Podcasts about farm commons

In this episode of the Regeneration Rising podcast, host Taylor Muglia dives into regenerative agriculture experiences and intricacies of farm law with Eva Caison, education program director at Farm Commons. The episode covers a breadth of topics, from Eva's journey into agriculture, her educational background, and practical farm experience, to the pivotal lessons she learned while running her own farm. We explore the invaluable work of Farm Commons and Eva shares insights about a new innovative coaching program designed to offer one-on-one support to producers. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge, personal anecdotes, and practical advice aimed at empowering new and seasoned farmers alike.

Six candidates are working to become the 78th Alice in Dairyland. That also signals the final phase of service for Halei Heinzel, our current "Alice." She visits with Stephanie Hoff about the learning journey the six will experience leading up to the May finale in Crawford County. The top candidates are: Allison Foster, Waupun, Michelle Stangler, Watertown, Mikalya Flyte, Coloma, Natalie Roe, Monticello, Olivia Lulich from Lyndon Station, and Sarah Hagenow from Poynette. Hosting the Alice in Dairyland finals is a big deal for a county. It brings statewide news coverage and drives local interest in the county’s agribusiness industry. Carol Roth is co-chairing the Crawford County Alice in Dairyland Finals Committee, the host this year. She says she applied for Crawford County to host the Alice program as a strategic way to bring attention to the county’s agribusiness sector. She says it's about time they showed off all they have to offer! After all, Crawford County has had three Alice in Dairylands in its history. Another beautiful day on the way for Wisconsin with temperatures in the mid 50's according to Stu Muck.Steffes Auction is back in the heat of the moment with active auctions before spring planting begins. Ashley Huhn with the Steffes Group tells Pam Jahnke that they're also offering financing options for buyers in 2025. It's a new service that they've found helpful as farmers face more difficult economics this year. Paid for by the Steffes Group.Today's the beginning of the Professional Dairy Producers annual business conference. Shelly Mayer, executive director of the group, says the scope of information they'll be sharing covers the gamut for any dairy regardless of size. Francisco Arriaga, UW extension specialist on soils and environmental studies says that farmers would be wise to fight the urge that the warmer weather may inspire. He says there's a lot to lose if you start field work too early. We're hearing stories daily about the federal funding freeze impacting USDA contracts. What can farmers and non-profits do if they're caught holding a binding contract with the federal government, that the federal government no longer wishes to honor. Pam Jahnke visits with Rachel Armstrong, attorney with Farm Commons, about mechanisms in place to try and help document and mitigate the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Armstrong, attorney and founder of Farm Commons, is busy handling a lot of questions from farmers about federal funding freezes. What can you do if you're holding a signed, binding, government contract that the government has decided not to honor? Is there recourse? Is there a penalty if I don't go forward with a project given the unknown circumstances? Armstrong answers them all with Pam Jahnke, and reminds farmers and non-profits that the terrain is always changing and so are the rules. More sunshine today as the weather pattern around Wisconsin starts to change. Stu Muck says that by Friday, a cooler, wetter pattern will start coming our way. The Professional Dairy Producers annual business conference always packs a lot in for a two day conference. With the major focus on tariff's PDP welcomed in dairy guests from the Netherlands, France and Ireland. Ben Jarboe finds out how this tariff talk and sustainability goals demanded by the EU are changing a dairy's strategy in Ireland. David Hyland, Irish dairy farmer from the outskirts of the village of Clough beside Ballacolla in Co Laois, says that he thinks the EU's time estimates for making some of these environmental goals happen is unattainable. Skelly's Farm Market in Janesville has been named the 2025 Governor's Innovation Tourism Award winners. Skelly's has embraced technology since they started designing corn mazes in 1998. Today they continue to embrace technology with a smartphone app that turns a corn maze stroll into a video-like game challenge. Despite tariff talk swirling in the market, dairy is gaining. Why? Is there something about to happen? Pam Jahnke talks to Matt Tranel, dairy risk specialist with EverAg during the PDP annual meeting. Tranel says that the U.S. has continued a fairly steady dairy movement just waiting for tariffs to become more clearly focused.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers and organizations across the country are feeling uncertain about government contracts tied to USDA programs like EQIP, CSP, and REAP. With funding frozen and contract decisions unclear, producers are left wondering what to do next. "We've been getting a lot of questions from farmers who already started projects or hired contractors," said Rachel Armstrong, Executive Director and Attorney with Farm Commons. "Many are worried they won’t get reimbursed as promised." Farm Commons is working to help farmers understand their legal options. Armstrong emphasized that communication is key. "The first step is to call your USDA contact and ask for an update," she advised. "It's important to document that conversation." For more information and access to legal resources, visit Farm Commons' website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Maynard is a cooperative development specialist at the university of Wisconsin center for cooperative development and we're going to get into some practical advice and tools you can use when thinking about going into cooperative farming, yourself, or yourselves, as it were. This is the second coop development person, or forth depending on how you define that role, I've had on this season to, if nothing else, drive the point home that there are people out there who's life work it is support the development of your “working together” ideas. Not only do you not have to farm alone, you don't have to build cooperative systems alone. Mentioned in the show... Farm Commons resource on FSA farm ownership loans Farm Commons and UWCC toolkit on sharing labor Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making UWCC recorded webinars, see Tools for an Effective Board and Decision-Making Tools for the Board Room Folks who support Collab Farm Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is your one-stop shop for cover crops, soil amendments, tools, and more. Save 20% on your first order now with code: NOTILL24. Apply for a commercial account for year-round savings and dedicated support! Visit Groworganic.com/notill ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) will offer the Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, February 22, in Asheville, North Carolina. Find out more at asapconnections.org Farmhand enables you to offload your administrative tasks, send and manage communications, and sell more to your customers. Learn more and book a free test drive at farmhand.partners/notill High Mowing Organic Seeds has the professional quality seeds and supportive grower reps to get you from seed to harvest. Visit highmowingseeds.com to request a catalog and use code NOTILL25 for 10% off your order of $100 or more!

