Category Archives: Uncategorized

Does Agritourism Hinder or Promote Farmland Preservation?

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I recently co-authored an article for Southern Ag Today with my friend, Jesse Richardson, on an interesting case out of Michigan.  While the case involved questions about zoning, it raised interesting policy questions about how best to preserve farmland and balance that desire with the economic benefits agritourism can provide. Read our article here.

Wrapping Up a Busy Few Weeks: Programs, Workshops, and AALA

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It has been a busy few weeks full of travel, learning, and connecting with people across the country. From programs and workshops in Bryan, Texas to the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, it has been a great stretch of events. Let’s take a quick recap.

Federal Court Upholds Air Emissions Exemption for Livestock & Poultry Operations

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I was honored to co-author (along with my friend, Paul Goeringer) the 1,000th article published by Southern Ag Today. Southern Ag Today is a collaboration between 12 universities across the South, including Texas A&M.  Each weekday, Southern Ag Today publishes a short article related to agricultural economics in the South.  If you are not subscribed, you are missing out!  You can get subscribed here by clicking on the green “subscribe” box on the righthand side of the screen. For article number 1,000, we focused on an EPA rule… Read More →

“An Examination of the Implications of Proposition 12” – My Experience Testifying Before the House Ag Committee

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Last week, I had the honor of being a witness at a hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture in Washington, DC looking at the implications of Proposition 12. It was a really great experience, and I am so grateful to Ranking Member, Angie Craig, for the invitation to participate in the hearing.  I also want to thank the many friends and colleagues who helped me prepare for my testimony.  As I noted in my testimony, this is an important issue for producers and agribusinesses across the country. … Read More →

Court Rules in Corner-Crossing Trespassing Case

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The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued an important ruling in Iron Bar Holdings, LLC v. Cape, a case regarding “corner-crossing” on checkerboarded land in the West.  This important decision impacts landowners and the public alike. Background Across the western United States, there are millions of acres platted into squares that alternate in ownership with one square being private and the next public that resembles a checkerboard.  For 150 years, a conflict has been brewing over property law and access to public lands in… Read More →

Lawsuits, Disaster Declaration After PFAS Contaminates Farms in Johnson County, Texas

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Farmers in Johnson County, Texas are in the epicenter of litigation surrounding alleged PFAS contamination of agricultural land, water, and livestock.  There are now two pending lawsuits, and the County has declared a state of emergency. Background Plaintiffs James Farmer, Robin Alessi, Patsy Schultz, and Tony and Karen Coleman are farmers in Johnson County, Texas. Defendant, Synagro Tech, produces a biosolid fertilizer, Granulite.  Plaintiffs allege Synagro has contracts with more than 1,000 municipal wastewater facilities across the country, including with the City of Ft. Worth. The Complaint alleges… Read More →

Recent Podcasts and Interviews

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Hello from a very chilly 7 degree day in the Texas Panhandle!  Today, we are going to share a couple of articles I have written and interviews I have done lately. Basically Famous Podcast Many of you know Tyler Schuster, the host of the Basically Famous podcast.  She asked me to be a guest on her show to chat about my life and career, some lessons I have learned along the way, mentorship, and more.  You can listen to our conversation here. Ag industry sees legal changes in… Read More →

Yet Another Corporate Transparency Update: Injunction Reinstated

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*Update:  On January 23, 2025, the United States Supreme Court lifted the nationwide injunction in Texas Top Cop Shop, LLC v. Garland.   However, a nationwide injunction entered by the United States District Court for the District of Texas remains in place in a separate case, Smith v. US Department of Treasury. In ight of that, at this time the reporting deadlines are not in place and the requirement is not being enforced.  For the most up to date information, click here.   In what feels a bit like… Read More →

BREAKING NEWS: Court Lifts Injunction; Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Deadline January 13, 2025

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*Update:  On January 23, 2025, the United States Supreme Court lifted the nationwide injunction in Texas Top Cop Shop, LLC v. Garland.   However, a nationwide injunction entered by the United States District Court for the District of Texas remains in place in a separate case, Smith v. US Department of Treasury. In ight of that, at this time the reporting deadlines are not in place and the requirement is not being enforced.  For the most up to date information, click here. Santa Claus is not the only one… Read More →

USDA To Require Electronic Tags for Certain Cattle & Bison Crossing State Lines

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Final Rule modifying requirements for certain cattle and bison producers who ship animals across state lines.  Specifically, the Final Rule, set to go into effect on November 5, 2024, will require ear tags that are both visually and electronically readable for interstate movement of certain bison and cattle.  To hear a discussion of the new Final Rule, click here for a podcast interview I did with Chelsea Good. Here is a brief rundown of the new rule’s requirements. Who: … Read More →