sells.
Livestock identification and movement
Official identification and movement documents for cattle and bison crossing state lines.
- Cattle and Bison Official Identification for Interstate MovementGuide available · Which cattle and bison need official identification before interstate movement?
- Interstate Movement Documents for Cattle and BisonGuide available · When do cattle and bison need an ICVI for interstate movement?
- Federal Livestock 28-Hour Transport RuleSource review needed · summary unavailable · What does the federal 28-hour livestock transport rule say?
Farm labor and worker safety
Worker-protection rules that apply on farms, including field sanitation for hand labor.
Public access and accessibility
Rules about who can be on the farm, access for visitors, and accessibility obligations.
Transportation and records
Transport, recordkeeping, and traceability requirements tied to farm commodities and sales.
Organic production and labeling
Federal certification, exemption, production, handling, labeling, and records provisions for organic products.
Alcohol and regulated farm beverages
Federal rules for farm-made alcohol and regulated beverages.