Kelly Maynard is a cooperative development specialist at the university of Wisconsin center for cooperative development and we're going to get into some practical advice and tools you can use when thinking about going into cooperative farming, yourself, or yourselves, as it were. This is the second coop development person, or forth depending on how you define that role, I've had on this season to, if nothing else, drive the point home that there are people out there who's life work it is support the development of your “working together” ideas. Not only do you not have to farm alone, you don't have to build cooperative systems alone. Mentioned in the show... Farm Commons resource on FSA farm ownership loans Farm Commons and UWCC toolkit on sharing labor Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making UWCC recorded webinars, see Tools for an Effective Board and Decision-Making Tools for the Board Room Folks who support Collab Farm Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is your one-stop shop for cover crops, soil amendments, tools, and more. Save 20% on your first order now with code: NOTILL24. Apply for a commercial account for year-round savings and dedicated support! Visit Groworganic.com/notill ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) will offer the Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, February 22, in Asheville, North Carolina. Find out more at asapconnections.org Farmhand enables you to offload your administrative tasks, send and manage communications, and sell more to your customers. Learn more and book a free test drive at farmhand.partners/notill High Mowing Organic Seeds has the professional quality seeds and supportive grower reps to get you from seed to harvest. Visit highmowingseeds.com to request a catalog and use code NOTILL25 for 10% off your order of $100 or more!

 Ian McSweeney & Kristina Villa, co-directors of The Farmers Land Trust, are responsible for creating and supporting farmland commons, a vehicle for preserving farmland and ensuring its dedication to regenerative agriculture in perpetuity while respecting both the farmers and the communities they feed. I mean, what's better than that? If you like what you hear, are a farmer or a landholder, and want to know more, you can reach out to them at the thefarmerslandtrust.org   Folks who support Collab Farm Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is your one-stop shop for cover crops, soil amendments, tools, and more. Save 20% on your first order now with code: NOTILL24. Apply for a commercial account for year-round savings and dedicated support! Visit Groworganic.com/notill Harnois Greenhouses are engineered to face any North American climate, ensuring unparalleled brightness, agronomic performance, faster return on investment and lasting durability. Harnois Greenhouses, a leader in turnkey solutions for local growers. The OSC Pack Pact is a collective action campaign that works to reduce single-use packaging in the natural products industry. Receive a discount code to shop select products from leading natural products brands that you love. Click the link in the show notes to join the Pack Pact!

 Ian McSweeney & Kristina Villa, co-directors of The Farmers Land Trust, are responsible for creating and supporting farmland commons, a vehicle for preserving farmland and ensuring its dedication to regenerative agriculture in perpetuity while respecting both the farmers and the communities they feed. I mean, what's better than that? If you like what you hear, are a farmer or a landholder, and want to know more, you can reach out to them at the thefarmerslandtrust.org   Folks who support Collab Farm Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is your one-stop shop for cover crops, soil amendments, tools, and more. Save 20% on your first order now with code: NOTILL24. Apply for a commercial account for year-round savings and dedicated support! Visit Groworganic.com/notill Harnois Greenhouses are engineered to face any North American climate, ensuring unparalleled brightness, agronomic performance, faster return on investment and lasting durability. Harnois Greenhouses, a leader in turnkey solutions for local growers. The OSC Pack Pact is a collective action campaign that works to reduce single-use packaging in the natural products industry. Receive a discount code to shop select products from leading natural products brands that you love. Click the link in the show notes to join the Pack Pact!

Lindsay Klaunig (she/her) is the farmer and owner of Trouvaille Farm in Athens, Ohio. She raises grass-fed beef and goats on pasture, heirloom crops on the ridge tops, and makes artisan chocolate and other treats in their farm kitchen. She is also a seed producer, growing heirloom vegetable seeds that are sold through small regional seed companies. Previously, Lindsay worked as a specialty cheesemaker on a small-scale dairy farm in the early days of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). It was during this time that Lindsay experienced a federal site inspection.In this episode, Lindsay is interviewed by her longtime friend Isabel. The two discuss how food safety enforcement has changed over the years, specifically describing what the situation was like before FSMA and how FSMA changed things in many ways for the better. Lindsay opens up about the FDA audit that she went through, sharing powerful tips for balancing out the power dynamic with regulators and offering wise insights about how and why communication and relationship building have been critical to her resilience.As Linday says to Isabel, “growing food is the most important thing you could do for a living, but if you're paying attention you'll also see that it's fraught, it's risky, and opens you up to a world of divisive opinions, clashes in values, and constantly changing rules and changing guidance from the regulators…” and yet she keeps choosing to do it, as perhaps you keeping choosing to do as well. You will walk away from this episode with a refreshed perspective on food safety risk management, and a healthy reminder that your risk tolerance evolves right along with you.Farm Commons is grateful to have collaborated with Lindsay as a member of the 2023 Collaborative Learning Fellowship.A full transcript of the episode will be available soon.

Iriel Edwards (she/her) is a seed farmer and owner of Dancing Radicle Farm in Alexandria, Louisiana. Her passions for seeding justice in our food system and dismantling private property feed her excitement for cooperative ownership as it relates to assets like equipment and land.In this episode, Iriel speaks with her peer Lilli Voorhies of Bumble Prairie Farm, and the two explore what it means to set up what Iriel calls “safe collaboration” between separate farm businesses. Throughout their conversation, they probe the themes of cooperative decision-making, sharing values and holding differences, and important discussions for scaling seed processing operations. If you are a seed producer, you'll gain insights into considerations for scaling a seed operation as well as an insider's look into Louisiana's growing seed supply chain. If you're not a seed producer but you're farming with others, you'll find encouragement from Iriel and Lilli to have more discussions about your needs and goals for the collaboration because, as Iriel quotes, “Sharing values with your customers is different from sharing values with your farming partner,” which is why talking things through, particularly areas of potential tension or conflict, is key to resilience.Farm Commons is grateful to have collaborated with Iriel as a member of the2023 Collaborative Learning Fellowship.A full transcript of the episode will be available soon.

