Legal Resources Available in
Mid-Atlantic
Paul Goeringer,
Extension Legal Specialist
Wednesday Webinar Mid-Atlantic
WIA
Jan. 13, 2016
Agriculture Law
Education Initiative
The Agriculture Law Education Initiative is a collaboration
between the University of Maryland Francis King Carey
School of Law and College of Agriculture & Natural
Resources, University of Maryland, College Park. Through
the University of Maryland Extension - the statewide,
non-formal agriculture education system - the
collaboration partners with the School of Agricultural and
Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Website: www.umaglaw.org
Twitter: @MdAgLaw
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MdAgLaw
Email: umaglaw@umd.edu
University of Maryland
MPower
The University of Maryland: MPowering the State brings
together two universities of distinction to form a new
collaborative partnership. Harnessing the resources of
each, the University of Maryland, College Park and the
University of Maryland, Baltimore will focus the collective
expertise on critical statewide issues of public health,
biomedical informatics, and bioengineering. This
collaboration will drive an even greater impact on the
state, its economy, the job market, and the next
generation of innovators. The joint initiatives will have a
profound effect on productivity, the economy, and the
very fabric of higher education.
• http://www.mpowermaryland.com
Disclaimer
This presentation is intended to provide general
information and should not be construed as providing legal
advice. It should not be cited or relied upon as legal
authority. State laws vary and any attempt made to discuss
laws of states other than Maryland is for general
information to help the viewer better understand Maryland
law. For advice about how these issues might apply to your
individual situation, consult an attorney.
Introduction
• In 2012, the Maryland General
Assembly directed the
University System of Maryland
“to leverage State resources to
assist farmers in the State with
estates and trusts issues,
compliance with
environmental laws, and other
matters necessary to preserve
family farms.”
• Three institutions formed the
Agriculture Law Education
Initiative (ALEI) to address the
legal educational needs of
Maryland farm families.
Introduction
• ALEI started work in January, 2013.
• Since then have developed:
– Publications (17 publications and growing)
– Website
– Videos
– Webinars
– Social Media
Roadmap
• What we will be
covering today:
– ALEI Members
– Resources Available with
ALEI
– Other legal resources
available
ALEI MEMBERS
Paul’s Background
• Education:
– B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma
State
– J.D. from University of Oklahoma
– M.S. in Agricultural Economics and LL.M in
Agricultural Law from University of Arkansas
• Licensed in Oklahoma to practice law since
2007
Ashley’s Background
• Grew up on dairy in
Arizona
• Education:
– BS from Arizona State
– JD from Texas Tech
– LLM in Ag and Food Law
from University of
Arkansas
Ashley’s Background
• Works out of AREC also
• Joined in May, 2014
• Areas specializing in:
– water (quality and
quantity),
– farm protection laws,
– property law,
– general agriculture issues
Sarah’s Background
• Grew up in Delaware
• Education:
– BA from Washington
College
– JD from Pace School of
Law
Sarah’s Background
• In private practice since
2005 in Maryland
– Past few years in practice in
Easton MD.
• Legal Specialist with Carey
School of Law, joined in Dec.
2014.
• Areas of expertise:
–
–
–
–
land use,
estate planning,
land preservation,
general agriculture law
Wele’s Background
• Legal specialist with
UMES, joined ALEI in
2014.
• Areas of expertise:
– international agriculture
law,
– general agriculture law,
– liability issues,
– farmer’s rights (human
rights law),
– food safety
Mayhah Roma Suri
Mayhah Roma Suri is a research associate with the
Agriculture Law Education Initiative.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental
Science and Policy from University of Maryland.
Her interest is in the role agricultural practices can
play in enhancing environmental protection.
She has previously worked at Maryland
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and a variety of
environmentally-focused organizations in the
Washington, D.C. area.
