Like you, I don't believe this bill will pass in this form, although pieces of it may be combined with pieces of a couple of other bills that may make it into law someday. Buying into the hysteria that some people are attempting to foster, however, is no way to live.

A careful reading of this bill reveals that farmer's markets do not fall within the purview of this legislation because the bill only applies to a "food establishment that stores, holds, or transports food products PRIOR to delivery for retail sale." Since a farmer's market, like grocery stores, restaurants, etc., are the point of retail sale, they are excluded from the provisions of this act.

"Food" is defined as "a product intended to be used for food or drink for a human or an animal and components thereof," so this would plainly not apply to seeds, which are sold for planting.

Finally, and perhaps most reassuringly, "food production facilities" are not required to register under this act. "The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation."

What is still open to question is whether, apart from registration, any of the other provisions of this act will impact small farms and organic growers. One thing seems obvious, though: without a requirement to register, the government will have no way tracking a farm or other food production operation.

Fortunately, the Senate has yet to put in its two cents on this measure, and the bill will likely change considerably. Frankly, I don't see it passing at all because it essentially creates a new federal bureaucracy at a time when the government is already awash in debt. The Congress should focus on fixing or eliminating our many broken agencies before creating new ones.

I did see anything about organic farming or seed banks specific either, but if you read the bill it says ALL places that hold, store or sell ALL food for humans OR animals! That means that the little once a month farmers market here in town where gardeners bring their extra stuff to sell or trade would be shut down. It means if you have take your extra veggies to a market or any kind, you have to be registered. It means that places like PTF would not be able to sell to restaurants! without being registered! This affects all of us, because it takes away more and more of our choices!