Cold December day at the Rincker Ranch

Happy Sunday.  I wanted to alert my readers on a deadline that right around the corner.  The American National Cattlewomen, Inc. (“ANCW”) is currently taking applications for the National Beef Speakers Bureau (“NBSB”) through December 15, 2011.  You can find the application here.  Last year was the first year for the program.  With the help of cattlewomen from coast to coast, volunteers were able to reach both urban and rural consumers educating them about the U.S. beef cattle industry.

I have been on the NBSB for the last year and have enjoyed reaching out to consumers in metropolitan New York City.  I’m a big proponent of “agvocacy” via social media, local news outlets, and face-to-face conversations with the people around you — whether you are at the grocery store, in an elevator, on an airplane, or speaking to groups in your community.  It’s paramount for the agriculture industry to “put a face on the plate” and help bridge the gap of understanding between consumers and the folks who are involved in food production.  When I have conversations with New Yorkers about the livestock industry, I am repeatedly told that they want to hear the stories about the farmer pulling a calf out of a blizzard in the middle of the night or how the livestock producer gets up early, even on Christmas morning, to feed their animals.  Consumer yearn for both “hard cold facts” about why beef is safe to eat and feed to our families and “soft warm facts” about how farmers love and care for the animals they raise.

If you are considering applying for the NBSB, I also recommend completing the Master’s of Beef Advocacy (“MBA”) program through the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) (it makes a great New Year’s Resolution!) and the Beef Quality Assurance (“BQA”) Program through your NCBA State Affiliate.  I completed both the MBA and BQA programs and believe that it is well worth it.

Overall, I had a great experience on NBSB — met some lifelong friends, gained invaluable knowledge, and (hopefully) made a difference in how the public views the beef industry.  If you are interested in applying, I recommend it.  ANCW does a good job running the program and travel expenses are paid through grant monies.  It’s a busy holiday season so get that application in before it’s too late!

Contact the NBSB Program Manager at 303-850-3440 orsbohnenkamp@ancw.org for more information.

After spending the last month campaigning in the Best of Barns Competition for Ag Agvocate of the Year and Best Agriculture Lawyer, I have some more exciting news to share… This Food and Agriculture Law Blog made the ABA Journal’s Top 100 Blawg List.  I am incredibly humbled to be on the same list of so many brilliant legal bloggers.  Additionally, I feel so honored to have received so many recommendations from my beloved readers, supporters, and “ag tweeps.” So thank you for taking the time to recommend this blog to the ABA Journal.  I hope that you can all see the deeply instilled passion that I have for the food and agriculture industry.   I’m very proud to be part of this industry that is so near to my heart and serve people like my father and grandfather who have spent their lives earning a living from the land.

The American Bar Association (“ABA”) is taking votes during the month of December on Top 100 Blawgs.  I know we’ve entered a busy holiday season, but I would love your vote.  You can find this blog listed in the “niche” category.

You can also follow @RinckerLaw on Twitter along with the other Top 100 Tweeps here.  I also encourage you to peruse the ABA Blawg Directory to find some other great “blawgs” covering a myriad of practice areas and jurisdictions.

This photograph was taken on our farm in Illinois several years ago during one of our sales. I have always loved seeing young people involved in the cattle industry. They are truly the future of the industry. YPC is a national organization for cattle producers ages 18-35.

I had a guest post today on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Producer’s (“NCBA”) Young Producers’ Council’s (“YPC”) blog, Cattle Call, noting some of my blog posts that may be applicable to young cattle producers.  If you have not done so already, I recommend subscribing to the Cattle Call RSS Feed.  I was the founding editor of this blog and it has been exciting to watch it grow with readership and enthusiasm.  I’m glad that YPC has given a powerful voice to young beef cattle producers.

I took this photograph in Idaho at the American Junior Simmental Association Classic.

If you are a fan of this food and agriculture law blog, I would appreciate it if you submit your recommendation to the American Bar Association (“ABA”) here to help the ABA select the Top 100 “Blawgs” for the 2011.  The ABA is currently seeking recommendations for “law blawgs” to include in their survey; subsequently, those blogs will be subject to a vote to select the Top 100.  Put another way, the ABA is seeking to identify blogs to include in the nominations list.  The deadline for submitting recommendations is September 9th.