Contact:
2200 Symons Hall
msuri1@umd.edu
301-405-9576
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Website umaglaw.org
Publications Available
• Understanding Ag Liability
Series:
Premise Liability
Livestock Liability
Fencing Liability
Maryland’s Right-to-Farm
Law
– Legal Risk Management
Considerations
–
–
–
–
• Ag Labor
– General overview
– Migrant and Seasonal
workers
Pubs Available
• Estate Planning series
– Overview
– Conservation Easements
and Estate Planning
– Conservation Easements
and Capital Gains Taxes
• Novel areas:
– Microbreweries
– Privacy Issues with UAVs
(drones)
Pubs Available
• Agricultural Leasing
• Government Entering
Your Property
• Business Organization
Overview
• Seed Saving
Publications Being Developed
• Overview of new food
safety regulations
• Water law
• Pesticide Drift Liability
• Defenses to Negligence
ANY OTHER IDEAS? LET US KNOW
Sample Forms Available
• Sample farm leases
available:
http://extension.umd.edu/grai
nmarketing/lease-agreements
• Sample Community
Supported Agriculture
Membership Agreement:
https://www.extension.umd.e
du/aglaw/publications/commu
nity-supported-agriculturecsa-publications
Sample Forms Available
• Sample Liability
Checklist and Waiver
• Sample Poultry House
Lease Form
VIDEOS
Videos
• Provide quick over variety
of legal topics.
• Cover leasing, liability,
labor, water law,
agritourism, business
organizations, etc.
• Can find under videos tab
or at
http://vimeo.com/umaglaw
WEBINARS
Webinars
• In 2015, began offering webinars covering hot
legal topics (estate planning, labor, food safety,
and environmental law issues)
• Webinars are recorded and also available on
https://vimeo.com/umaglaw.
• If you would like to join our mailing list to learn of
upcoming webinars email me at
lgoering@umd.edu
Upcoming Webinars
• Farm data ownership
issues on March 3
speakers include:
– Terry Griffin of K-State
– Shannon Ferrell of
Oklahoma State
– Ashley Ellixson
• April 4 – Right-to-Farm
Update Webinar
INFOLINE
Infoline
• Call in service to direct you
towards legal resources.
Answered by Sara, but we
all help with it.
• We can’t provide legal
advice, but if you need legal
help can direct you towards
attorneys in your area.
• 410-706-7377
Risk Management Education
Blog aglaw.umd.edu
• Sponsored by AREC,
Crop Insurance Ed
Program, and ALEI
• Cover legal issues, crop
insurance, and farm bill
issues on the site
• Sign up for updates
NEED AN ATTORNEY?
Need an Attorney?
• Maryland State Bar Association has formed a
Section on Agriculture Law. Currently has
200+ members.
• Legal directory is available online at
http://go.umd.edu/LegalDirectory
OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES
AVAILABLE
Other Legal Resources
• Center for Agricultural
and Shale Law at Penn
State University
• Good resource on legal
issues impacting Bay and
shale gas production.
• http://go.umd.edu/PSUA
gLaw
Other Legal Resources
• Ohio State University’s
Ag Law & Taxation
Program
• http://aglaw.osu.edu/
Other Legal Resources
• National Ag Law Center
• http://nationalaglawcen
ter.org/
Other Legal Resources
• Vermont’s Center for Ag
and Food Systems
– http://www.vermontlaw.
edu/academics/centersand-programs/centerfor-agriculture-and-foodsystems
Other Legal Resources
• Farm Commons
– Nonprofit
– Free resources
– Free webinars
• Blogs
– Texas Ag Law Blog – by A&M AgriLife Extension.
http://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/
WRAP UP
Wrap Up
• University of Maryland has a lot of resources
available that are ever expanding
• Don’t see something, email
umaglaw@umd.edu
• Nationally, lots of other resources are
available to you as well.
Thank You
Phone: 301-405-3541
Email:
lgoering@umd.edu
Website:
www.extension.umd.edu/aglaw
Twitter: @aglawPaul
SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/author=1948372