Venita Harris

I think you need to get a business license from your county or town. The process for getting one would probably be different for each area. You can set yourself up as a sole-proprietorship, and you’d need to get a DBA (doing business as) if you want to operate under a fictitious name (not your personal name).

I know that you’d need to prepare the rabbits in an inspected facility, but I don’t know much more than that. You need to contact the ag dept for more info.

Kristin, my assumption is that bone broth would not be allowed, but you should check with the ag dept.

As long as it doesn’t contain meat, I believe you could set yourself up as a home food processing operation: http://forrager.com/law/virginia-home-food-processing-operation/

Yes, this should be allowed for a home food processing operation, which I was not well-informed about back in February.

I don’t think any drink would be allowed under the cottage food law, and I’m not really familiar enough with starters to comment on them. My guess is that those wouldn’t be allowed either, but you should talk with the ag dept to…[Read more]

Usually there is some kind of exemption for charitable or nonprofit sales, but I’m not sure about sales to benefit an individual. If you are in business for yourself, that is more or less sales to benefit an individual (you), right? I don’t really know… I’d suggest you call the ag dept for more info.

I’m not sure either. I’d recommend you call the ABC dept.

Your mother would need to become a home food processing operation: http://forrager.com/law/virginia-home-food-processing-operation/

You should contact one of the contacts on that page for more specific details.