Syndicate
We Need Your Support
We rely on membership dues from committed organizations as well as donations from individuals to continue our work.
Membership dues are based on an organization's revenue or operating budget, specifically $200 for the first $1 million and $100 for every $1 million after that. (Minimum dues are $200 and maximum dues are $12,500.)
If you are an individual who would like to support our work, please consider becoming a Friend of the DFTA with a contribution of $30. (Checks made out to DFTA can be mailed to PO Box 300190, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.)
Additionally, if you would like to receive periodic email news updates from us, send us an email at dftassociation@gmail.com and we will add you to our list.
Why should your organization join the Domestic Fair Trade Association? Click here for a list of membership benefits.
Download Sector Specific Member Applications
Membership Application: Non-Governmental Organizations
Membership Application: Farmworker Organizations
Membership Application: Retailers and Processors
Membership Application: Farmers
Not sure which sector you belong to? Please refer to the following definitions. Send us an email at dftassociation@gmail.com if you still have questions.
Farmers and Farmer Co-operatives and Associations. Family and small-scale farmers and democratic farmers’ co-operatives that serve and represent them, committed to a vision of fair trade, food justice and sustainable agriculture. Farmer is defined as one who owns, operates, or manages a farm engaged in primary agricultural production (raising of crops or livestock). (S)he is in charge of decisions related to agricultural production, marketing, and other aspects of the business. Members of the farmers’ family are considered farmers, even if receiving a wage (rather than farmworkers). Farmer Co-operatives and Associations are democratically structured organizations comprised of and led by farmers, with membership open to any farmer consistent with the co-operative’s or association’s mission. Organizations that advocate for or provide services to farmers but are not comprised of and led by farmers, as defined above, should be classified as NGOs for purposes of the DFTA.
Farmworkers’ Organizations. Organizations representing agricultural workers that are dedicated to social justice and human rights for workers, and particularly those with an agrarian vision that includes farm labor and small producers. A farmworker is defined as hired labor (waged or salaried employee) in a non-supervisory position and engaged in primary agricultural activity (crop or livestock production and related activities). Farmworker Organizations are trade unions or other democratically structured, representative organizations comprised of and led by farmworkers, with membership open to any farmworker consistent with the organization’s mission. Consistent with ILO Convention 135 and the ISO definition of worker, this sector “also excludes representatives of organizations established or effectively controlled by employers, industry or governments in any way.” (ISO) Organizations that advocate for or provide services to farmworkers but are not comprised of and led by farmworkers as defined above, should be classified as NGOs for purposes of the DFTA.
Intermediary Trading Organizations/Processors. Organizations whose main activity is trade with other organizations or enterprises, and who are committed to fair trade, sustainable agriculture, and social justice. This includes wholesalers, distributors, processors, and marketers.
Retailers, Food Co-operatives & Farmers’ Markets. Retailers and other organizations whose main activity is bringing [food] products to the end consumer, and who support fair trade, family farming, sustainable agriculture, and social justice. They demonstrate their support by making such activities a significant part of their business, and providing relevant information to consumers. This category includes retail stores, farmers’ markets, and buying clubs.
Civil Society Organizations and NGOs. Organizations that do not fall under one of the categories listed above, whose main activity is not trade, and that work for one or more of the following: fair trade, social justice, human rights for workers, family farming, sustainable agriculture, food security, health, and conscientious consumption. This category includes organizations that provide services to those in the other categories, organizations involved in advocacy and research, faith-based organizations, and cross-sector coalitions.