Sagan Gray (they/them) is a co-owner of Bramblenook Farm, a small vegetable production farm located in Scituate, Rhode Island on the unceded lands of the Narragansett, Pokanoket, and Wampanoag people. Their farm business has been in operation since 2019, and started fresh on collectively purchased land in 2022. In this episode, they share an honest picture of the underlying power dynamics of collective land ownership, as well as navigating legal barriers as a transgender person trying to move forward with a general distrust of these systems. Sagan's wisdom is a catalyst of inspiration for how the paperwork process of creating an LLC, including the Articles of Incorporation and operating agreement, provide structure when delving into the shared values of a business. They will inspire you to begin asking the questions of importance to you in your business partnerships, and to begin resourcing for local support to get the assistance you need.Farm Commons is grateful to have worked with Sagan as a member of the 2023 Collaborative Learning Fellowship.Find a transcript of this episode hereHere's what Sagan had to say about their experience sharing their story of legal resilience:In sharing your farm resilience story, what are you most grateful for from that experience?Taking the time to craft something to be disseminated or shared really pushed me to consider what I thought was worth sharing, to lean into believing that elements of my story would be worth sharing. I am grateful to have come into a new awareness of what some of those truths are for me. Farming requires such a breadth and depth of knowledge, and there is always so much I don't know! This often makes me overlook what I have learned or disregard what I might have to share. This was a great push and reminder to appreciate my own wisdom.Did you encounter any challenges in sharing your story? What was that like?Yes, it was hard to decide how vulnerable to be: what feels safe vs what feels comfortable; how much to share when it might impact others I live and work with; was my hesitation rooted in fear that I might overcome or that I should mind? Acknowledging the fears and insecurities that often hinder me from sharing in the first place was a necessary and helpful step in gathering my thoughts and sharing my story.What did the storytelling journey illuminate for you? What are you seeing differently as a result of this experience? My approach to risk management really has shifted. The Collaborative Learning Fellowship gave me the confidence and motivation that I needed to guide our collective group through our own risk management process. We are still in the midst of it, but it would not be happening at all yet without my experiences from the fellowship.What is your hope for folks who hear your story?I hope it offers an extra nudge of encouragement to prioritize their own safety and protection amidst our challenging and discriminatory systems. Having the courage to approach a process that you don't understand and you know wasn't built for you to take what you can repurpose it is hard work, and I just hope this offers a little motivation for folks in a similar mindset.What tool(s) or resource (s) have been key to your sense of resilience?Access to professional support: a decent insurance agent, a tax preparer, a lawyer, templates to work off of. Financial support to cover professional expenses. Collective support - having friends, family, and community in this process with me and making time for joy and celebration. Alone time to recharge and recenter. Sanctuary from the chaos of the world. A sense of purpose.

Finding the right legal structure for your farm can be overwhelming. From liability and taxation to overall sustainability. It's not a one-size fits all approach.  “While sole proprietorships and partnerships offer simplicity, they also come with inherent risks, as personal assets are exposed to business liabilities,” explains Rachel Armstrong, Executive Director of Farm Commons. “Alternatively, corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) provide a layer of protection by separating personal and business assets, thus mitigating risk.” However, merely establishing a legal entity is not enough to ensure success. Equally important is the creation of governance documents, such as operating agreements for LLCs and bylaws for corporations. These documents outline key aspects of the business, including ownership structure, decision-making processes, and dispute resolution mechanisms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Open Farm Employment Law Week beginning on Monday September 18th, we are re-releasing our podcast episode on Why Some Farms Pay Wages as Salary.Why the return? Because overtime pay rules continue to evolve across the country, and farmers and ranchers need to be aware. For example, Oregon's overtime rule changed this year in 2023, requiring overtime pay for farm workers. If you are required to pay overtime to workers on your farm or ranch, salary may be an option you want to explore. Tune in to learn more about overtime and salary, and be sure to check out the resources below learn the employment laws for your state. If you aren't a Farm Commons member -- don't worry, these resources are freely available during Open Farm Employment Law Week so be sure to check them all out!Recommended resources:Selected Essentials in Farm Employment Law for Your StateFarmers' Guide to Hiring Obligations

Stable long-term farmland access is essential for growing a sustainable agricultural business, but finding it is one of the biggest challenges facing farmers and ranchers today. Contributing factors to this pervasive issue are plentiful, and for Indigenous farmers, the difficulty of accessing their own ancestral lands adds an especially noxious layer. Michelle Week intimately knows the heartache of navigating these trials, and she also knows the success of persevering through the ups and downs of different leasing relationships, harnessing her inner wisdom and community of support to grow a thriving farm business along the way. Michelle is the owner and farmer of Good Rain Farm, a mixed produce CSA farm near Portland, Oregon, focused on decolonizing diets, revitalizing culture, food sovereignty and the returning to reverent sustainable land stewardship. In this episode, Michelle shares her story of seeking stable farmland access and the hard lessons she's learned over many years and through many land-based relationships, leading up to her current pursuit: reclaiming stolen Native land to ensure her community's continued permanent and sustained land access and stewardship of the land.Farm Commons is grateful to have worked with Michelle as a member of the 2022 Farm Commons Fellows leadership program.

Katie Nixon is a farmer and local food systems champion who has been working with and for agricultural producers for over 13 years in the Kansas City region. She is a co-owner of Green Gate Family Farm and a founding farmer/member of The Kansas City Food Hub, a cooperative association founded in the state of Kansas in 2016. In this episode, Katie takes us on a journey through the big ideas, conversations, relationships, and paperwork the cooperative's founding members managed over five years, all of which enabled the food hub to get off the ground. Farm Commons is grateful to have worked with Katie as a member of the 2022 Farm Commons Fellows leadership program.If you'd like to get in touch with Katie about cooperatives, follow her @green_gate_family_farm.

Hannah Hamilton and her husband, Jim Buckle, are committed to raising healthy, vibrant soils and food at their farm in Unity, Maine. Almost a decade in business has taught them important lessons about business resilience, healthy relationships, and how to think about failure. In this episode, Hannah shares about The Buckle Farm's journey toward forming a limited liability company (LLC), and why this formal business structure represents a renewed commitment to the land they love in addition to providing personal asset protection. Farm Commons is grateful to have worked with Hannah as a co-presenter of our Discovering Resilience workshop with MOFGA in 2020 and as a member of the 2022 Farm Commons Fellows leadership program.Check out The Buckle Farm to follow Hannah and Jim's story.

Everything is changing down on the farm, except for the laws.  How do farmers and ranchers keep up while they diversify in to direct to consumer sales, wedding sites, field dinners, local meat processing, pesticide drift, agri-tourism, cottage food, food safety liability, NIMBY neighbors, run off, carbon credits, etc?  The trusty local lawyer may not have all the answers.  That's why Rachel Armstrong created Farm Commons.

