I spoke last month on sustainability in “Big Agriculture.” It got me thinking. What exactly is “Big Agriculture?” How do we define what is or is not “Big Ag?” And when did it become a bad name? Is it whether a farm is owned by a family or a corporation? 97% of farms are family owned. What if shareholders of …
So What Exactly is “Sustainable Agriculture?”
Sustainability has been a big buzz word in agriculture over the last few years – but what does it mean? In preparation for this presentation that I gave earlier this month, I found the “legal definition” of “sustainable agriculture” here. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 3103, “sustainable agriculture” means an “integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific …
Last Day to Register for Local Food CLE
Don’t forget that tomorrow I will be moderating a local food law CLE for the American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm (“GP Solo”) Division’s Agriculture Law Committee titled “Counseling the Local Food Movement: What a Practitioner Should Know” discussing procurement laws for local food, direct farm marketing (farmers markets, CSA’s), Food Safety Modernization Act exemptions, Cottage …
Why You Might Want To Consider Virtual Mediation Via Skype
I recently read this blog post and it made me think: why would someone prefer “virtual mediation” via Skype or some other video conferencing tool? Lots of reasons. Here are a few: 1. Travel Time/Expense. Perhaps you are a food or agriculture producer or agribusiness owner and do not live/work around New York City. Or perhaps you live in New …
Proud Business Sponsor of the Long Island Small Farm Summit
Rincker Law, PLLC is a proud “Friend of the Farmer” business sponsor for the Long Island Small Farm Summit scheduled on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Hofstra University. The event has a great agenda chalk full of valuable educational workshops ranging from business planning, direct consumer marketing, laws affecting the local food movement, and “Neighbor-Supported Agriculture.” The afternoon has practical …
Types of Farm Leases: Cash-Rent vs. Crop-Share
Happy Friday! Last week, I stumbled across Rusty Rumley’s powerpoint presentation on “Agricultural Contracts and the Leasing of Land.” Rusty does a great job giving an overview of the building blocks. He’s a great teacher — he was one of my instructors in this agriculture law course last year— and I suggest looking at his presentation along with other useful …
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, …
Ag Book Club: Farmer Jane
I recently read the book Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Food We Eat. If you have read the book and are interested in having an online discussion, please email me at cari@rinckerlaw.com. I would like to have a video conference via Skype or WebEx sometime in August. It is a fairly short book and an easy read. You can order …
Looking Back: Two-Year Blogging Anniversary
Seems like just yesterday I was driving across South Dakota with my dog Taylor before starting Rincker Law, PLLC and this blog. It’s been a great ride so far. Big thank you to my friends, family, colleagues, contract attorneys/legal assistants, clients and blog readers for all your support. It’s been a busy year indeed. Over the last year, I am …
Will Be Speaking at the 2011 NYFB Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference
I am very excited to be one of the speakers at the 2011 New York Farm Bureau (“NYFB”) Young Farmers & Ranchers (“YF&R”) Leadership Conference from March 11 to March 12 at the Holiday Inn in Syracuse/Liverpool, NY. This year’s theme is “Tradition and Technology.” I think this is a great topic as young agriculture producers and business people struggle …
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 …