This weekend I completed New York child custody and visitation mediation training in Queens at Community Mediation Services, Inc. It was a complementary training to my divorce mediation training this winter with the New York Peace Institute. I am continually impressed by the quality of the education at our Community Dispute Resolution Centers (“CDRC”) in the state of New York. …
Fixing “Broken Windows” On Your Farm: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Last week I finished the book “Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell (admittedly, while I was laying on a beach over Memorial Day weekend). I read “Outliers” last summer and “Blink” several years go and I think Gladwell’s books make for a thought-provoking quick read. The premise of the book is about how the “little things” can make a big difference …
An Overview of State Laws Prohibiting Undercover Video Surveillance
The agriculture community has faced problems with animal welfare organizations using undercover videos that are sensationalizing alleged acts of animal cruelty on livestock operations. Larger livestock farmers using conventional production practices and concentrated animal feeding operations are at greater risk. Due to the media attention from these undercover videos, several states have developed legislation aimed to proscribe undercover video surveillance …
Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Summer is around the corner.. and ’tis the season for unpaid interns! I recently came across this helpful factsheet from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, on internship programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The factsheet clearly defines the test that is used for determining whether the “trainee” test for interns is satisfied so that …
Will be Presenting at the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit
I will be speaking at the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance (“AAA”) Stakeholders Summit next month in Washington, D.C. on livestock animal welfare law. More specifically, I will be presenting on May 3rd during the “Legal Workshop” part of the program. The title of the presentation is “When Activists Come Calling – Know Your Rights.” I will give an overview of …
Upcoming CLE on “Counseling the Local Food Movement”
As I noted in this blog, I’m very excited to announce that the American Bar Association’s (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division’s Agriculture Law Committee will be hosting a CLE webinar on Thursday, May 10, 2012 titled “Counseling the Local Food Movement: What a Practitioner Should Know.” This is a very substantive CLE that will be two hours. …
What Happens in Mediation Stays in Mediation
Because of my work on the Rule 1:40-12 Roster of Civil, General Equity and Probate Action Mediators in New Jersey (and recent mediation training in New York), I was reviewing the New Jersey Uniform Mediation Act this week. I wanted to stress something to my readers that may or may not be clear: (almost) everything that happens during mediation is …
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, …
Taking a Moment to Tout the New York Peace Institute
Each time I fly over New York City, I’m reminded how many people really live here. I’m just one little light in this big ol’ city full of millions of little lights. It’s quite beautiful to me, actually. However, when so many people live in a densely populated area, there are bound to be a few disagreements. That is where …
My Top 10 Law Blawgs in the Top 100 List (Drumroll please….)
To piggy back on this post announcing that this blog made the ABA Journal Top 100 Blawg List, I thought it would be appropriate to list a few of my favorites. Here are my top 10 (in no particular order): 1. Equine Law Blog – Alison Rowe, a fellow agriculture attorney, is an exceptional writer and brilliant equine lawyer in …
“The Times They Are A Changin'” – But Is Your Employee Handbook Keeping Up?
In the words of Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changin.’” But I wonder if farms, ranches and agri-businesses are keeping up with the changing times. I recently read Don Tyler’s article in this month’s issue of the Feedlot magazine titled “Are Activists Courting Your Employees?” Let’s face reality — livestock operations should be concerned of the possibility that animal …
The Family Business: Hiring and Firing Family Members
I really enjoyed reading the article by Don Tyler titled “Working with Family — Hiring (and Firing) Family Members in this month’s Feedlot magazine (pages 36, 38). It reminded me of the unique challenges that family businesses must face — whether it is a family farm/ranch or any other type of business. Intra-family dynamics can seriously affect the day-to-day operations …