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 …
The Collaborative Divorce – The Right Fit For You?
Collaborative law is an alternative to a lengthy, expensive, and adversarial litigation process. Couples, with the assistance of their attorneys (and sometimes other professionals), make joint decisions regarding the dissolution of their marriage. In order for the collaborative process to work, both the husband and wife must agree to work effectively together to reach goals that satisfy both parties. Trust …
Estate Planning is More Than Just Getting a Last Will and Testament
Many people think that “estate planning” is really just hiring a lawyer or downloading a program off the internet (which I do not suggest) to draft a Last Will and Testament. However, it’s more complicated than that. A good estate planning attorney will have you complete a questionnaire giving him/her information on your family tree, assets and liabilities in order …
Would Love a Shout-Out in the Best of the Barns Competition
Ranch House Designs, Inc. recently announced that it is taking recommendations for its innagural Best of the Barns Competition. Each day it will be asking for recommendations for one of its many categories via its Facebook page. You can also email recommendations to kc@ranchhousedesigns.com. Last year, I was the lucky winner of the Best Agriculture Lawyer. Huge thanks goes to …
Appointed as Vice-Chair of a Special Committee for ABA Section of the Environment, Energy & Resources
Want something done? Ask a busy person (or so it seems). I was recently appointed to serve as the Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Special Committee on Section, Division and Forum Coordination (“SDFC”) for the Section of the Environment, Energy and Resources. (Whew- that’s a mouthful…) I’m looking forward to working with the Special Committee delving into environmental …
Free Ag Law Webinar For Folks Affected By the Drought
The National Agriculture Law Center will host a free webinar covering legal issues relating to the 2012 drought including federal crop insurance and disaster assistance, hay transportation, U.S Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) drought initiatives available for producers, and update on the 2012 Farm Bill provisions relevant to drought issues. The webinar will be on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 12-1pm …
Would Love Your Recommendation for the ABA Blawg 100
To my beloved readers… It’s that time of year again when the American Bar Association (“ABA”) is searching for the best 100 law blogs (“blawgs”). Last year, I made the coveted list and would love to do again.. but can only do so with your help. If you are a fan of this Food, Farm & Family Law Blog please …
How is Durational Spousal Maintenance Calculated in New York?
Pursuant to a divorce, spousal maintenance may be awarded for life, not at all, or for a fixed period of time. In New York, lifetime maintenance is awarded in extremely rare circumstances. Durational maintenance is awarded to the lesser-monied spouse of a divorce for a defined, fixed term. The purpose of durational maintenance is to enable the lesser-moneyed spouse to …
Save the Date: Local Food Law Seminar at Pace Law School on October 29th
I’m excited to announce that I will be a faculty member for a Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) seminar at Pace University, School of Law (my alum) on Monday October 29th, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30pm titled “Survey of Local Food.” Just as the title indicates, the speakers will be presenting on a myriad of practice areas affecting the local food …
Estate Planning Isn’t Just For the Elderly
Let’s face it. Estate planning is easy to push off. What’s another week… another month… another year… another five years… After all, I’m healthy. My spouse is healthy. We don’t have kids. We don’t have a lot of assets. I don’t care if what-little-I-do-have follows the rules of intestacy (i.e., the “default rules” if you die without a Last Will …
What Are Some Things That You Would Pay More For?
I enjoyed reading Troy Marshall’s article in Beef magazine titled “5 things I’d pay more for” (page 43 in the July 2012 issue). Troy states that there are a few items he thinks is worth extra money including (his Top 5): 1. Good genetics; 2. Good people; 3. Good equipment and tools; 4. Good horse; and, 5. Good boots. I …
Interested in Learning More about California’s Proposed GM Food Labeling Law?
The American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (“SEER”) will be hosting a program titled California’s Proposed GM Food Labeling Law: Pros, Cons, and Legal Issues on tomorrow, July 31, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 EST. The program is co-sponsored by the International Environmental Law Committee; the Pesticides, Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know Committee; the National Agricultural Law Center; and the American Agricultural Law Association …