If you have decided to form a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Family Limited Liability Company (“FLLC”), you should strongly consider creating an Operating Agreement. In New York, the Operating Agreement must be executed within 90 days of forming your LLC. Farms and food entrepreneurs are discouraged from using an online form as the Operating Agreement should be tailored to …
Overview of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
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 really is. It’s a game of Who’s Who for government players in the U.S. food and agriculture economy. The U.S. …
Speaking at Texas Bar CLE Agriculture Law Conference on Embryo Transfer Contracts
I’m pretty excited to be present at the Texas Bar CLE’s 7th Annual John Hauffaker Agriculture Law Course on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Texas Tech University, School of Law on Embryo Transfer Contracts. It’s part of a two-day legal conference and you can view the entire schedule here. You can find my outline here.
Overview of USDA’s Rural Development Agency
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 for government players in the U.S. food and agriculture economy. RD is …
Listen to My Presentation on Starting an Agriculture & Environmental Law Practice
I had an opportunity to speak last month to the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Section on the Environment, Energy and Resources (“SEER”) to the Special Committees on Young Lawyers and Law Students on how I started an agriculture law practice in New York City. You can listen to the recording here. I’m again posting the slides below. The handouts from …
Speaking at the Ohio Agriculture Law Symposium
I’m super excited to be heading back to the Midwest in June – I will be presenting at the Ohio Agriculture Law Symposium June 23-24, 2013 at Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, Ohio. On Sunday, June 23, 2013, I will be discussing “Strategies for Developing and Retaining Farm and Agri-Business Clients” along with the great Allen Olson from the Law …
Overview of USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service
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 …
Using Social Media to be an Advocate for Agriculture
I developed the below presentation for the Oneida County, New York 4-H program a few weeks ago. The below presentation includes primarily screenshots illustrating use of social media to “tell the story” of agriculture to the American consumer. It’s been a few years since I have had a “Blogroll” – the presentation notes several nice blogs from agriculture producers, including …
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 …