Does your farm have the right legal structures in place to protect your livelihood and to keep your farm thriving?  We're joined on the show today by Rachel Armstrong, Founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons located in Duluth, Minnesota. Farm Commons' mission is to empower agricultural communities to resolve their own legal vulnerabilities, within an ecosystem of support. A single legal vulnerability can make or break a farm. But farmers, ranchers, and agriculture communities already have their hands full taking on behemoths like monopolistic agribusiness companies. Farms today are getting squeezed by overwhelming social and economic forces. They need shared tools for legal resilience. Learn how Rachel and her team can provide legal resilience for you and your farm!   You'll hear: What motivated Rachel to establish Farm Commons 1:03 What blanket farm personal property is 11:25 Why it's good to have a solid lease agreement in place 15:39 What legal structures farmers should have in place 23:32 What the rules are surrounding volunteers 27:36 What Rachel recommends for farms offering worker perks such as room and board 32:58 What advice Rachel has for farmers just getting started 37:35 About the Guest: Rachel Armstrong is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering farmers to resolve their own legal vulnerabilities within an ecosystem of support. After a childhood and early career in agriculture showed her the vast need for legal education, Rachel went to law school with the exclusive purpose of creating an organization to address that need. Her game-changing vision for how farmers experience business law has been awarded a 2012 Echoing Green Global Fellowship and a 2018 Ashoka Fellowship. As leading authority on direct-to-consumer farm law she has authored dozens of publications and leads workshops nationwide. Rachel instructs continuing legal education classes for the American Bar Association, teaches farm law for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is a co-author of "Farmers' Guide to Business Structures," published by USDA SARE. She lives in Northern Minnesota with her husband and 3 children, not far from the old farm where she grew up.   Resources:Website - https://farmcommons.org/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FarmCommons Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/farm.commons/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/farmcommons

Mary and Emma have an enlightening conversation this week with grower and legal educator Eva Moss, discussing an aspect of the homestead dream that is too often overlooked. Knowing farm law and preparing for unexpected issues through healthy communication before they come up creates legal protection for all parties involved. Eva shares with us the story of how a life transition left her and her farm legally vulnerable. With help, she found her way through that experience all the wiser, and now uses her voice and legal knowledge to educate the farming community through her work at Farm Commons. Throughout the episode, Eva speaks to the power of finding healthy pathways forward in our relationships within the business, with each other and with the land. She reminds us that we have the power to create our own solutions and that we have significant creative power to (legally) cultivate the lady farmer life we're dreaming of if we take the time to talk about our needs and goals. Mary, Emma and Eva also discuss how to cultivate a slow life as a hardworking homesteader and the important distinction between self-sufficiency and community resiliency. 1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about Plastic Free July!  7:30 - Introducing Eva Moss Let's get into the episode:  9:25 - Eva introduces herself  18:30 - Creating a foundation...grounded in the law  21:30 - Eva's homestead story  26:30 - Finding pathways   32:00 - A great place to start  39:30 - Looking ahead  47:00 - Setting boundaries  50:00 - Grappling with “homesteading”  57:00 - Carving out community  59:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?    Shop our Plastic Free July zero waste products in the marketplace!  Use Code: plasticfreejuly for 15% OFF   Things Mentioned: Plastic Free July  Lady Farmer Marketplace Heart Strong Farm Farm Commons North Carolina Farm Link Land Link Montgomery  Thistle Farms Cooperative Extension

Mary and Emma have an enlightening conversation this week with grower and legal educator Eva Moss, discussing an aspect of the homestead dream that is too often overlooked. Knowing farm law and preparing for unexpected issues through healthy communication before they come up creates legal protection for all parties involved. Eva shares with us the story of how a life transition left her and her farm legally vulnerable. With help, she found her way through that experience all the wiser, and now uses her voice and legal knowledge to educate the farming community through her work at Farm Commons. Throughout the episode, Eva speaks to the power of finding healthy pathways forward in our relationships within the business, with each other and with the land. She reminds us that we have the power to create our own solutions and that we have significant creative power to (legally) cultivate the lady farmer life we're dreaming of if we take the time to talk about our needs and goals. Mary, Emma and Eva also discuss how to cultivate a slow life as a hardworking homesteader and the important distinction between self-sufficiency and community resiliency.1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about Plastic Free July! 7:30 - Introducing Eva MossLet's get into the episode: 9:25 - Eva introduces herself 18:30 - Creating a foundation...grounded in the law 21:30 - Eva's homestead story 26:30 - Finding pathways  32:00 - A great place to start 39:30 - Looking ahead 47:00 - Setting boundaries 50:00 - Grappling with “homesteading” 57:00 - Carving out community 59:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?  Shop our Plastic Free July zero waste products in the marketplace! Use Code: plasticfreejuly for 15% OFF Things Mentioned:Plastic Free July Lady Farmer MarketplaceHeart Strong FarmFarm CommonsNorth Carolina Farm LinkLand Link Montgomery Thistle FarmsCooperative Extension

In this episode, we explore Farm Commons' new membership program — why we have one, how it works, and how to join. You'll hear insights into how our legal education work as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization has traditionally been funded over the past 8 years, and how the new membership program allows us to grow into our deeper goals of farmer accountability, long term relationship building, and increased access to farm law education across the nation. “Podcast intro” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2020.

In this episode, we explore Farm Commons’ new membership program — why we have one, how it works, and how to join. You’ll hear insights into how our legal education work as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization has traditionally been funded over the past 8 years, and how the new membership program allows us to grow into our deeper goals of farmer accountability, long term relationship building, and increased access to farm law education across the nation. “Podcast intro” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2020. Farm Commons http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/farmcommons/~3/WJyTjufoOsA/ guid-3815 Fri, 02 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000 1800 false rachel@farmcommons.org (Rachel Armstrong)farming,legal,resources,non,profit,food,farm,law,employmenthttps://farmcommons.org/resources/podcasts/episode-34-growing-membership-at-farmcommons/https://farmcommons.

