My phone has been ringing over the last two weeks with Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims Resolution Process claimants with incomplete or defective claims. Please note that the deadline for making the corrections has been extended to July 31, 2013. I am a private attorney listed in the Legal Assistance Network to assist claimants with this process. I …
3 Types of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Divorces
There’s a trend now with divorcing couples seeking forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). As an attorney and mediator, I always discuss all options with potential clients during the consultation. Here’s an overview: Mediation Mediation can take place at any stage during a divorce and is highly encouraged by the court. The goal of a mediator is to facilitate a …
Conversation Starters about Estate and Succession Planning for Farms
Don’t be afraid to have open and honest conversations with your family about estate and succession planning. “The only thing certain in life is death and taxes,” Ben Franklin famously said; so let us not make the topic taboo. In order for a farm or agri-business to successfully pass to the next generation (if that is what you want), …
CSA Agreements – Get Them In Writing
Although most CSA’s do not have a written contract, I highly suggest that farms have a simple CSA Agreement signed by the subscribers. Not only does it help secure payment terms, but the CSA Agreement should mitigate potential liability in the case of a food safety issue arising from the mishandling or misuse of the food product. It doesn’t have …
Some Thoughts on Bull Leases
Here are some terms to think about in your bull lease between the bull owner (the lessor) and cattlemen who will be leasing the bull (the lessee): Term: The term of the breeding season should be listed (e.g., March 1 to June 30, July 1 to September 1). Number of Bulls: Note the number of bulls leased from the lessor …
Overview of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
I’m currently conducting a blog series where each week I give an overview of the responsibilities of a government agency regulating our food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful reminder for everyone on just how complex our regulatory system really is. It’s a game of Who’s Who for government players in the U.S. food and agriculture economy. The …
Speaking at Texas Bar CLE Agriculture Law Conference on Embryo Transfer Contracts
I’m pretty excited to be present at the Texas Bar CLE’s 7th Annual John Hauffaker Agriculture Law Course on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Texas Tech University, School of Law on Embryo Transfer Contracts. It’s part of a two-day legal conference and you can view the entire schedule here. You can find my outline here.
Overview of USDA’s Rural Development Agency
I’m currently conducting a blog series where each week I give an overview of the responsibilities of a government agency regulating our food and agriculture system. I think it’s a helpful reminder for everyone on just how complex our regulatory system is. It’s a game of Who’s Who for government players in the U.S. food and agriculture economy. RD is …
Listen to My Presentation on Starting an Agriculture & Environmental Law Practice
I had an opportunity to speak last month to the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Section on the Environment, Energy and Resources (“SEER”) to the Special Committees on Young Lawyers and Law Students on how I started an agriculture law practice in New York City. You can listen to the recording here. I’m again posting the slides below. The handouts from …
Using Social Media to be an Advocate for Agriculture
I developed the below presentation for the Oneida County, New York 4-H program a few weeks ago. The below presentation includes primarily screenshots illustrating use of social media to “tell the story” of agriculture to the American consumer. It’s been a few years since I have had a “Blogroll” – the presentation notes several nice blogs from agriculture producers, including …
New York Ag Lien For Service of Stallions or Bulls
Are you owed money from the service of a stallion or bull to another horse or cattle breeder? If you’re in New York, then this post is for you. Under Section 160 of NY Lien Law, the “owner of a stallion or bull shall have a lien on each mare or cow served together with the foal or calf of …
Overview of the Farm Service Agency and its Farm Loan Programs
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 …