This blog is including in the ABA Blawg Directory.  I encourage you to review the list and add blogs of interest to your RSS Feed (or even recommend other law “blawgs” in the directory).

I took this photo at the Texas A & M University Beef Farm near College Station, Texas. (c) 2011

It’s been a busy week.  I have been catching up on my blog feed before heading to the gym.   This is what I found:

This month’s Pennsylvania State Agriculture Law Brief has updates on the G-20 Action Plan, Hydraulic Fracturing, and the White House Rural Council.

I excitedly received a Google+ invite this week from a respected family law colleague (and friend).  Do you think it will “dominate” social networking? Or do you think Google + will be another Google “failure?” (“the wave” never caught on…).  Only time will tell.  I have to say that I’m starting to get a little social media exhaustion …. however, I just put up my Google + profile yesterday and interested to see how it develops/changes social networking.  I’m still trying to figure out the +1 button.  My Google account is cari.rincker@gmail.com (you can GChat me via iChat anytime).

So what do you think about the GIPSA proposed rule?  It was the focus last month during the Senate Ag Committee livestock hearing.

Have you heard about the proposed legislation at the federal level regarding the size of hen cages?  See also this.

Here is some USDA news from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

I enjoyed listening to this podcast about bankruptcy with farm describing the difference between Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 bankruptcy and this podcast about the effect of the bank failures on the family farm.

Curious why food prices are up?

Does your farm need to purchase workers compensation insurance?

I liked this post:  How Your Horse Business Can Survive an IRS Audit.  Here are some thoughts on organizing your tax records.

This is correct.  The Defense of Marriage Act prevents same-sex married couples from filing jointly on federal tax returns.

I took this photo years ago -- it is ranchland outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming. (c) 2011

Are agriculture land values on the decline?

Are you interested in the Food Safety Modernization Act?

Thinking about getting a Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Living Trust form online?  I agree with this post.  Hire an attorney.  Don’t take chances.  Your assets are too valuable.

I enjoyed this post regarding why savvy entrepreneurs need legal counsel.  Can’t afford not to.

A gentle reminder why contracts can make you money and help get you a good night’s rest.

I agree – I love my iPhone too.

As an attorney who practices family law, I enjoyed this post regarding the tax implications of voluntary spousal support.

This post is  a nice reminder why a Power of Attorney is important.  Do you have one?

So what is an “Article 10″ proceeding in New York?  It is a petition under the NY Family Court Act for child neglect/abuse.

Finally, I liked this post about why we have zoning ordinances.  Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves why we have certain regulatory mechanisms put in place.

I took this photo of a buffalo herd while roadtripping through South Dakota with my dog, Taylor. Beautiful countryside. (c) 2011

Seems like just yesterday I was driving across South Dakota with my dog Taylor before starting Rincker Law, PLLC and this blog.  It’s been a great ride so far.  Big thank you to my friends, family, colleagues, contract attorneys/legal assistants, clients and blog readers for all your support.

It’s been a busy year indeed.  Over the last year, I am very thankful to have been honored as a Distinguished Alumni of Lake Land College (“LLC”) (read about my experience at LLC here), selected for the American Cattlewomen (“ANCW”) National Beef Speakers Bureau (“NBSB”), elected President of New York Agri-Women (“NYAW”), elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) Young Producer’s Council (“YPC”), and profiled in the ABA Journal.  My work on the YPC social media guides has caught industry attention (we are currently working on a LinkedIn Guide for cattle producers).

I have had a busy spring with speaking engagements including the New Jersey State Bar Association (“NJSBA”) Annual Meeting, New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB” Animal Welfare Symposium, and NYFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Leadership Conference.  Additionally, I am also in the middle of a family/matrimonial law seminar series for mental health professionals.  I hope to have webinars available for the agriculture industry this fall/winter.