In this episode, we explain and explore the many changes we've made to farm law education at Farm Commons in response to limitations of the global pandemic. We dive deep into our core mission of empowering farming communities to resolve your own farm business law issues in an ecosystem of support, and how that mission guided us in thinking creatively outside of the “Zoom” box to create interactive, engaging, and actionable farm law workshops and a brand new website! “Podcast intro” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2020.    

In this episode, we explain and explore the many changes we’ve made to farm law education at Farm Commons in response to limitations of the global pandemic. We dive deep into our core mission of empowering farming communities to resolve your own farm business law issues in an ecosystem of support, and how that mission guided us in thinking creatively outside of the “Zoom” box to create interactive, engaging, and actionable farm law workshops and a brand new website! “Podcast intro” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2020. Farm Commons http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/farmcommons/~3/e8pLyUcj6zU/ guid-3620 Thu, 25 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 2700 false rachel@farmcommons.org (Rachel Armstrong)farming,legal,resources,non,profit,food,farm,law,employmenthttps://farmcommons.org/resources/podcasts/episode-33-farm-commons-evolution-through-covid-19/https://farmcomm

Farming is tough, and starting a farm business during a global pandemic can be even tougher. In this episode, our staff member Taylor Coons shares key tips to help you start up your farm business with strong legal footing during this tumultuous time. We cover important conversations to have when leasing land and setting up your business structure, as well as insurance insights and what it means to have workers on your farm, legally speaking. Be sure to check out the resources we mention in the links below (hyperlinked on website only) to support you along your start-up journey. Resource links: Farmers' Guide to Business Structures Managing the Sustainable Farm's Risks with Insurance: Nagivating Common Options Managing the Risks of Interns and Volunteers Farmers' Legal Memo on Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave Disclaimer: These resources are provided by Farm Commons for educational purposes only and are not legal counseling. No attorney-client relationship is created, nor is there any offer to provide legal services by the distribution of these publications. Always consult an attorney before relying on the information in these resources. “Easy Lemon” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2012.

Show Notes: Farming is tough, and starting a farm business during a global pandemic can be even tougher. In this episode, our staff member Taylor Coons shares key tips to help you start up your farm business with strong legal footing during this tumultuous time. We cover important conversations to have when leasing land and setting up your business structure, as well as insurance insights and what it means to have workers on your farm, legally speaking. Be sure to check out the resources we mention in the links below (hyperlinked on website only) to support you along your start-up journey.  Resource links: Farmers' Guide to Business Structures Managing the Sustainable Farm's Risks with Insurance: Nagivating Common Options Managing the Risks of Interns and Volunteers Farmers' Legal Memo on Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave   Disclaimer: These resources are provided by Farm Commons for educational purposes only and are not legal counseling. No attorney-client relationship is created, nor is there any offer to provide legal services by the distribution of these publications. Always consult an attorney before relying on the information in these resources.

Learn about your responsibilities and liabilities as a goat owner with Eva Moss, Farmer and Partner Development Manager at Farm Commons, which is a non-profit specializing in legal education for farmers. 2:50 zoning6:20 goat yoga7:20 liability8:30 signed waivers10:00 agritourism liability statutes11:56 insurance17:40 incorporation20:49 types of business entitities24:00 liability for goat bite and rabies31:22 product liabilityFor more information about farming and legal issues, visit Farm Commons.

Agriculture in the United States was established on, with, and by the system of slavery – being the enslavement of black people by white people. Since the first people from Africa arrived on U.S. shores in 1619 into the system of enslavement, the legacy of oppression, racism, and discrimination has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, we see this in many areas of agriculture, especially the law. In this episode, we take a hard look at discrimination in the legal areas of lending and farmland access — how it works, what's been done about it, and share supporting resources in these areas of law for black, indigenous, and peopler of color farming communities. Resources Mentioned: Southern Rural Development Center (SRCD)SRDC Heirs' Property presentation (YouTube video)Tuskegee University Heir Property (PowerPoint Presentation)Farming While Black by Leah Penniman of Soul Fire FarmFamily Agriculture Resource Management Service (FARMS)Land Loss Prevention ProjectRAFI-USA Farmer HotlineFLAG Farmer Hotline: 877-860-4349 Disclaimer: These resources are provided by Farm Commons for educational purposes only and are not legal counseling. No attorney-client relationship is created, nor is there any offer to provide legal services by the distribution of these publications. Always consult an attorney before relying on the information in these resources. “Easy Lemon” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2012.

Show Notes: Agriculture in the United States was established on, with, and by the system of slavery – being the enslavement of black people by white people. Since the first people from Africa arrived on U.S. shores in 1619 into the system of enslavement, the legacy of oppression, racism, and discrimination has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, we see this in many areas of agriculture, especially the law. In this episode, we take a hard look at discrimination in the legal areas of lending and farmland access -- how it works, what’s been done about it, and share supporting resources in these areas of law for black, indigenous, and peopler of color farming communities. Resources Mentioned: Southern Rural Development Center (SRCD)  SRDC Heirs’ Property presentation (YouTube video) Tuskegee University Heir Property (PowerPoint Presentation) Farming While Black by Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm Family Agriculture Resource Management Service (FARMS)  Land Loss Prevention Project RAFI-USA Farmer Hotline FLAG Farmer Hotline: 877-860-4349 Disclaimer: These resources are provided by Farm Commons for educational purposes only and are not legal counseling. No attorney-client relationship is created, nor is there any offer to provide legal services by the distribution of these publications. Always consult an attorney before relying on the information in these resources.

The Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic has touched all parts of our lives--including the food system. While farms are considered essential businesses, farmers and farm workers are facing huge challenges, including getting food where it needs to go in a changing world, dealing with illness and unemployment, and much more. Rachel Armstrong is founder and executive director of Farm Commons, and she walks us through the many problems--and some solutions--in today's food system.

