What is a PMA?
(The longer explanation)
What is a PMA?
Private Member Associations (PMA) are fully
legal entities operating independently of public statutes and regulations. Utilizing our natural ability of private contract, Little Farm Store Association member's interactions are governed solely by internal rules that exist separate from and not subject to state or federal statutes. This unique structure allows our producing members to offer a broader range of natural products, such as raw butter, yogurt, kombucha, salsa, pickles, and more at a reasonable price without the regulatory constraints imposed by state cottage laws or USDA, FDA, or other governmental regulatory bodies.
By joining this Private Membership Association,
you are making a choice to directly support small farms
and food producers and to take back control of your
personal food chain by connecting directly with the
farmers who grow your food and the food artisans who craft it. This is not just a place to buy food; this is a place to join a growing movement. A movement that champions local food sovereignty, nurtures community connections, and paves the way for a sustainably prosperous local food ecosystem. Together, we have the power to redefine our relationship with food and forge a future where neighborhood farmers and small businesses thrive.
Ensuring quality and safety within the PMA
Regardless of our independence from regulators, the safety and quality of the food available within this association is paramount. There are very valid reasons why certain food regulations were originally implemented, and we do NOT ignore those concerns in this organization. There are rigorous internal safety requirements and education about best practices in order to keep our members as safe as possible. Keep in mind that not even the government agencies can promise 100% safety - far from it! That's why there are cooking instructions and safe handling instructions on all your industrial food as well as nearly continual massive food recalls which cost businesses millions every year. Everyone in our food handling process takes ownership for the quality and safety of products available through our association.
The internal safety requirements and the high level of transparency between you and your farmer ensures all products within the association are safe to use, prepared in sanitary conditions, grown properly, and advertised accurately.
Building a thriving local economy
Supporting local business helps the people within our communities prosper by keeping more money circulating closer to home. When we support local farmers, producers, and businesses, the money from those transactions stays within the community helping our neighbors thrive. This is a loop that builds everyone up. The global market is an amazing feat of information and logistics, for sure, and is an important aspect of modern life, but the more we can buy local food first, the more secure and sustainably prosperous our communities become. Our association’s goal is to build a bridge that connects people with their local food community and enhances regional prosperity through local food purchases.
Building private community
The Little Farm Store Association does more than facilitate food sales; it builds community and promotes a thriving local economy. Members are able to connect with the producers supplying food, to build relationships and to see the processes for themselves. Little Farm Store Association hosts exclusive farm tours and workshops and facilitates volunteer opportunities to further strengthen these direct connections.
Members can connect with each other in much the same way; as we interact and attend events together, it is inevitable that we will become a closer community. Additionally, members have access to our private online community where you will find useful educational content, community discussion boards, invitations and digital access to meetings and other special events, producer profiles along with extensive content about their craft. This is a place where members, producers and consumers alike, can collaborate, learn, grow, and prosper.
How do I join?
Step 1: Read and sign the Membership Agreement.
This is a private organization, and by joining you are enter into a private contract between you and other LFS members. Signing the membership application allows you to engage in transactions that are a private contract with other members of the association. These transactions are not subject to government agency oversight or to public statutes or regulations. By joining this association you are choosing to exercise your natural right of private contract to choose foods and products that are of a quality and nature that aligns with your own moral values
Step 2: Pay your Membership Dues.
After you have created an account by agreeing to the membership agreement you will be asked to purchase your membership as either a monthly or a yearly payment. This minimal membership fee gives you access to the members forum, members social feed, access to our online market and access to additional exclusive content and event invitations. ​We also charge a one time set-up fee which covers the deposits for reusable bottles, insulated bags, ice packs and other items needed for delivery.
Step 3: Login and Shop.
Once your account is created you will be able to shop on our online market.
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The order deadline for once per week delivery is every Sunday by 11pm.
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Depending on your location you can choose to use one of our convenient pick up location or to receive delivery at your home or work.
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Deliveries for Mountain Grove, Hartville, Ava, and Mansfield (or any place along that route) are every Thursday.
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Deliveries for Seymour and the route into Springfield, Nixa and Ozark are on Fridays.
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We pick up items from producers each Wednesday, so you get the freshest harvest possible before your delivery day! Shop from the comfort of your home, on your own schedule. Skip the line at the big box store and fill your cart with great, local products many which are unavailable at big box stores, and enjoy fresh local food, delivered right to you.
In Summary
In the years that we have operated Little Farm Store, we have enjoyed connecting with producers but as we continued to grow we became aware of the growing number of seemingly innocuous regulations and bureaucratic permits that are compounding the red tape that increasingly hinders small farmers' and food producers' ability to profitably bring their products to market. A Private Member Association is a fully legal solution that allows both producers and consumers to avoid these excessive regulations regarding the growing, crafting, and consuming of food by engaging in private contract - reclaiming our power to choose our own food.
Considering the national and international events that are currently happening worldwide, it has never been as important as it is now to take back control of our personal food chain from corporate captured regulators and to build a more holistic community centered on locally produced foods.
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