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. …
Try To Have *That* Conversation With Your Family This Holiday Season
You know the conservation that I am referring to– the one about estate and succession planning. The conversation when you talk about all the What If’s. Try to have that conversation this holiday season. I know it might be an uncomfortable topic to bring up while you are “roasting chestnuts on the open fire” or drinking eggnog while watching Charlie …
Animal Law News
I was reviewing the November Update from the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) Committee on Animals and the Law today and thought there were a few posts that I wanted to mention. 1. This article illustrates some cases in New York that would fall under felony animal cruelty (a.k.a. “Buster’s Law”). 2. Though I do not recommend that people …
New York State Agriculture Mediation Program
Lawsuits are not the only way to solve legal disputes. I recommend that folks in the agriculture industry first consider alternative forms of dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. The New York State Agricultural Mediation Program (“NYSAMP”) gives folks a cheaper alternative to litigation. NYSAMP offers mediations throughout the state at the Community Dispute Resolution Center (“CDRC”) at either a free or a very …
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). …
When is the Last Time You Visited the National Agricultural Law Center’s Website?
Last week I recieved this tweet from @NateJaeger, the Director of the Beef, Equine, and Hay & Forage Commodities at the Alabama Farmers Federation: Hey @CariRincker why haven’t you told us about this b4 http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org. It’s awesome. I responded to @NateJaeger indicating that the National Agricultural Law Center was a fantastic resource for people and agribusinesses in nearly every segment of …
Spring Cleaning: Living Wills
Hopefully all of you timely filed your tax returns by April 15th. As I noted in this blog, I think a review of your estate plan is a great thing to do each year after tax season to help establish an annual routine. A few weeks ago I gave a general overview of health proxies. When you are reviewing your documents this spring …
When Is The Last Time You Reviewed Your Estate Plan?
I read a great article in the Agriculture Law Update from the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) by Kevin Alerding, Esq., a Partner at Ice Miller, LLP in Indianapolis, Indiana, about reviewing estate plans. Alerding recommends that folks review their estate plan once a year. I think this is good advice so it becomes part of your regular routine. Perhaps after you …
New York Animal Law Webcast Available Online
As some of my readers might recall, I am on the Committee on Animal Law (“CAL”) for the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”). The webcast from the CAL annual meeting is now available online. If an attorney would like to recieve MCLE credit, NYSBA members can pay $75 and nonmembers can pay $125. There are also materials available for download online from …
Catching Up on My Simmental Reading– Succession Planning
For those of you that know me personally, you know that I am a big supporter of the Simmental cattle industry. It’s the breed of cattle that my family raises and grew to love the breed throughout my childhood. I also spent some time in Bozeman, Montana interning at the association’s headquarters. Last night, I was catching up on reading the latest …
Dates For Your Calendar
Winter is always jammed packed with agriculture conferences and livestock events. I wish that I was in Seattle right now for the American Farm Bureau Federation (“AFBF”) annual meeting. I’m still debating whether I will be heading to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado next week for the Simmental Show. It’s my favorite cattle show (and this blog made …
Some Suggestions for Your New Year’s Resolutions
Here we are. Last day of 2009. I cannot believe how fast this year has gone. I started 2009 in Cheyenne, Wyoming and ended it in New York City at Rincker Law, PLLC. I am extremely grateful for my friends and family who have been supportive along the way. It’s snowing outside here in NYC today — nothing better than …