On the technology front, I have become an Apple-using attorney (“MacLawyer”) now using an iMac, iPhone, iPad (great for the courtroom), and Macbook Pro.  Even though I have found a few glitches in my system transfer, I have been very happy with my Apple products and customer service.  I have also entered the world of Skype.  I gave it the college try on my first video blog (hopefully more to come) and have been experimenting with WebEx in the animal & agriculture production law & policy course that I am currently enrolled in.  I am considering using WebEx for a platform with clients, Ag Book Club chats, and webinars.

And- I almost forgot- within the last year I became NCBA Beef Quality Assurance (“BQA”) certified.

In case you missed it, here are a few of my favorite blogs over the last year:

1.  I recently wrote an article on embryo transfer contracts for the livestock industry.  I feel very strongly that the agriculture industry needs a shift in business culture putting agreements in writing.  Embryo transfers/flushes are no exception.

2.  Does your sale abide by the “suggested sale terms” from your livestock breed association?  Make sure there is a meeting of the minds and put the terms of the agreement in writing.  As a caveat, pay attention to silent “suggested sale terms” (e.g., semen’s ability to freeze) that may be material.

3.  When is the last time you had fence maintenance on your farm?  This blog delves into a livestock owner’s potential liability with highway accidents.

4.  This post gives an overview of state laws relating to livestock space.  So what is next?

5.  Some folks really enjoyed this post regarding the role of a buyer’s attorney in a real estate closing.

6.  One of my personal favorites – this post memorializes why I think prenuptial agreements are romantic.

7.  I highly suggest seeking counsel before entering into a wind lease.

8.  Dr. Temple Grandin is on a short list of women that I look up to most in the livestock business.

9.  When is the last time you updated your employee handbook?

10.  Are you trying to decide what business structure is best for you?  Read this previous post first.

11. Are you considering getting divorced in New York?  Here is an overview of the new “no fault” divorce law.

12.  Why I am proud to be a member of the agriculture industry.

13.  Knock, knock.  ”Who’s there … and do you have a warrant?”  How New York livestock producers should handle visits from non-police officers.

14.  We are half-way through the 2011 tax year.  Have you thought about charitable deductions?

15.  So what do you think is the most important issue affecting the agriculture industry?

16.  I feel very passionate about succession/estate planning for farm/ranch families.  So when is the last time you had *that* conversation?

17.  Don’t just be thankful on Thanksgiving.  Why are you thankful?

18.  How to find the right attorney for you (Part I and Part II).

19.  Don’t just complain.  You can help change the law.

Thank you to for your loyal readership!  Seems like just yesterday I was celebrating my one-year blogging anniversary.  Looking forward to a fantastic year three.

The Angus Journal had an article this month titled “Social Media 101” that mentioned that social media guides that I helped develop for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) Young Producer’s Council (“YPC”) (@YPCBeef) along with a great crew of volunteers.  You can read my previous post on the guides here.  You can also find the guides on my JD Supra page for Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs.  Special thanks to Ranch House Designs (my web designer) for working on the design for the Facebook and blog guides for YPC.

YPC is currently developing a guide for LinkedIn.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact YPC’s new PR gal, Jesse Bussard (@cowgirljesse).  The guides are geared to cattle producers but most information is applicable to folks involved in various industries.

In case you missed it, the YPC Cattle Call Blog moved this spring.  Please update your RSS Feed.  If you are a YPC member (or supporter), please make sure to join our Facebook group.

I have two very exciting announcements today.  First, this month’s  ABA Journal has an article on yours truly!  You can read the full article here. I’m very proud to be one of the few cowgirls in NYC (and I think the only agriculture attorney).  Thank you to all my family, friends, colleagues, support staff, “ag tweeps” and regular blog readers for all the support.  And a very special thanks to the folks at Hudson Pines who let me come take the picture in front of beautiful Simmental cows.

Second, I’m happy to announce that this blog was added to the American Bar Association‘s Blawg Directory.  This blog is in good company with other wonderful “law blawgs.”  You can search the ABA Blawg Directory by topic, author-type, region, and/or law school.   I suggest checking out some of the other “blawgs” in the directory on animal law, business law, environmental law, energy law, copyright law, corporate law, Law in Popular Culture, trademark law, trusts and estates, and tax law.