Our friends at Farm Commons have a great podcast series to help farmers manage legal issues that could arise during the pandemic. We're posting a crossover episode here to introduce our audience to Farm Commons' resources. In this episode, they discuss key legal considerations of sick leave policies for farms that may have sick employees and/or employees with sick family members/kids at home because school is canceled. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/moses-podcast/message

How does the coronavirus impact produce safety? How much do you have to worry about surfaces? How do you keep yourself, your workers, and your customers safe? The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a lot of questions for market farmers. Produce safety expert Annalisa Hultberg from the University of Minnesota Extension has science-based answers to help you understand best practices for flattening the curve and feeding your community at the same time. MOSES Organic Specialist and organic fruit farmer Rachel Henderson provides a farmer's take. As promised in this episode, here's a link to the Farm Commons webinar on Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Farmers/Ranchers Affected by COVID-19. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/moses-podcast/message

In this episode, we discuss the legal mechanics of online sales platforms and CSA agreements as part of special coverage on COVID-19's effects on farm businesses with Sarah Vaile, Farm Commons' Staff Attorney. “Podcast intro” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2020.

Show Notes: In this episode, we discuss the legal mechanics of online sales platforms and CSA agreements as part of special coverage on COVID-19’s effects on farm businesses with Sarah Vaile, Farm Commons' Staff Attorney. Sarah: There’s no denying the magnitude of havoc that COVID-19 is wreaking across our globe, and on the farmers that we here at Farm Commons work hard to serve. We all know what’s going on. It goes without saying, but just to recap for anyone who’s been stuck under a rock or on Mars these past few weeks…The way we are able to access our food has drastically changed, and means farmers have to change the way they sell their farm products. Restaurants are mostly closed for dining in and grocery stores, while open, are now scary places to be in. The threat of catching the coronavirus looms large, and is on every shopper’s mind as they touch a head of broccoli or a carton of milk – who else has touched it, and are the dreaded COVID germs lurking there, ready to infect? Even farmers markets, potentially safer, being in the open air and carrying food handled only by known persons in the local community, feel questionable in this landscape of fear. Eva: With all the policy changes around public gatherings, retails operations, and social distancing, what are farmers to do with regards to sales? Sarah: I asked myself this question at the farmers market yesterday morning, as I looked around at all the beautiful mixed greens, kale and spinach, huckleberries, wild mushrooms, bunches of beets, bouquets of brightly colored flowers and sunflower sprouts that farmers spent so much time and energy and blood, sweat and tears to produce, and gather and grow and harvest. I felt so much sadness thinking that this might all go to waste as the usually bustling market was but a shadow of its former self, with only the most diehard amongst us showing up to make our purchases. Then I remembered, farmers are the most ingenious, inventive, resourceful people I know. This is proving to be true as we find our way through this strange new world of social distancing and masks, Purell and rubber gloves. The online farm sales platform Barn2Door says in its website article about tips for farm sales during the COVID-19 crisis that online farm sales have increased 10x and in some cases even 20x in the recent weeks. Barn2Door encourages farmers to keep up the online momentum, and do what they can to make it easy for customers, something they’ve become accustomed to thanks to Amazon, Netflix etc. Offer locations in town for customers to pick up farm products and better yet, deliver right to their door. Offer a “bundle” of farm products such as milk, bread and other staples, which are delivered on a weekly basis. Farmers are quickly learning how to shift their business models, and their responsiveness to the changing needs of customers, and an ever-changing situation, will keep them in business. Eva: At Farm Commons, we have great guides available for farmers who sell wholesale, providing guidance as they enter into contracts with grocery stores, restaurants, schools, governments and other such traditional, brick and mortar vendors. But, what about when farmers enter into contracts with online platforms such as Barn2Door, Farmingo or Harvie? Are the legal considerations of these sales platforms different than say, through a farmers market?  Sarah: The considerations are different because what these virtual sales platforms do is different than the brick and mortar stores. Like I said, what these platforms offer varies from company to company, but mostly they offer the ability for farmers to sell online – in other words, they provide a landing spot, online, where customers can see the farm products that are available, select what they want, and pay for it. This is very different from a traditional wholesale arrangement where, say, the grocery store, for example, actually takes possession of the broccoli and kale, physically handles it, decides where to place it within the display areas in the store, prices it and so on. Typically the online platform never actually takes physical possession of the farm products, and is not responsible for actually getting the products into the hands of the customers. What the online platform typically does, instead, is provide the software ingenuity that attempts to mimic, virtually, the experience of the customer going into the grocery store and doing the shopping in person. It replicates this experience, as best as possible, in an online setting. The platform also offers the means for the customers to purchase the products easily, through secure payment options. Something a lot of these sites do is the marketing, which involves using a whole set of tools to create a robust online and social media presence for their farm clients. They also handle a lot of the logistics and other administration of sales such as creating invoices and coordinating deliveries. Eva: What are key questions should farmers be asking when pursuing these new sales platforms?  Sarah: The activities involved in selling farm products online are different than brick-and-mortar and therefore the legal considerations are different too. Oregon State University’s Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems has developed a helpful guide for selling local food during the COVID-19 crisis. It includes a list of online sales platforms and a list of questions to ask when contacting these different companies to determine if they are the right fit. These questions are also helpful in thinking through the legal considerations of these arrangements, which basically entail being clear about what I, the farmer, am agreeing to do for the vendor, and what the vendor is agreeing to do for me. You need to talk about money. One of the single most important issues to cover for sure. You need to get clarity around what it will cost you, the farmer, to use the platform. You’ll want to know what the fee structure is. Is it a one-time set up fee upfront and that’s it or do they take a percentage of every single sale? Is there a discount to you once you reach a certain sales volume maybe? Then you’ll also want to understand how customers pay for your products. Are credit and debit card fees charged to customers or is this something that you, the farmer, have to cover? What are those fees and when and how are they collected? Can customers pay by check or cash on delivery? Can customers pay with EBT or food stamps? Is there a way for you to offer customers discounts, coupons, and promotions? How long does it take for customer payments to deposit into your farm’s bank account? How is sales tax handled on the platform?  