The scope of the revised Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”) Article 9 is newly expanded to cover the perfection, priority, and enforcement of nonpossessory “Agricultural Liens” in the farm products of those borrowers involved in farming operations. The definition of “agricultural liens” is different than the broader and more general category of “secured interest”. UCC Article 9 does not supersede any existing statutory …
How to Make a Freedom of Information Act Request- Part 6
This is Part 6 of a 6 Part Blog Series on “How to Make a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) Request“. Make sure to read the previous 5 blog posts to get the full picture! Step 6: Review FOIA Request After the agency has received your fees, it will process your request. The agency may send you a written “initial determination” …
Transcript from Keynote Presentation and Direct Farm Marketing Roundtable
Last fall, I had the pleasure of giving the Keynote address at the University of Tennessee College of Law’s Agriculture Law & Policy Symposium. My presentation from my “National Agriculture Law Update” is found here. I was also on a roundtable discussing direct farm marketing. The presentation materials are found here. Recently, the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy published …
Recording Available for Food & Ag Law Insurance CLE
One of the most common questions that I get from food and farm clients has to do with insurance. It affects every kind of business (including law practices!). It’s important for food and agriculture lawyers to have a cursory understanding on the breadth of issues that can arise with insurance in dealing with food and agriculture clients. Because of this, …
Interested in Learning More About Insurance for Farms, Ranches, Agri-Businesses and Food Entrepreneurs?
I moderated a webinar for the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) General Practice Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee on insurance for the farmer, rancher, agri-business or food entrepreneur. The recording is available for purchase here. This is a substantive CLE program covering many types of insurance including, but not limited to, Farmowners’ Comprehensive Liability Program (“FCLP”), commercial insurance, …
Register for the Upcoming Food/Ag Insurance Webinar for ABA
I will be moderating a CLE for the American Bar Association, General Practice Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee on September 15, 2015 at 2pm ET (1pm CT) titled “Counseling Farmers & Ranchers, Agri-Businesses and Food Entrepreneurs on Insurance.” Faculty members include Theodore A Feitshans, Mike Kelly, Maggy Gregory, Javan Grant and Rachel Armstrong. You can register for …
Save the Date: Upcoming Ag Law Webinar on Insurance
I will be moderating a webinar titled, “Counseling Farmers & Ranchers, Agri-Businesses and Food Entrepreneurs on Insurance” on September 15, 2015 at 2pm ET (1pm CT) for the American Bar Association (“ABA”), General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee. Faculty members include Dominick Sekich, Mike Kelly, Maggy Gregory, Javan Grant and Rachel Armstrong. Faculty will give an …
Organic Growth for your Food & Agri-Business- Using Business Entities as a Risk Management Tool
I’ll be speaking this Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (“NOFA”) of New York’s Annual Meeting in Saratoga Falls. My presentation is titled “Getting Prepared for Organic Growth: Using Business Entities as a Risk Management Tool.” My presentation will give an overview of the different choices of business entities, including sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships, …
Stocker Cattle Contracts
There are several issues to consider when a cattle producer hires a stocker feeder after the progeny are weaned. Besides the payment terms and term, example issues include the following: 1. Feed and nutrition (including pasture quality and supplemental vitamins and nutrients); 2. Animal health (including vaccinations, veterinary care, deworming for internal parasites); and, 3. Control of pests (e.g., insecticides, …
North Carolina Farm & Food Law CLE – Contracts
I am excited to participate in the North Carolina Farm and Food Law CLE on October 17, 2013 at the North Carolina Bar Center in Cary, North Carolina. I will be giving an “Overview of Common Agriculture Contracts in North Carolina” including agriculture production contacts, custom feeding arrangements, farm leases, farm machinery agreements, and partnership agreements for farms and food …