Still looking for some law blogs?  I also recommend reviewing Justia’s Blawg Directory.  This food and agriculture law blog is listed in Justia’s agriculture law directory.

I took this photo at a cattle branding near Bozeman, Montana.

I hope all my readers had a nice weekend.  After a tough workout, I was able to catch-up on my NetNewsWire Google Reader feed yesterday over a warm cup of coffee.  I thought the following posts were worth noting:

1.  I have worked as a legal consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization (“FAO”) of the United Nations in Rome.  This Twitter interview with Italian family lawyer Tiziano Solignani made me miss my time living in Italy.  I have always had a love for international law and traveling abroad.  Might have to plan a European vacation soon.

2.  I’m happy to hear that the University of New Hampshire, School of Law, will be offering an Agriculture and Food Law Topics survey course.  On a similar note, does your junior high or high school have an agriculture class?  I am a big supporter of agriculture education at the secondary level.  In fact, I think a one-semester survey course should be required for high school students so American consumers can better understand the food, fiber, and biofuel industries.

3.  As I noted in this post, I am a member of the American National Cattlewomen’s (“ANCW”) National Beef Speakers Bureau (“NBSB”).  (Speaking of cattlewomen…).  Members of the NBSB speak to consumers about the beef cattle industry.  I have frequently posted about the need of “agvocacy” on this blog; however, what do you think about this post?  I do think the agriculture community needs to make sure that our goal isn’t to simply “stir the pot” but to add transparency in the food/ag system.

4.  It is so important for families to not be afraid to talk about these important issues.  Please also review this previous post.

5.  Thinking about filing for bankruptcy?  This post notes some differences between Chapter 7 & and Chapter 13.

6.  The date for the Texas A & M University Beef Cattle Short Course is set.  Would love to get back to College Station for a few days…

7.  Are you curious about USDA Rural Home Loans?

8.  The President of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) testified in front of the House Committee on Agriculture regarding pending Free Trade Agreements (“FTAs”) with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.

9.  Are you looking for information about the nutrition in your food?  Check out the USDA Agriculture Research Service (“ARS”) National Nutrient Database.

10.  Even though I live in New York City, I still have western style.  I spent the weekend dreaming about these bathtubs for a farm/ranch home.  I also love these handbags.

11.  I’m excited to hear about the growth of community gardens in Camden, New Jersey.  And this post made me hungry.

12.  Looks like we should expect the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (“GIPSA”) final rule this fall.

13.  I really liked this post about working well with your attorney.  A good attorney-client relationship translates to high quality legal services.

14.  Are you considering changing attorneys?

15.  What are your thoughts on rising food prices?

16.  My prayers are with the farms that were affected by tornados this spring.

17.  I just downloaded this application for my iPad.  I’m curious – are many of my readers iPad users?  If so, how are you using it on your farm/ranch or business?

18.  This post has an interview with one of my favorite ag tweeps.

I took this picture during graduate school at the University of Illinois Beef Research Farm

I have previously noted on this blog my admiration for Dr. Temple Grandin as an animal scientist.  She truly is an extraordinary woman and has done so much for the livestock industry.  Last night, I was reading National Cattlemen’s Beef Association‘s (“NCBA”)Beef Issues Quarterly for Fall 2010 and on Page 23 there is a great interview with Dr. Temple Grandin.  I posted a few excerpts below that complement some of my previous posts/articles.

Dr. Jason Ahola:  Dr. Grandin, you’ve worked with the beef cattle industry on animal care and handling for years.  Can you tell me mroe about the changes you’ve seen over time?