You also want to know if this a company you can trust. Do they have a lot of experience? How is their reputation? You might want to ask how long has their online sales platform has been in use and find out how many farmers do they currently serve. You’ll want to find out how easy it will be to get started, as this is, well, really an emergency situation that requires urgent attention – you need to get online and to your customers right now. You’ll want to find out the details around what it will really take to get started, and if there’s a wait because of the current increase in demand for online sales platform services. You also want to get a handle on the issue unique to farms and your farm products. What is the process for providing all the information to the vendor about what farm products you have for sale? How will you update your product list and pricing? Will you be able to set inventory limits so that you don’t oversell products? Is it possible to create pack lists directly from the sales platform? How about labels for your farm products? Does the platform provide any assistance around the logistics of delivering farm products?  Then there are the technology questions. How will the online sales platform integrate with your current website? How does the customer interface work? Is the platform easy to use on a Smartphone? Is it possible to integrate the platform with your existing accounting software? What kind of IT support does the company provide when all of this gets too confusing? Having an online sales platform has an added bonus of capturing sales data in one place, electronically. But, you might want to ask, How is my farm’s sales data used and/or shared? And, if this is something you might do only temporarily, What happens to my farm’s sales data if I stop using your platform?  Many of these questions can be found in demo videos or FAQs on the platform website, but others can only be answered through talking directly to someone from the company, and they usually are readily available to talk to you. Like most software programs and other online tools, they will ordinarily include a contract for you to sign, online. It can feel tedious to read through the whole contract, but like any contract, it’s a good idea to take the time to read it and understand what you are agreeing to. And always ask. If there’s something you don’t understand, do take the time to get an explanation. Even in these times of crisis, where it feels like you have no time to read the fine print. Eva: Many farms are also shifting to the CSA - community supported agriculture model, can you tell us more about that model? Sarah: The shift from selling in brick-and-mortar stores (or open air farmers markets) to selling farm products via online storefronts is all about making it easier for your customers to buy your products. Shifting to a CSA model is another way farms are shifting their sales models to make it easier for their customers in these COVID times. I’m sure most of you listening right now are familiar with the CSA model but for those who may not be, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The basic framework of the community supported agriculture or CSA model is that customers sign up to become “members” of the farm’s CSA program, and these members pay money upfront, before the farming season even begins, to receive a share of farm products usually on a weekly basis throughout the farming season. Typically the farmers dole out their products into boxes for each of their members, who all receive the same kind and quantity of produce and other farm goods. The customers pick up their CSA box at a designated location, sometimes on the farm, sometimes at a drop point in town, at a designated time each week. Eva: Why do you think CSA is a good fit for farmers and consumers during this time of COVID-19? Sarah: This is a really workable model in ordinary times, and is attractive for both farmer and customer – the farmer gets money upfront during the lean times of winter and early spring, and can adequately plan what to grow based on CSA demand. The customer gets a steady supply of fresh, nutrient-packed local farm products throughout the season. The CSA model provides security for both farmer and customer. In the COVID times, this security is even more welcome. Plus, like the online storefront, the CSA model offers the ability to get farm fresh products without having to go to the store. It’s a win-win for everyone. Eva: What are important legal considerations farmers should pay attention to with CSAs? Sarah: There are some legal considerations with the CSA model that farmers should be aware of as they look to shift to this model. One is: How much risk are the customers taking on in this arrangement? Another great feature of the CSA model for the farmer is that in a typical CSA model, the customer shares the farmer’s risk. What I mean by that is that farming is a risky business. There’s no guarantee that what the farmer plants in the spring is going to make it to bountiful harvest time. Natural disasters happen. Disease sets in. Predators sometimes don’t mind fences. Your customers have paid a pretty penny in the beginning of the year to be able to share in the expected harvest later. But what if there’s no harvest to share in? In the traditional CSA model, the farmer says, “I’m so sorry but I used all your cash, dear member, to buy all the seed and pay my workers to plant the seeds and weed and water and who knew there’d be a tornado that wiped this all out. Thanks for investing in my farm and taking this risk. We’ll try again next year.” In that model, the member is out of luck – no cash, no food. Many people will be willing to enter into an arrangement like that, understanding that farming can be risky, but usually they will get their food in the end. They don’t mind investing in small-scaled, organic agriculture despite the fact that they may lose out in the short-term. However, if this is not communicated clearly to the CSA members, and the tornado happens and the members get no food, you can be certain that you will have some disgruntled members. So, to avoid this misunderstanding and bad result, farmers should be clear about how risk is being shared, and whether refunds will or will not be issued if there’s no farm product to share with members. Farmers can choose to share risk any way they wish – it just needs to be communicated clearly to members. Another consideration is around the legal right to farm product. This issue surfaces when CSA members don’t pick up their CSA box within the designated pick-up window. Say that pickup time is every Thursday in the park between 4-7pm. What happens when a member misses that window and their CSA share is left in the park after dark? Legally speaking, who does it belong to now? The answer is whoever the farmer and member agreed it belongs to. If the farmer never clearly communicates the answer to the member before this happens, this can lead to extreme frustration and disappointment for the customer. The member who realizes at 8pm that night that they didn’t get their box, may be very sad to learn that their box has been donated to the local food bank. Eva: What Farm Commons resources should farmers look to? Sarah: Farm Commons has a great resource for farmers looking to shift to the CSA model. On our website you can find a CSA Member Agreement Workbook. It contains a lot of helpful guidance to create a member agreement as well as sample agreements from simply online forms to more comprehensive contracts appropriate for a brochure or other written form.  Disclaimer: We are working hard and fast to get information together about COVID-19 related programs to share with the farming community as quickly and accurately as possible. Please note that things are rapidly shifting during this time and what was accurate info 2 days or 2 weeks ago may not be accurate tomorrow. As such, please look for our most recent updated information on all COVID-19 issues. As always, the above communications are delivered for educational purposes only and do not constitute the rendering of legal advice.

