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 …
Overview of Common Types of Insurance for Farms and Food Entrepreneurs
There are many different kinds of insurance that farms, agri-business and food entrepreneurs should consider. The most common types of insurance for food and agriculture operations are as follows: 1. Farmers Comprehensive Personal Liability (“FCPL”) Policy (a/k/a farmowner’s insurance): Most farms use a farmowner’s insurance policy to cover the ordinary risks of a farming operation. This type of policy normally …
My Presentation on “Getting Paid” at the American Agriculture Law Association Annual Meeting
Had a great time at the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Annual Meeting this past week. I moderated a roundtable discussion on “Getting Paid: Billing and Collection Strategies for the Food and Agriculture Lawyer.” My presentation has none of the answers – only the questions! However, I did provide a substantive outline for the attendees that is located here. The …
Choice of Business Entity Blog Series: The Sole Proprietorship
I am oftentimes asked about the best choice of business entity for a farm/ranch, agri-business or food entrepreneur. There is no one-size fits all answer to that question as each type of business entity offers different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to pick the right business entity for your specific type of enterprise – the answer to that question may …
Wanna Let Food & Ag Lawyers Know What You *Really* Think? Now Is Your Chance…
I am moderating a roundtable discussion at the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) annual meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 20-21, 2014 on billing strategies. I want to hear from farmers, ranchers, agri-business owners, and food entrepreneurs about your experiences with food and agriculture lawyers, especially those pesky bills! I developed a short survey on the topic – your …
Partnerships – A Common Entity Choice for Food and Agriculture Operations
At one point or another, most food and agriculture operations form a partnership with another person or entity. Perhaps it is a partnership on a single head of livestock (e.g., stallion, bull, boar, show heifer) or perhaps it is a more long-term partnership where profits and losses will be shared among family members or multiple people and entities. Partnerships can happen …
Attending American Agri-Women Convention
I’m blogging today from my iPad at the American Agri-Women Convention in Niagara Falls. As I type this, I am listing to Tami Forero speak on “How to Build the Business that Creates the Life You Want.” She is speaking later this afternoon on “Delegating: A Guide to Higher Profits for Control Freaks” (fun title). It’s always inspiring to be …
Free CLE: Counseling the Local Food Movement (Part One)
I gave this presentation to Lawline last Thursday. It was the first part of a two part series on “Counseling the Local Food Movement.” I discussed the history of direct farm marketing, current trends, cottage food operations (i.e., home based food processing), liability and insurance. You can listen to my presentation and get a FREE CLE by clicking here. …
Book Release Party at Rincker Law
I’ll be hosting a book release party on September 30, 2013 from 4:30 to 7:30pm at my law office. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP here or shoot me an email. You can now buy your own copy of the book on Amazon.com. I will be going on a “book tour” soon throughout New York State. If you would …
In Case You Missed It: Food Labeling Webinar
Last May, I had to pleasure to moderate a Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) webinar for the American Bar Association (“ABA”) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division’s (“GP Solo”) Agriculture Law Committee on food labeling issues for farmers, food entrepreneurs and restaurants. If you missed the live webinar, you can purchase the recording here. Furthermore, don’t forget that the GP …