As I write this blog, there is a stack of directories from the Yellow Pages by my building’s front door on the Upper West Side. It has been sitting there for the last two days completely untouched while busy New Yorkers went to work and walked passed it coming home. Finally, this morning I decided to break open the package and …
New York State Agriculture Mediation Program
Lawsuits are not the only way to solve legal disputes. I recommend that folks in the agriculture industry first consider alternative forms of dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. The New York State Agricultural Mediation Program (“NYSAMP”) gives folks a cheaper alternative to litigation. NYSAMP offers mediations throughout the state at the Community Dispute Resolution Center (“CDRC”) at either a free or a very …
Labor Day Links
I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day! I spent my Labor Day having some good ol’ Texas BBQ and enjoying the street fair in Manhattan. Here are some links for your Labor Day reading: 1. I spent Sunday afternoon listening to the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Department of Justice public workshops. It is definitely worth a listen for livestock producers (particularly cattle folks). …
Why I Started New York Agri-Women
For those of you who have been following this blog, you know that for the last eight months I have been working hard trying to start a state affilate of American Agri-Women (“AAW”). We had a tremendous turnout for the reception and agri-tour in New York City and meet-ups in the Finger Lakes and Syracuse. With huge efforts from AAW and …
Managing the Stresses of Farm and Ranch Life
I have really resonated with this blog by agriculture social media guru Michele Payn-Knoper about breaking away from work to enjoy time with family. I related to this in my own life because for the last year I have poured myself into building my law practice. Not only is “the law a jealous mistress” but it takes a lot …
Consider the Tax Consequences of Selling Farm Assets
There’s no doubt that dairy producers have been suffering from a challenging economic climate. The current milk prices have forced several dairy producers to consider selling farm assets to stay afloat. But before doing so, dairy producers should consider the tax implications. New York Farm Net has an excellent guide illustrating the tax consequences of farm liquidation that I recommend …
How Can You Help Change the Law?
Many people in the agriculture community like to complain about the law, but only a select few take the time to do something about it. In the recent Grassroots newspaper published by the New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB”), there is a great article by Jeff Williams (on page 13) about how a New York agriculture producer took the initiative to …
Celebrating One Year of Blogging About Food and Agriculture Law
I want to give a big thank you to all of my readers out there. I have had a great time blogging over the last year about food and agriculture law issues on this blog. I am excited to implement video blogs and guest blogs in the next year. In case you missed them, here were some of my favorite …
Will be Attending the New York State Fair
I am looking forward to attending the New York State Fair again this year. I will be up in Syracuse on Tuesday, August 31st to watch the State Supreme Champion Beef Female Show. I will then be judging the steer show the following day. If you are up in Syracuse on those days please come by and say hello. …
Beef Quality Assurance Certification
I am pretty excited to complete the Beef Quality Assurance (“BQA”) certification program. I registered with Carol Gillis at the New York Beef Industry Council . A $10 registration fee is required to help pay for the Mid-Atlantic Producer Certification Manual. After a cursory overview of the materials this morning, the manual seems chalk full of best management practices concerning …
Worthwhile Posts For Start-Up Businesses or the Independently Employed
I was trolling through the blogosphere this morning and came across some great blogs from Gina Madsen for small business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs: 1. Have you been considering using your 401(k) to help fund your start-up? If so, read this first. 2. If you are some type of self-employed person such as an agriculture free-lance writer, photographer or graphics …
Excited To Be Blogging Again
Apologies to my readers for taking a hiatus from blogging the month of July. My blog was changed to a different platform to give me greater flexibility. I hope to start video blogging this fall so please stay tuned. Big thank you to Matt Welsh at Kill Disco Design and Ranch House Designs for helping me with this transition. Now …