GMO or Heritage Apples
July 3, 2014
Rooftop Farming
July 17, 2014Food Chain Radio Show #974 
Michael Olson, Author & Urban Farming Agriculturalist
MARTHA BONETA & THE RIGHT TO FARM
Does government want family farms to survive?
Guest: Virginia Farmer Martha Boneta & Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund President Pete Kennedy
This Poll is closed!!
Martha Boneta is a family farmer who obviously takes joy in getting down to business on her 64-acre Virginia farm.
Michael Olson Food Chain Radio: Martha Boneta Pitchfork Rebellion – Does government want family farms to survive?
However, when government officials discovered Martha selling vegetables, carving pumpkins, and hosting birthday parties without the proper paperwork, it tried to shut her down with the threat of a $15,000 per day fine.
This attempt by government to restrict the ability of a small farmer to survive struck a nerve in Virginians of all stripes, and drew support from many, including fellow farmer Joel Salatin and Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund President Pete Kennedy. Consequent to all the support, Martha Boneta soon found herself the titular head of a full scale pitchfork rebellion against government intrusion into family farming.
After two runs at the Virginia General Assembly, the pitchfork rebellion succeeded in passing the “Boneta Bill,” which protects the customary activities of farms from government restrictions in absence of substantial impacts on public welfare.
Though Martha’s pitchfork rebellion forced government to scurry for its cubicles, the necessity of a family farmer needing to rebel to survive leads us to ask…
