As noted a few weeks ago, I’m currently doing a blog series on government agencies affecting our nation’s food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful exercise to know who the players are and what each agency is does. The Farm Service Agency (“FSA”) reports to the Under Secretary of the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (“FFAS”) of the …
Overview of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (“NRCS”) is another sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). NRCS was established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It administers conservation programs to help preserve our natural resources and environment. It manages several national centers including but not limited to the (1) National Soil Survey Center, (2) National Water and Climate Center, …
Mediator for the New York State Agriculture Mediation Program (NYSAMP)
Since completing the mediation apprenticeship program with the New York Peace Institute, my Community Dispute Resolution Center (“CDRC”) in Manhattan and Brooklyn, I have been admitted to the roster of mediators for the New York State Agriculture Mediation Program (“NYSAMP”). NYSAMP works with the CDRC’s in each country throughout New York to provide free mediation services for the New York …
New Jersey Agriculture Mediation Roster
I am very happy to announce that I was recently added to the mediation roster with the New Jersey State Agriculture Development Committee (“SADC”). The mediation is free for agriculture producers. The program hears Right to Farm and other U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) disputes (e.g., agriculture credit, conservation programs). You can find more information about the program here. The …
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 …
To ACRE or Not to ACRE?
Pursuant to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) (the “2008 Farm Bill”), crop farmers around the county have the option to participate in the Average Crop Revenue Election (“ACRE”) Program or stay with the traditional Direct and Counter-Cyclical (“DCP”) Program. The deadline to elect into the ACRE Program in quickly approaching. Farmers who wish to elect …
Rincker Law is now on Twitter
Rincker Law has entered Twitterland! You can follow @RinckerLaw here. Twitter is newly popular form of micro-blogging and is different than traditional blogs because users are restricted to 140 characters (similar to a text message). Twitter is a very different than facebook and is a great way to get a condensed version of news and participate in discussions with those …