One of the biggest hurdles in successfully passing down a family business (with any kind of family business) is training its successors. Same is true with family farming operations or agri-businesses, which require specialized knowledge and skill sets. Failure to do so adequately can mean the end to a family business with the manager deceases or is no longer able …
FDA & USDA Compliance Boot Camp for the Food and Beverage Industry
The American Conference Institute will be having a “FDA & USDA Compliance Bootcamp” in Chicago on October 3-4, 2012. Participants will receive a substantive review of a myriad of food and beverage law issues including: – Food ingredients and additives – Product labels – Food and beverage marketing and advertising claims -Food safety -Food imports -Inspections -Food and animal feed. …
NBI Webinar: Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
The National Business Institute (“NBI”) will be having a substantive webinar on October 3, 2012 from 11:00am to 6:00pm ET (that’s no typo – it’s a 7 hour webinar…). It’s a little pricey for a webinar but if you are interested in this topic (like me) then I think it’ll be worthwhile. Topics for the webinar include the following: (1) …
New Member of the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York
As noted in previous posts on this blog, I have a growing divorce and family law mediation practice. I wanted to take a moment and note my membership of the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York. If you are looking for a divorce or family law mediator, I recommend reviewing the Member Directory. Share this Article
Registration Form Available for Local Food Law Seminar at Pace Law School
The registration form is available for the Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) Seminar at Pace Law School in White Plains, New York on Monday, October 29th on a survey of local food law. It is open to the public and the general admission is only $15. There will be approximately 20 minutes or so of Q & A so come ready …
Discounted Rate for Crop and Livestock Insurance Law Webinar
The American Bar Association (“ABA”) announced today that it will be offering a 15% discount on the recording for the Crop & Livestock Insurance Law Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) Webinar that I moderated last winter thru September 17, 2012. You can order it here and use the following discount code: CCE2CROP. Share this Article
Determining Your Goals For the Estate Planning Process
For those of you who have decided to charge ahead with an “estate plan” for your family, it’s important to really think about your goals of the estate planning process. Your objectives will help guide the entire estate planning process and will be a guidepost to your estate planning attorney in helping formulate the correct game plan. As a caveat, …
Online Business Plan Course for NY Farms
I hope my readers had a fantastic Labor Day. I was beachside getting some R & R. Cornell Small Farms Program‘s Northeast Beginning Farmers Project will be offering an online course title “Planning for Sustainability – Writing Your Business Plan” where participants will hear from farmers, business management educators, and bankers about business plans. The course begins on October 4th and …
My Path Becoming an Agriculture Lawyer in New York City
Last month, I spoke to a group of Texas 4-H kids at a Texas A & M University via Skype about my work as an agriculture lawyer in New York City. I was asked to share a bit about my path and how I become an agriculture lawyer in the Big Apple. Here was my response: I grew up on …
Food Law Webinar on Genetically Engineered Animals
Food Seminars International (“FSI”) will be having a 90 min. food law webinar on September 5, 2012 at 2pm ET on Genetically Engineered (“GE”) Animals. Dr. Alison L. Van Eenennaam from UC Davis will be presenting on the following issues: (1) Current status of research and development in GE animals; (2) Regulation of GE animals in the United States (including …
Harvard’s Food Law & Policy Career Guide
Big thanks to Jean Terranova (@JeanTerranova for you Twitter folks) for sending me the Food Law and Policy Career Guide by the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic and Harvard Food Law Society. I think it’s an excellent resource for folks interested in a career in food & agriculture law. The guide briefly notes areas of concentration including agriculture, biotechnology/GMOs, …
New York State Farmers Markets
I was recently reminded of this expansive list of farmers markets (organized by county) throughout New York State by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets. You can find the winter markets here. In New York City, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket, Community Markets and Harvest Home are the Big 3. I’m excited about the growth of farmers markets in both urban and …