I’m currently conducting a blog series where each week I give an overview of the responsibilities of a government agency regulating our food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful reminder for everyone on just how complex our regulatory system is. It’s a game of Who’s Who in U.S. food and agriculture. The Foreign Agriculture Service (“FAS”) is the …
New York Ag Lien For Service of Stallions or Bulls
Are you owed money from the service of a stallion or bull to another horse or cattle breeder? If you’re in New York, then this post is for you. Under Section 160 of NY Lien Law, the “owner of a stallion or bull shall have a lien on each mare or cow served together with the foal or calf of …
Overview of the Farm Service Agency and its Farm Loan Programs
As noted a few weeks ago, I’m currently doing a blog series on government agencies affecting our nation’s food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful exercise to know who the players are and what each agency is does. The Farm Service Agency (“FSA”) reports to the Under Secretary of the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (“FFAS”) of the …
Wedding Bells this Summer? Is a Prenup Right for You?
It’s that time of year again when I get phone calls about prenuptial agreements for summer weddings. Remember, in New York, prenuptial agreements will be enforced so long as the terms are reasonable, both sides are represented by separate lawyers, and there is not duress. To prevent duress, neither party should feel pressure to sign the prenuptial agreement because of …
Register for the Upcoming Food Labeling CLE to Help Counsel Farmers, Food Entrepreneurs and Restaurants
I’m super excited about an upcoming Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) webinar that I will be moderating for the American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s (“GPSolo”) Agriculture Law Committee next month on food labeling law for farmers, food entrepreneurs and restaurants. We will be covering a lot of information in this 2 hour webinar and hope …
Overview of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (“NRCS”) is another sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). NRCS was established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It administers conservation programs to help preserve our natural resources and environment. It manages several national centers including but not limited to the (1) National Soil Survey Center, (2) National Water and Climate Center, …
My Story on How I Started an Agriculture & Environmental Law Practice
I spoke yesterday to the American Bar Association’s Section on the Environment, Energy and Resources (“SEER”) Special Committee on Young Lawyers. I’m no expert on the subject but the below presentation has “My Story.” For those of you who are in law school or newly admitted attorneys, I encourage you to think about “Your Story.” [slideshare id=17463695&doc=howtostartanag-envirolawpractice-1-130321121011-phpapp01] If you have …
Federal Government Agencies Responsible for Food
Recently, I have been reading through Neal Fortin’s book titled “Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy & Practice”. Fortin has a helpful chart illustrating the federal government agencies that regulate food. The federal agencies and responsibilities are as follows: Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”): drinking water, pesticide residues Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”): food (excluding meat and poultry), drugs (including both …
Overview of the U.S. Forest Service & Livestock Grazing Permits
I thought it would be helpful to educate my readers on the government agencies that affect the food and agriculture system in the United States. I will be going through the various agencies one by one. So please stay tuned! The U.S. Forest Service (“FS”) is a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and overseen by the Under …
Pace Law School’s Environmental Law Summer Program with Food and Agriculture Law
As I noted in this post, I will be teaching Survey to Food and Agriculture Law this summer from July 1-5, 2013 at Pace University, School of Law. I wanted to give my readers information on the entire environmental law program. After looking at the entire course schedule, I’m in aw of the great job that my alum has done. …
Interested in Starting an Agriculture or Environmental Law Practice?
I will be joining Natara Feller, an energy lawyer, on April 9, 2013 to discuss starting an agriculture or environmental law practice. The “Quick Teleconference” is hosted by the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (“SEER”) Special Committee on Young Lawyers and the Special Committee on Law Students. The Quick Teleconference is free for SEER members …
My Presentation on Local Food Law at Pace Law School
I gave the below presentation at Pace Law School last night. It was great being back at my alma mater. The recording is available for purchase from Pace Law School’s CLE program. Jason Foscolo handled the first part of the presentation speaking on direct marketing, food labeling, the Food Safety Modernization Act and raw milk. I touch upon several other …