Small Farms

Many people enjoy eating eggs that come from local farmers because they “know” where the eggs are coming from.  In addition, they are usually much cheaper than the ones sold at the store.  Many farmers have free-range chickens, or at the very least, they are free range during the warmer months of the year, then they are in large pens during the winter months.  No tiny battery cages for these chickens!  So, how does the small farmer get away with selling his eggs when they aren’t inspected?  How does he/she avoid getting shut down by the state?

Luckily in some states, selling eggs from your farm doesn’t have to cause a lot of stress.  In most cases, the eggs can be sold from your farm (usually up to 5,000 eggs per year or have fewer than 3,000 laying hens), and usually without a license.  However, if you want to take them to a farmer’s market or off of your property, you will have to buy a license and follow some simple rules:

1. Pay a fee and file the application form for a license.
2. Label each carton with your name, address, grade, and size of theeggs.
3. Grade the eggs.
4. Keep them refrigerated at 45 degree F or below. At a farmers market or other off farm selling situation, an ice chest is usually okay, but it has to be kept at 45 degrees or below for the duration of the market day.

Here are some links to help you track down information in your state on this issue:

Oklahoma

Georgia

New York

If your state isn’t listed here, go to your state’s Department of Agriculture website for this information.

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