One of my favorite parts of this job is getting out of the office and visiting with folks across the state. Whether it is a county program, conference, or workshop, there is nothing better than meeting landowners, producers, and Extension agents where they are and talking through real-world legal questions.
As we head into the next couple of months, the calendar is full, and I am looking forward to several opportunities to travel, teach, and learn alongside you all. If you have a chance to attend one of these events, please come say hello.
Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course on Aug. 3, 2021. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
On the Road: Upcoming Programs
Over the next few weeks, I will be making several stops across Texas, along with a few virtual programs, covering a range of agricultural law topics important to landowners and producers.
We kick things off this week with a virtual presentation for the North Region Innovative Ideas Meeting on May 19, followed by an estate planning discussion at the Senior Extravaganza in Floydada on May 20. I will then be in Lubbock for the State Bar of Texas John Huffaker Ag Law CLE on May 21 through 22, where I will be moderating an animal health panel.
In June, I will be heading to Granbury for a Texas Agricultural Land Trust Workshop on June 16, focusing on estate and succession planning, an issue that continues to generate a lot of questions across the state.
We will close out June with a virtual Small Acreage Ranching Series hosted by Webb County Extension on June 30, where we will cover agricultural laws that frequently impact smaller land tracts and new landowners.
Looking ahead to early July, I will be in San Antonio for the Texas Wildlife Association Conference on July 9, participating in a lease drafting panel.
As always, you can find the full and updated list of programs on the Upcoming Presentations page.
Why These Programs Matter
If you have followed this blog for long, you know that agricultural law touches almost every decision made on a farm or ranch, from leasing and water rights to liability protection and estate planning. These programs are designed to take those legal concepts and walk through how they apply in real-life situations.
A big goal of these presentations is to answer questions like:
- What risks should I be thinking about for my operation?
- How do recent legal developments affect me?
- What steps can I take now to protect my land and my family?
Each program is a little different depending on the specific topic and audience, but the focus is always the same: providing practical, usable information.
The Role of Extension and County Programs
These events would not happen without the partnership between specialists and county Extension agents. One of the most important aspects of my role as an Extension Agricultural Law Specialist is supporting county-based programs and helping ensure that research-based legal information is reaching communities across Texas.
Extension is built on a simple idea: take knowledge from the university and make it accessible and useful to the public. Specialists like me work closely with county agents to:
- Develop program content on key legal issues
- Answer questions coming directly from producers and landowners
- Provide resources that agents can use in their own county programs
County agents are often the first phone call when a question arises. Part of my job is to support them with tools, materials, and technical expertise so they can best serve their local clientele.
Come and Join Us
If you see a program near you, I encourage you to attend. These events are a great opportunity not just to hear information, but to ask questions and visit with others dealing with similar issues.
A big part of what we do in Extension is building relationships and programs that meet local needs, and I am always glad to join in on a great program.
Hope to see you somewhere on the road soon.