In this podcast episode, our executive Director, Rachel Armstrong, shares updates on what Farm Commons is working on and what to expect from us in 2020. We also discuss our new Farmer Solutions Sessions program, upcoming workshops, the new In-Kind Wage guide, and hot topic legal issues, including planning for employees and considerations for drafting a lease. Tune in here or find us on iTunes! “Easy Lemon” from Royalty Free by Kevin MacLeod. Released: 2012.

In this podcast episode, our executive Director, Rachel Armstrong, shares updates on what Farm Commons is working on and what to expect from us in 2020. We also discuss our new Farmer Solutions Sessions program, upcoming workshops, the new In-Kind Wage guide, and hot topic legal issues, including planning for employees and considerations for drafting a lease. Tune in here or find us on iTunes! 

We wrap up our farm law series with this bonus episode with Rachel Armstrong as she helps us navigate employment rules when we venture outside of farming into value-added products, on-farm food service, offering classes, etc. While this diversification is great for spreading risk over a broad range of enterprises, it changes the rules for paying employees. Hear Rachel's recommendations to help you avoid issues. Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit that empowers farmers to understand and create their own solutions to business law challenges in an ecosystem of support. She strives to make farm law approachable and relevant to every farmer.

Today, Rachel Armstrong helps us understand "human risk" on our specialty crop farms. Learn about the different categories of labor, from volunteers to paid staff, and how to navigate legally and safely for everyone.  Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit that empowers farmers to understand and create their own solutions to business law challenges in an ecosystem of support. She strives to make farm law approachable and relevant to every farmer.

We continue our series with Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons talking about empowering women farmers to take charge of our businesses and manage risk effectively. Farming is unpredictable with variables we cannot control. Rachel helps us navigate and plan for what we can control, with a particular focus today on direct marketing value-added products. Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit organization that exists to empower farmers to understand and create their own solutions to business law challenges, in an ecosystem of support. She strives to make farm law approachable and relevant to every farmer.

We’re back with Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons to talk about legal issues on the farm and dig into the concept of risk and how to manage that. Rachel explains how marketing through a regional food hub can be "the sweet spot" for farmers, providing the right amount of support so they can hit a home run in the farming business. Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit that empowers farmers to understand and create their own solutions to business law challenges in an ecosystem of support. She strives to make farm law approachable and relevant to every farmer.

We kick off a new series with Rachel Armstrong, who grew up on a farm in Minnesota, headed off to law school, then saw the need for legal education for farmers and founded the nonprofit Farm Commons. Rachel’s story reminds us that there are many roles for women in the sustainable agriculture world and to experiment, research and—as she did—create new things that support our good food movement. Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a nonprofit that empowers farmers to understand and create their own solutions to business law challenges in an ecosystem of support. She strives to make farm law approachable and relevant to every farmer.

World Dairy Expo starts today!  Josh Scramlin gave us an insight into what you can expect for 2019. Tammy Baldwin shared more information about what she has been pushing for in regards to helping the dairy industry. Farm Commons is meant to help farmers understand the law, learn more about who they are and how they can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part two of Farm Commons' two-part general overview of farm employment law. This episode covers interns and volunteers, workers' compensation, and additional resources for farmers. Featuring Megan Fehrman, Josie Erskine, Michael Duff, Erin Hannum, Rachel Armstrong, and Matt Stannard.  

A very basic introduction to contracts and sales agreements in sustainable farming enterprises. Writing sales agreements, working out ambiguities and contract disputes, and CSAs: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Includes a discussion of indemnification, and additional resources for farmers. Featuring Morgan Weinstein, Rachel Armstrong, Erin Hannum, and Matt Stannard.

Insurance is an important form of risk management for your sustainable farm operation. What does an insurance policy include? We discuss crop damage and livestock loss, property damage, injuries to guests and customers, injuries to workers, and more. The podcast concludes with a list of additional resources for farmers. Featuring Chris Duke, Michael Duff, and Matt Stannard.

A very basic introduction to various direct-to-consumer legal issues, including food freedom laws, food safety, navigating local cottage food laws, working with regulators, and more. Includes a list of additional resources on food safety for farmers. Featuring Bren Lieske, Erin Hannum, Rachel Armstrong, and Matt Stannard.

This episode briefly explores Whole Farm Revenue Protection. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. It may be especially suited to sustainable farmers. Matt discusses the benefits of WFRP with Roxann, a Wisconsin-based insurance agent. Featuring Roxann Brixon and Matt Stannard.

Matt discusses the economic and ecological benefits of agroforestry, USDA agroforestry programs, and the legal challenges of agroforestry agreements, concluding with a long list of resources for learning more. Featuring Matt Stannard.  

Part one of a two-part basic introduction to farm employment law. Part one includes an overview, discussion of employees versus independent contractors, a tax paperwork checklist, and additional resources for farmers. Featuring Erin Hannum, Rachel Armstrong, Michael Duff, Chris Langone, and Matt Stannard.

A brief introduction to the many ways available to fund our farm ventures, including options for loans and some of the legal risks associated with them--and a list of resources for farmers to learn more. Featuring Rachel Armstrong, Tracy Potter-Fins, Greg Friestadt, and Matt Stannard. 

A very basic introduction to acquiring and agreeing upon leased land for sustainable farming operations. This episode includes an overview of the leasemaking process, the importance of written leases and a good communication process between owner and farmer, stories of unexpected termination, and a special conversation about the importance of leasing land for farming. Additional resources are also mentioned at the end of the podcast. Featuring Nellie McAdams, Erin Hannum, Josie Erskine, Greg Friestadt, and Matt Stannard  

Rachel Armstrong founded the nonprofit Farm Commons, a legal resource for sustainability-minded farmers, in 2012. And Cassie Noltnerwyss owns Crossroads Community Farm in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. And they’ve both joined me for this episode to talk about the legal side of employees and other workers on the farm. Rachel started her career working on farms and in community gardens before she transitioned into doing nonprofit and advocacy work for sustainable agriculture. She decided to go to law school when she realized that the resources didn’t exist to answer the kinds of questions small-scale and local growers were asking. Today, Farm Commons offers a variety of legal resources for farmers, from land use and business transfer to employment and contract law. Cassie owns Crossroads Community Farm with her husband, Mike. They raise about 20 acres of vegetables, sold through a CSA, farmers market, and wholesale to grocery and restaurants in nearby Madison. Now in their twelfth year of business, Crossroads has up to ten full-time employees at the peak of the season. While Cassie doesn’t have any formal business or law training, she had learned a lot along the way as the business has developed and grown. Together, Rachel and Cassie dig into the nitty-gritty parts of the legal side of having employees on the farm. We take a look at contractors versus employees, managing volunteers, workers compensation, minimum wage, overtime, navigating federal and state laws, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and more. The Farmer to Farmer Podcast is generously supported by Vermont Compost Company.

Farm Commons staff decodes the final FSMA produce rule and what it means for farmers across the country (recorded just after the final rule was published, winter 2015).

Rachel Armstrong, founder of Farm Commons, which helps farmers with transactional legal issues, like leases, partnership agreements and employment matters.