Cari Rincker Appointed to Editor of ISBA Agricultural Law Newsletter

Cari Rincker Appointed Editor of ISBA Agricultural Law Newsletter

Cari RinckerAg Law Lawyer, Ag Law Today, Agriculture Education, Agriculture Law, Press

Rincker Law, PLLC is proud to announce that founding attorney Cari Rincker has been appointed the Editor of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Agricultural Law Section Council Newsletter. This appointment reflects her long-standing leadership in agricultural law and her deep commitment to supporting Illinois farmers, agribusinesses, and rural families with trusted legal guidance. Why This Role Matters The ISBA’s Agricultural …

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Can Illinois Farmers Still Afford to Pass the Farm On? What the New Farmland Transition Law Means

Can Illinois Farmers Still Afford to Pass the Farm On? What the New Farmland Transition Law Means

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Family Farm, Farm Business, Farm Law, Farm Life, Farmland, Farmland Transition Law

Passing the family farm from one generation to the next has always been a cornerstone of Illinois agriculture. But as land prices surge and operational costs rise, the dream of keeping farms in the family is becoming harder to achieve. The new Farmland Transition Commission, created under Illinois Senate Bill 2372, aims to tackle this growing challenge by studying ways …

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Ask Sam and Regan: What’s in the Ag Law News?

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law

One Big Beautiful Bill Act The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and contains key tax and spending policies. It permanently increases federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples. Cattle and Emissions Regulations The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) won …

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The Smart Way for Agribusinesses to Manage Legal Risk: Outsourced General Counsel

The Smart Way for Agribusinesses to Manage Legal Risk: Outsourced General Counsel

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Business/Commercial Law, Farm Business, Farm Law, Outsourced General Counsel, Risk Management for Agribusinesses

Running an agribusiness today is both exciting and complex. Whether you’re operating a fertilizer company, an ag-tech startup, a feed mill, or a family-owned food processing plant, growth brings opportunity and legal challenges. Vendor contracts, employee handbooks, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and expansion plans all require legal oversight. But most small and mid-size agribusinesses cannot justify hiring a full-time, in-house …

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Why Illinois Farm Families Need Outsourced General Counsel: Protecting Land, Legacy, and Business

Why Illinois Farm Families Need Outsourced General Counsel: Protecting Land, Legacy, and Business

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Family Farm, Farm Business, Farm Closings, Farm Divorce, Farm Law, Farm Life, Farm Prenup Illinois, Outsourced General Counsel for IL Farmers

Running a family farm today involves far more than planting crops and raising livestock. Illinois farmers are expected to manage land, negotiate leases, comply with ever-changing regulations, and make sound business decisions — often while juggling multi-generational family dynamics. When unexpected legal issues arise, many farmers scramble to find help, only to be left with expensive hourly bills or lawyers …

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Ask Cari: Should You Add Your Child to the Farm Deed?

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Estate Planning

What if I add my child (who also works on the farm) to the deed for the land and the title to the equipment? Will that automatically transfer the land and equipment to my child when I die, avoiding probate? While some types of joint ownership cause the surviving owner to receive 100 percent of the ownership upon the passing …

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Illinois Farmers: Selling or Leasing Land for Solar, Wind, or Carbon Credits

Illinois Farmers: Selling or Leasing Land for Solar, Wind, or Carbon Credits

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Leasing Land for Solar Credits, Leasing Land for Wind or Carbon Credits

Illinois farmers are increasingly approached with opportunities to lease or sell farmland for renewable energy projects or to participate in carbon credit markets. These offers can look attractive—guaranteed income, diversification, and a chance to support clean energy. But they also come with long-term legal and financial risks. In this article, What Illinois Farmers Should Know About Selling or Leasing Land …

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Should You Form an LLC for Your Farm? A Guide for Illinois Agricultural Businesses

Should You Form an LLC for Your Farm? A Guide for Illinois Agricultural Businesses

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Family Farm, Farm Business, Farm Law, Farm Life

For Illinois farmers, protecting your land, equipment, and livelihood isn’t just about good crops, it’s about having the right legal foundation. In this article, “Should You Form an LLC for Your Farm? A Guide for Illinois Agricultural Businesses”, we explain how forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can safeguard your personal assets, streamline ownership, and position your farm for long-term …

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How to Legally Structure Your Illinois Farm Business for Growth and Protection

How to Legally Structure Your Illinois Farm Business for Growth and Protection

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Family Farm, Farm Business, Farm Law

Choosing the right legal structure for your farm isn’t just about paperwork, it can affect your taxes, liability, succession planning, and even your eligibility for certain programs. In this article, How to Legally Structure Your Illinois Farm Business for Growth and Protection, we share the pros and cons of common farm business structures in Illinois so you can select the …

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Hiring Seasonal Farm Workers in Illinois: What You Need to Know About Ag Labor Laws

Hiring Seasonal Farm Workers in Illinois: What You Need to Know About Ag Labor Laws

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Farm Law, Farm Life

For many farms in Illinois, seasonal workers are essential to keeping operations running smoothly during planting, harvesting, and peak production seasons. But hiring help isn’t as simple as shaking hands and getting to work. In this article, Hiring Seasonal Farm Workers in Illinois: What You Need to Know About Ag Labor Laws, we explain the key state and federal rules …

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Top 5 Legal Mistakes Illinois Farmers Make When Expanding Their Operation

Top 5 Legal Mistakes Illinois Farmers Make When Expanding Their Operation

Cari RinckerAgriculture Law, Farm Law, Farm Life

As agriculture evolves in Illinois, more farmers are expanding by buying land, diversifying crops, investing in agri-tourism, or scaling up operations. But growth can come with costly legal missteps. In this blog, Top 5 Legal Mistakes Illinois Farmers Make When Expanding Their Operation, we’ll outline the most common legal pitfalls and how to avoid them so your farm can grow …

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