Dr. Grandin:  Since I started out in the 70′s, I’ve seen a lot of improvements. * * * You see it in things like low-stress handling workshops; you didn’t have that before.  There’s a lot more awareness today.  The good sector of the industry- the people who are doing a good job-has expanded. * * * I feel very strongly about the industry’s communication with the public.  People in agriculture haven’t done a good job of communicating what they do.  I think ranchers need to be putting videos up on the Web of just the normal chores out on the ranch. * * *

I have previously raved of my love for social media on this blog (both as an attorney and agriculture woman) and how important “agvocacy” is both on- and off-line (but see this post regarding balancing technology and tradition).  In the last few years, we (the agriculture industry) keep hear how consumers want to “hear our story” — so much so that some of us are tired of hearing about how we need to “tell our story.”  But it is so important for the future of the agriculture industry.  When I have conversations with urban consumers in New York City do not like to buy meat products from “factory farms” I ask them what could be done to change their impression of the meat industry.  Time and time again I hear “I want to hear the story of the cattle producer who brings in his calf in the middle of the blizzard” or “I want to meet the sheep producers that care for their lambs on Christmas morning” or even “I want to understand that the animals are chickens being taken care of properly.”

I took this picture in the Sandhills of Nebraska while interning with the American Simmental Association

Not only can social media add transparency of your farm/ranch but it also helps generate a positive public image.  Livestock producers need to pay attention both to their brand/public image but also to their relationship with the consumer.  It can be one of the several necessary defensive moves against livestock animal cruelty charges.  For those of you who are just getting started with social media, I have posted the NCBA Young Producer Council (“YPC”) social media guides in this previous post.

Dr. Jason Ahola:  Based on your work and the changes you’ve seen, do you think animal welfare is a priority for cattle farmers and ranchers?

Dr. Grandin:  * * * I think we have to look at everything that we do and say, “If I brought my New York wedding guests out, what would they think?”  I can take people to our big packing plants here in Colorado and have them watch cattle going up the chute, and they say, “Wow, I just can’t believe they’re going so calmly up the chute.  This isn’t so bad.” * * * Simple changes to facilities . . . can make a huge difference.

I recently spoke to a group of livestock producers on livestock animal cruelty law in New York.  One of the recommendations that I gave to those folks were to walk/drive around their farm and make note of all the “broken windows.”  ”Broken windows” are the things that you see all the time but never notice.  I first heard this term from my pastor when I lived in Wyoming.  If a lay person from the public would come to your farm today, what would they see?  Are there any “broken windows” on your farm/ranch that need fixed to make sure you are putting your livestock operation with the best foot forward?  Are you participating in voluntary animal welfare programs and bragging about this involvement online?  Pay attention to public perception.  Make sure you are doing the “simple changes” to your facilities that make a big difference.

Dr. Jason Ahola:  Obviously you’ve seen the main concern for farmers and ranchers is proper care and welfare for animals.  I think the average farmer or rancher with a hundred head is also facing tough economic times.  What do you recommend for those folks as the single most important thing they should be doing to make a difference for animal care when working cattle?

Dr. Grandin:  Calm down.  You’ve got to calm down.  There are a lot of low-stress handling techniques but you can’t learn any of that stuff if you don’t calm down.  And then you’ve got to make sure that in the squeeze chute and coming out of the squeeze chute you’ve got non-slip flooring, because animals panic and fall down when they slip. * * * There are places for fancy things.  Large feedyards and large ranches where you have a lot of employee turnover is a place for fancy facilities.  But a small ranch can really make do with rudimentary facilities, especially if you calm down. * * *

What I love about this answer from Dr. Grandin is that #1 thing that cattle handlers can do from an animal welfare standpoint is to “calm down” and pay attention to their demeanor when working livestock.  This doesn’t cost a thing- maybe just a little more time for being calm and patient when cattle aren’t behaving the way they should.  Even so, I still recommend that livestock producers work with an extension specialist to make sure they are using the proper equipment and facilities to lower stress.  However, I love that Grandin points out that “calming down” is the most important animal handling technique.

For those of you who are NCBA members, I encourage you to read her full interview in your Beef Issues Quarterly.  She’s one brilliant woman with common sense and a heart for the livestock industry.  I was able to meet her for the first time last year at a book-signing in New York City.  She was a little confused how a cattle girl ended up in the Big City…