Regulations & Legal
Food Safety Modernization Act--does it apply to your farm? Find out here.
Food Safety Traceablility Law Expected to go into effect in 2028, this will affect some farms and some products. Farm Commons “At a Glance” document provides an overview and links.
Marketing Poultry Slaughtered Under USDA Exemption fact sheet
USDA inspection questions for small processors: Contact the FSIS Small Plant Help Desk by phone (and get a live person) or contact form.
State:
PA Agritourism Law and fact sheet.
Animal Humane Laws for Farmers webinar slides
Custom processing: Rabbit & Poultry Slaughter & Processing regs
Egg & Small Producer Poultry regs
Food for Profit--working with PDA for food establishments (Penn State Extension article covering what types of farm food businesses need which licenses
Livestock Mortality in PA
Manure happens: If you produce or spread manure, you need a Manure Management Plan. Most landowners can complete MMPs themselves, but if you need assistance, contact your county Conservation District. Manure management plan workbook
Nurseries/selling plants: Licensing ($40 annually; state may inspect)
Selling Freezer Beef from Penn State Extension
Why Aren't All Meat Processors the Same in Pennsylvania?
Municipal: Your township may have ordinances regarding agricultural zoning, backyard poultry, set-backs, etc. If you have a local health department you may need to comply with local food safety/sales regulations. Ignorance of the regulations is not a defense.
Legal & Tax Resources
A Guide to Farming in Pennsylvania: Planning See "Business Structures" section https://extension.psu.edu/a-guide-to-farming-in-pennsylvania-planning
Business structure: Sole propreitorship, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, Co-op Descriptions of varying business structures and benefits of each. Do your research, then consulting an attorney is recommended. https://extension.psu.edu/choosing-a-legal-structure-for-your-agriculture-business
PA Agritourism Law: PA’s Agritourism Activity Protection Act of 2021 Shields agritourism providers from civil liability for injury or damages incurred by an agritourism participant while the participant is engaging in an agritourism activity on agricultural land under certain conditions. https://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/agritourism/Pennsylvania.pdf
Tourism Law fact sheet From Penn State Law https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q50kvbqlBktPKuHfTyGVJz6BqdQ4n43q/view?usp=sharing
Register your farm with USDA at Farm Services Agency: A 'farm number' with USDA is free and is required to access many federal and some state/local funding/technical assistance programs. Proof of ownership or control of the land is required. Getting your farm number does not trigger other action or obligate you to participate in USDA programs. "Get Started" guide.
State registration: Register as a business with PA Register your farm business with PA https://hub.business.pa.gov/Home/HelpCenterDetail/StartaNewBusinessinBFS
State regs Requirements to register your business with PA
IRS Farmers' Tax Guide, including Schedule F information:
Employee taxes: Pennsylvania law requires employers to withhold Pennsylvania personal income tax from employees’ compensation in two common cases:When resident employees perform services within or outside Pennsylvania; and when nonresident employees perform services within Pennsylvania. Employer's Tax
Workman’s Comp: “In PA, and employer may be exempt for WC if all employees fit this description: agricultural laborers earning under $1200 per person per calendar year AND no one agricultural laborer works 30 days or more per calendar year, unless the agricultural labor is provided by the employer's spouse or child(ren) under the age of eighteen and they have not sought inclusion under Pennsylvania's workers' compensation laws by filing an express written contract of hire with the Department Workman's Comp
Veteran-owned small business certification
FarmTransition/Succession resources
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