For the third year in a row, I have been appointed as the Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice Solo & Small Firm Division’s (“GP Solo”) Agriculture Law Committee. We have put on 4 great Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) webinars over the last two years including: crop/livestock insurance, local food law, labor/employment law, and food labeling. We …
What do Farmers and Agri-Businesses Have to Say About Ag Lawyers?
Last month I conducted a survey for farmers, agribusinesses and food entrepreneurs about agriculture lawyers. The results were used in this presentation that I gave in Ohio on getting and keeping agriculture clients. This article on my JD Supra page offers a summary of the survey and my $0.02 on what it means for agriculture lawyers.
Great Info for Other Ag Lawyers – Survey Results!
A few weekends ago, I asked my blog, Facebook and Twitter followers to take a very short survey on their use of lawyers. In only 36 hours, I got some great results. I used it for the presentation below that I gave at the Ohio Agriculture Law Symposium. A more in-depth survey could be of great use to the agriculture …
Speaking at the Ohio Agriculture Law Symposium
I’m super excited to be heading back to the Midwest in June – I will be presenting at the Ohio Agriculture Law Symposium June 23-24, 2013 at Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, Ohio. On Sunday, June 23, 2013, I will be discussing “Strategies for Developing and Retaining Farm and Agri-Business Clients” along with the great Allen Olson from the Law …
How to Get LinkedIn– Social Media Guide for Beef Producers
With efforts spearheaded by Jena Swanson, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (“NCBA”) Young Producer’s Council (“YPC”) has authored another social media guide for young beef producers concentrating on LinkedIn. Other authors of the guide include myself, Jesse Bussard, Brandi Buzzard and Katy Starr. This particular guide can be helpful for folks in other segments in the agriculture industry as well …
Does Your Farm or Agri-Business Need a “Power Audit?”
I really love Neil Harl’s book titled “Farm Estate & Business Planning.” He briefly talks about the “power issue” when it comes to farm families and warns folks to consider this issue when formulating an estate plan. He illustrates this point with the following example: “An aggressive, able farmer died unexpectedly just days short of his 50th birthday. The business, …
NBI Webinar: Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
The National Business Institute (“NBI”) will be having a substantive webinar on October 3, 2012 from 11:00am to 6:00pm ET (that’s no typo – it’s a 7 hour webinar…). It’s a little pricey for a webinar but if you are interested in this topic (like me) then I think it’ll be worthwhile. Topics for the webinar include the following: (1) …
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 …
Does Your Farm or Agri-Business Need To File a Certificate of Assumed Name?
Many farms and agribusinesses operate as a DBA (“doing business as”) or an “assumed name.” Many businesses in the state of New York, including those involved in the food and agriculture industry, are not properly registered. Pursuant to Section 130 of the NY General Business Law, no person or entity can “(i) carry on or conduct or transact business in …
Giving New Life to the Term “Spring Cleaning” – Does Your Farm or AgriBusiness Have a Scanner?
I have to give a shout-out to a small little machine that has made a big difference to my life and law practice — the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500M. In preparation of my move to my new office space at 535 Fifth Avenue, I spent the weekend scanning files and documents. I purchased this Bad Boy a few months ago and …
Will Be Attending the Second Annual New York Agri-Women Meeting & Agri-Tour
I am especially excited for the Second Annual Meeting & Agri-Tour of New York Agri-Women around the corner. Please check out itinerary for the Annual Meeting here and the agri-tour schedule in the Hudson Valley here. You can register for both events by competing this form and sending it my way. You can find directions to the Hyatt in Riverhead, …