Category Archives: Agriculture Law

Bloomberg writer Josh Eidelson reported today that, “Unions representing U.S. farmworkers, many of whom are immigrants, are escalating their push for safer working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. “The United Farm Workers and Familias Unidas por la Justicia sued Washington state on Thursday, accusing regulators of failing to do enough to protect workers from exposure… Continue Reading

New York Times writer Kim Severson reported earlier this month that, “Zaid Kurdieh has so many fava beans growing at his farm in upstate New York that he could send 4,000 pounds a week to the best chefs in New York City. In Kentucky, Robert Eversole and Thomas Sargent planted enough winter greens to fill… Continue Reading

A news release on Friday from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] is ensuring that milk producers are not inappropriately penalized if their milk must be dumped because of recent market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, RMA is extending inspection deadlines, waiving inspection requirements and authorizing more crop insurance transactions… Continue Reading

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported earlier this month that, “The state of Kansas can no longer enforce its so-called ‘ag-gag’ law after a federal judge on [April 3] granted a permanent injunction. “On Jan. 22, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas, ruled the law was a violation… Continue Reading

A news release today from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine,… Continue Reading

A news release today from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] is authorizing self-certification on replant inspections and waiving witness signatures in certain situations as part of a broader suite of flexibilities to support producers during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) may allow the use of self-certification replant inspections for… Continue Reading

Bloomberg writers Gillian Tan and Katie Roof reported this week that, “Indoor farming startup Plenty Inc. is in talks to raise $100 million or more in a fresh round of funding, according to people familiar with the matter. “SoftBank’s Vision Fund is in discussions to lead a new fundraising round for Plenty at or below… Continue Reading

A news release on Friday from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. These flexibilities include: enabling producers to send notifications and reports electronically, extending the date… Continue Reading

A news release yesterday from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for establishing… Continue Reading