It has been a minute since we have done an Ag Law in the Field Podcast recap. For our new readers on the Texas Agriculture Law Blog, we also have a podcast called Ag Law in the Field. Once a month, we release a new episode featuring experts from across the industry to discuss agricultural law issues and topics affecting landowners and agricultural producers.
Here is a recap of our episodes from the past year or so.
Episode #201: Hannes Zetzsche (Agrivoltaics)
In this episode, Hannes Zetzsche joins the podcast to discuss agrivoltaics and how solar energy and agriculture can coexist on the same land. The conversation explores innovative approaches to sustainable land use, renewable energy, and agricultural production.
Episode #202: Jason Hill (PFAS Contamination and Agriculture)
Jason Hill joins the podcast to discuss PFAS contamination and its impact on agriculture. The episode covers what PFAS are, how they affect farmers and ranchers, and the legal and regulatory issues agricultural producers and rural landowners should understand.
Episode #203: Cahil Murchison (Vineyard & Wine Law Overview)
Cahil Murchison joins the podcast for a discussion on the legal issues surrounding vineyards and wineries. The episode covers key legal considerations for vineyard and winery operations and offers practical guidance for those involved in the industry.
Episode #204: Robert Frommer and Joshua Windham (Fourth Amendment Open Fields Doctrine)
Robert Frommer and Joshua Windham of the Institute for Justice discuss the Open Fields Doctrine and its impact on private property rights. The conversation explains how the doctrine allows government officials to enter certain private rural land without a warrant and what that means for landowners.
Episode #205: Jim Bradbury (Texas Supreme Court Decision Updates in Myers-Woodward & Cactus Water Services Cases)
Jim Bradbury returns to the podcast to discuss two significant Texas Supreme Court decisions: Myers-Woodward and Cactus Water Services. The episode examines the implications of these cases for landowners, water rights, and regulatory authorities in Texas.
Episode #206: Dr. Justin Benavidez (What the Big Beautiful Bill Means for Agriculture)
Dr. Justin Benavidez, Chief Economist for the House Committee on Agriculture, joins the podcast to discuss the “Big Beautiful Bill” and its potential impacts on agriculture, agricultural policy, and rural communities.
Episode #207: J Pete Laney (2025 Texas Legislature Impact on Agriculture)
J Pete Laney returns to the podcast to recap the 2025 Texas Legislative Session and discuss several key bills affecting Texas agriculture.
Note: This episode was recorded on August 25, 2025. Because the Texas Legislature was in special session, subsequent legislative action may have affected some of the topics discussed, including HB 27 related to groundwater in the Trinity Valley Groundwater Conservation District.
Episode #208: Audra Rod Smith (Due Diligence in Land Transactions)
Audra Rod Smith joins the podcast to discuss the importance of due diligence in land transactions. The episode covers practical considerations for buyers and sellers and highlights key legal issues to evaluate before closing a transaction.
Episode #209: Lynn Sherman and Jim Bradbury (Texas Groundwater Law Update)
Jim Bradbury and Lynn Sherman discuss recent developments in Texas groundwater law, including court decisions, groundwater conservation districts, and legal issues affecting landowners, agricultural producers, and rural communities.
Episode #210: Garrett Couts (Rights of First Refusal and Options)
Garrett Couts returns to the podcast to explain the rights of first refusal and option agreements in agricultural land transactions. The discussion covers how these legal tools work and important considerations for buyers, sellers, and landowners.
Episode #211: Misty Wilson Borkowski (Immigration Enforcement on Farms, Ranches, and Agribusinesses)
Misty Wilson Borkowski joins the podcast to discuss how farms, ranches, and agribusinesses can prepare for immigration enforcement. The conversation addresses legal considerations and practical steps agricultural employers should understand.
Episode #212: Paul Goeringer (2025 Ag Law Year in Review)
Paul Goeringer joins the podcast for the annual Ag Law Year in Review. The episode highlights the top ten agricultural law issues from 2025 and discusses their significance for the agricultural industry.
Episode #213: Chris Nichols (Data Centers)
Chris Nichols discusses the legal issues surrounding data centers on rural land. The episode explores common questions from landowners, legal considerations in negotiating these projects, and what the future may hold for data center development.
Episode #214: Chip English (Ag Law Legends)
Chip English shares the story of his career as a dairy industry attorney, discusses his path into agricultural law, and offers advice for younger attorneys entering the profession.
Episode #215: Brigit Rollins (Dicamba Update)
Brigit Rollins, Staff Attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center, returns to provide an update on dicamba. The episode reviews the history of dicamba registrations and litigation, discusses the EPA’s approval of three over-the-top dicamba products for cotton and soybeans, explains the new label restrictions, and covers the litigation challenging those registrations.
Episode #216: Ross Pifer (Right to Repair)
Ross Pifer of Penn State Dickinson Law joins the podcast to discuss the right-to-repair movement and its implications for agriculture. The conversation explores why the issue is controversial, its significance for agricultural producers, and the John Deere settlement.
Episode #217: Ty Koonce (Mental Health Awareness – Under the Hat)
Ty Koonce discusses the launch of Under the Hat, a nonprofit organization focused on mental health in agriculture. He shares his experiences working in agricultural lending, tells the story of losing his father to suicide, and discusses efforts to improve mental health resources in rural communities.
Episode #218: Luke Ellis (Transmission Lines & Eminent Domain)
Luke Ellis joins the podcast to discuss transmission line projects in Texas. The episode covers the Public Utility Commission routing process, eminent domain, and the legal issues landowners should understand when these projects affect their property.
Episode #219: Jennie Zwagerman (Monsanto v. Durnell Decision)
It is not that common to have an agricultural law case at the United States Supreme Court, but this term, Monsanto v. Durnell was argued, and in June, the Justices issued their decision on the important questions of whether FIFRA’s labeling requirements preempts state law failure-to-warn claims. Jennie Zwagerman joined me to talk through the case, the Opinion, and what this means going forward.
Episode #220: Mallory Lindsay (Texas Hunting Laws for Landowners & Hunters)
Mallory Lindsay, Texas Game Warden, joins the podcast to discuss Texas hunting laws and the legal considerations landowners and hunters should understand. The episode covers hunting regulations, landowner responsibilities, and important information for navigating hunting activities on Texas properties.
