Over the last few months, it has come to my attention that several pet shops in NYC are purchasing dogs from puppy mills, advertising the dogs as being “locally bred” and then selling the trendy dogs for a huge profit. Several of these dogs are getting sick and sometimes dying almost immediately after purchase. If this happens to you, it is …
Thank a Farmer Week: I am Thankful For My Grandpa
Next week we will all be sitting around enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with our families, but this week we are all giving thanks to a farmer we appreciate. Two days ago, I thanked my father. Today, I want to thank another special farmer in my life, my grandfather, Leland Rincker. My grandparents on my dad’s side live very close to where …
Thank a Farmer Week: I am Thankful For My Father
Leading up to Thanksgiving, it’s “Thank a Farmer” Week and I am highlighting agriculture producers that have made a special impact on my life. I am sure that it is no surprise that I am thankful for my father, Curt Rincker. He is the Agriculture Division Chairman at Lake Land College (“LLC”) in Mattoon, Illinois during the day and then …
Get Ready For A Food Fight: Thank a Farmer Week
Several agriculture commodity groups, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”), are joining forces this week in a “food fight” against mainstream media for attacking modern agriculture production. As noted in this blog, I strongly believe that U.S. agriculture should be viewed as part of the food security solution and Americans need to support the people who work hard to …
Livestock Animal Cruelty Laws in Connecticut
Over the last month or two, I have been blogging about livestock animal cruelty laws in New York. However, Connecticut has a similar statute that proscribes the neglect of livestock animals. Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-247(a), livestock producers in Connecticut can be prosecuted for the failure to provide necessary food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Thus far, horse …
U.S. Agriculture is Part of the Food Security Solution
By now, we have all heard about this cover article published by Time magazine which criticizes modern agriculture (if you haven’t, I encourage you to read it). Last weekend, I read the latest newsletter by the American Agri-Women (@Women4Ag on Twitter) responding to Bryan Walsh’s editorial in Time. In the article, I particularly liked the response from Patrick Boyle, President …
AgriTourism: A Few Considerations
I am a huge supporter of farms and ranches generating additional income through agritourism — not only does this help generate additional monies for an agriculture operation but it can serve as a way to help bridge the gap of understanding between city folks and producers. However, as Craig Raysor (a.ka. @AgriLawyer) from Gillon & Associates, PLLC points out in …
Ag Torts 101: Premise Liability
Sorry that it’s been a while since my last Ag Torts 101 blog. As a reminder, in this blog, I stated that a “tort” is a civil wrongdoing other than breach of contract. Among the different types of torts, negligence is the most common tort among farms, ranches, and agribusinesses. In this blog, I stated that the four common law …
Interview on ShowToWin.com
I think it’s easy for legal bloggers to sit behind a computer screeen without ever sharing who they are and how they went down thier path. In particular, I realize that the fact that I’m an agriculture attorney in NYC is confusing to most people. I am fairly certain that I am the only resident of Manhattan that recieves the …
Recommendations for Ag Book Club?
As noted in this blog, I am starting an Ag Book Club where there will be an online discussion on book criticizing modern agriculture. In around mid-December there will be a discussion on Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma (tentative date and time is Wednesday, December 9th at 8pm ET). (As a reminder, you can join the faceboook group here). I …
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food
Tomorrow, on Thursday, November 5th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) will be having a second facebook chat on its program “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.” The chat will take place at 3pm ET discussing how to get fresh produce to local schools with Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. The program expands on the 2008 Farm Bill to help promote …
YPC Spotlight: Interview with Holly Foster (Part II)
In yesterday’s blog, Holly Foster answered questions about her involvement with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) Young Producers’ Council (“YPC”). In Part I, she described her involvement on the Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee and her goals for the organization. Here are the rest of her answers to the interview. 1. What are the hot topics in your committee …