Last month, I had an opportunity to visit with someone at Grow NYC (who runs Greenmarket), who shared this report with me (funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation): “Farmers on the Edge: An Assessment of Greenmarket Farmers’ Needs, and the Growing Challenges of Keeping Their Farms Viable.” I finally had an opportunity to review the report in detail. It …
ABA GP Solo Agriculture Law Committee to Meet at AALA
The American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s (“GP Solo”) Agriculture Law Committee (which I chair) will meet in person on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 7:00am (yep you read that correctly – 7 bells) at the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Annual Agriculture Law Conference at the Sheratan in Nashville, Tennessee. Bright & early! (Don’t …
Starting a Mobile Food Business?
I love entrepreneurs, especially food and agriculture entrepreneurs. I was reading this publication last week and enjoyed its discussion on mobile food businesses, which are taking off in metropolitan areas like New York City. Mobile food businesses are more than just food trucks– it can include mobile farmers markets, mobile grocery stores, and produce carts. Mobile food businesses have the …
A Few Thoughts on Matrimonial Agreements
Matrimonial agreements are always encouraged, especially with divorces. When people enter into an agreement as opposed to getting an order from a judge, it is more likely that they will comply with the agreement. Any type of matrimonial agreement is a contract and can be enforced by court action just like any other civil contract. Matrimonial agreements may discuss the …
Build a Management “Team” For Your Family Farm or Agri-Business
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 …