I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. It’s a snowy day here in NYC. I realize that I haven’t blogged on agriculture law and policy issues for a while. I hope to blog on some food, animal and agriculture law issues very soon. Not only have I been extremely busy here in NYC with my caseload …
Lots of Upcoming Events on the Horizon. . .
I’m very excited for a busy winter with agriculture conferences and events. I love being a New Yorker and living in NYC but it is always nice to get a break from the hustle and bustle and be around others that share my passions and interests. Here are a few agriculture events coming up that I will be attending: 1. …
What is the Most Important Issue Affecting the Agriculture Industry?
When I was a child, I was fascinated with globes. I loved spinning a globe around in my parents’ livingroom searching for far away countries that I learned about in school or on television. My entire universe was in Central Illinois (with an occasional trip to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play). It was hard for me to understand …
I am Thankful
I hope all my readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I spent the holiday here in NYC. I am looking forward to visiting family in Illinois over the Christmas holiday. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be surrounded by friends and family and be reminded of all the things in life you are thankful for. It is also a nice day …
Perhaps Prenups Can Be Romantic Afterall. . .
I have wanted to write this blog for quite sometime now. I know marriage and divorce is a sensitive subject for a lot of people. I want to preface this blog by stating that I am an unmarried women so my only first-hand knowledge of marriage is by watching my parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and friends that are in …
National Agriculture Law Center’s GIPSA Workshop
The final National Agriculture Law Center‘s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (“GIPSA”) workshop on the proposed rules will be tonight in Poteau, Oklahoma, at the LeFlore County Fairgrounds from 6-9pm. For those of you who cannot make it (like myself), I highly recommend reviewing the GIPSA handout and powerpoint presentation. Both give an excellent overview the statutory authority (including …
Completed the Beef Quality Assurance Producer Certification Manual
As I noted in this blog a few months ago, I am currently completing the Beef Quality Assurance (“BQA”) training through the New York Beef Industry Council, Inc. Last weekend, I have reviewed the Producer Certification Manual for the Mid-Atlantic region (which includes Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, New Jersey and Vermont). After reviewing the materials, I …
Back from Nebraska
Happy Columbus Day! I’m back from the great state of Nebraska where I attended American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Conference. I listened in on the break-out sessions discussing Confined Animal Feeding Operations (“CAFO’s”), wind and solar farms, crop insurance, agriculture liens, and animal rights. Industry experts gave updates on a myriad of agriculture law issues including food law, environmental law, …
Heading to Nebraska for the AALA Conference
Today I am getting on an airplane from LGA and heading to Omaha, Nebraska for the American Agriculture Law Association‘s (“AALA”) 31st Annual Agriculture Law Symposium. I’m always excited to meet other food and agriculture attorneys. Nebraska is such a great agriculture state. I haven’t been to Omaha for a few years. This year’s conference has an excellent line-up: On …
NYSBA Committee on Animals and the Law: Fourth Annual Student Writing Competition
As I have previously noted in this blog, I am on the New York State Bar Association’s (“NYSBA”) Committee on Animals and the Law (“CAL”). On this Committee, I assist with the annual Student Writing Competition. For all you law students out there, the deadline for the Fourth Annual Student Writing Competition is June 30, 2011. The first place winner …
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). …
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 …