Agricultural Law Updates for Illinois Farmers and Agribusinesses: July 2026 reviews several recent federal and state developments affecting producers, processors, rural communities, and agricultural businesses. In the July 2026 issue of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Agricultural Law newsletter, Rincker Law attorneys Sam Ellis and Cari Brett Rincker co-authored “Ag Law in the News: July 2026,” an overview of developments …
Agricultural Law Updates for 2026: What Farmers and Agribusinesses Should Know examines several federal and Illinois developments that may affect farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners, food businesses, and other members of the agricultural industry. Rincker Law attorneys Sam Ellis and Cari Brett Rincker recently reviewed major developments involving the 2026 Farm Bill, pesticide regulation, specialty crop assistance, antitrust enforcement, rural development, …
Summer Agritourism Legal Risks: What Farm Owners Should Know is an increasingly important topic for farms that welcome the public. U-pick fields, farm tours, livestock encounters, educational workshops, farm dinners, and seasonal activities can create new sources of revenue. They can also expose the operation to legal and financial risks that may not exist on a production-only farm. Before inviting …
Trademark Protection for Farms, Food Businesses, and Agricultural Brands should be considered before a business invests heavily in packaging, signs, websites, merchandise, or advertising. A farm may spend years building recognition around a name or logo, only to discover that another business has earlier rights in a similar mark. Addressing trademark issues early can help reduce the risk of an …
Starting an Agribusiness in Illinois: Legal and Business Planning Guide is an important topic for farmers, landowners, food producers, and rural entrepreneurs who want to turn an agricultural idea into a sustainable business. Whether you are launching a farm-based business, expanding an existing operation, selling value-added products, or forming a family-owned agribusiness in Central Illinois, careful legal and business planning …
Ag Law in the News: Key Federal and Illinois Agricultural Law Updates for 2026 highlights important legal and regulatory developments impacting farmers, landowners, agribusinesses, and rural communities. This article is based on a recent publication authored by Sam Ellis of Rincker Law, PLLC, with Cari B. Rincker serving as editor in the Illinois State Bar Association Agricultural Law Newsletter. Agricultural …
In this blog, “Farms, Family, and Fairness: How the Next Generation of Farm Divorces Will Shape Ag Businesses in 2026,” we explore how the intersection of family and business law is reshaping the future of agricultural operations and generational wealth. Divorce in a farm family can be one of the most complex legal events because it affects not only the …
Originally published in the Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Newsletter (October 2025 Issue). Reprinted with permission. Understanding the Rural Legal Desert Across the United States, access to justice remains an ongoing challenge in rural America. A 2025 Iowa State University study found that over half of all non-metropolitan counties now qualify as “legal deserts”—areas with fewer than one private-practice …
Many people are familiar with criminal, family, or corporate law but fewer understand what it means to practice agricultural law. During recent Q&A sessions with pre-law students at the University of Illinois, Attorney Cari Rincker explained what makes agricultural law such a unique and rewarding career path. Below we share, “From Farm Fields to Courtrooms: Understanding Agricultural Law (and Why …
Rincker Law, PLLC is delighted to celebrate Associate Attorney Regan McGuill Booth, who was recently recognized as a Featured Member in the Farm to Firm Newsletter published by the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA). This national recognition highlights Regan’s passion for agriculture, her impressive academic and professional background, and her ongoing contributions to advancing the field of agricultural law. A …
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 …
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 …