Gulf & Western Collective is a Private Membership Association (PMA), which means that our products and services are exclusively available to members who choose to join our community. As a PMA, we operate outside the scope of public regulatory bodies, ensuring that all interactions remain private and protected. Here’s how it works:

What is a PMA?

A Private Membership Association (PMA) is a legal structure that allows individuals to come together for the mutual benefit of its members, free from the interference of government regulation. PMAs operate in the private domain, which means they are protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, including the right to "freedom of association."

In practice, this allows Gulf & Western Collective to offer products and services that align with our values—like raw milk and pasture-raised meats—without the constraints of state and federal regulations. By joining the PMA, you become part of a community that exercises its right to make personal decisions about the food you eat and the products you use, all in a private, member-only environment.

How Do I Join?

Joining Gulf & Western Collective is simple:

1. Apply for Membership: To access the products and services we offer, you must become a member of our private association. Membership requires a minimal monthly fee of $5, which helps support our community and the farms we work with.

2. Agree to the Terms: As part of the application process, you will agree to the principles that govern our PMA, which include a commitment to privacy, personal responsibility, and respect for the collective’s values.

3. Enjoy Exclusive Access: Once you’re a member, you’ll gain full access to the curated selection of raw dairy, pasture-raised meats, fresh produce, and handmade goods that we offer, all produced by local family farms and artisans.

How Does The PMA Work?

As a member of Gulf & Western Collective, your relationship with the association is based on mutual trust and shared values. Here’s how the PMA operates:

• Privacy and Confidentiality: All transactions and activities within the collective are private matters between members. This means that our association is not subject to oversight by regulatory agencies like the FDA, USDA, or state agricultural boards. Your membership, purchases, and communications are protected by the privacy afforded to all members of a PMA.

• Freedom of Choice: Within our association, you have the freedom to make informed decisions about the products and services you use. We provide access to raw, unprocessed milk, pasture-raised meats, and other natural products that are not typically available in conventional markets due to regulatory restrictions.

• Support for Local Producers: By joining our PMA, you are supporting family farms and artisans who prioritize ethical farming practices and sustainability. This is a direct connection between you and the people who grow, raise, and produce the food you consume.

What Are Members Bound To?

When you join Gulf & Western Collective, you agree to a few basic commitments that reflect our values as a private association:

1. Personal Responsibility: As a member, you are responsible for making informed choices about the products you use. We encourage all members to do their own research and select the products that best align with their personal needs and preferences.

2. Privacy & Confidentiality: All members agree to maintain the privacy of the association and its activities. This means that members will not share details of the association’s products or services with government agencies or outside parties. Everything within the PMA remains confidential.

3. Mutual Respect: Our collective is built on mutual respect and trust. Members agree not to file liability lawsuits against the collective or fellow members, except in cases of clear and present danger as defined by the Supreme Court. This ensures that the collective can operate in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

Why Choose Gulf & Western?

By choosing to join Gulf & Western Collective, you are taking control of your food choices, embracing personal responsibility, and supporting a community that values independence and self-sufficiency. As a member, you’ll gain access to premium, ethically sourced products like raw milk and pasture-raised meats, while enjoying the protection and freedom offered by a private membership association.

Our PMA allows you to bypass the restrictions imposed by public markets and offers a direct connection to local, small-scale farmers who produce food that aligns with your values—natural, sustainable, and free from unnecessary industrial processes.