It’s every farmer or rancher’s worst nightmare: Someone claims to have gotten sick from the food they produced. No matter how safe the operation is, the risk is always there. The good news is there are ways to manage and mitigate the impacts of this risk. In this webinar, attorney Chloe Forkner Johnson of Farm Commons discusses the best practices every farmer or rancher can adopt to get a foothold in managing their food safety liability exposure.
Format: Webinar
Nonprofit Formation
Attorney and , Nourishing the North Shore
A nonprofit is a legal entity aimed at providing a collective, public or social benefit as opposed to a legal entity operating to generate money for its owners. Forming a nonprofit and maintaining a nonprofit is a relatively involved process. During this webinar we hear from attorney Ryan Barry of Bulkley Richardson who specializes in forming nonprofits and Gini Mazman, a member of the newly formed nonprofit Nourishing the North Shore. Together, they cover the ins and outs of forming a nonprofit as well as common pitfalls and best practices.
Succession Planning
Succession planning is a critical step to ensuring your business can continue to operate even if someone retires or leaves the company. Succession planning is very specific to your business and should be done with the guidance of an attorney. Attorney Eric Archer of Archer & Foppert has supported many businesses with their succession plans. During this session Eric and Jayne Merner (a farmer) illustrate what succession planning looks like, common pitfalls and tips for working with an attorney.
Fiscal Sponsorship
When looking to start a charity, many groups turn to a fiscal sponsor prior to receiving tax-exemption from the IRS. A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that “sponsors” certain charitable projects. A fiscal sponsorship is a relationship between the two parties that provides a way for a start-up charity to have an administrative “home.” This relationship allows the start-up time to administratively and financially grow and the ability to receive tax-deductible donations. A fiscal sponsor can be a very helpful steppingstone. This webinar, presented by attorneys Elizabeth Manchester and Russell Stein of Partridge Snow & Hahn, provides the information you need when considering whether to enter into a fiscal sponsor relationship.
Farm Employment Law Basics
With just a few key rules, farms can navigate employment law with confidence. Join Rachel Armstrong of Farm Commons to learn the fundamentals of farm employment law including classifying workers and the obligations of every farm employer.
Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: salario mínimo, horas extras y descansos
A veces, los fundamentos jurídicos pueden ser más complicados de lo que pensamos, y esto es especialmente cierto cuando se trata de la legislación laboral agrícola. Este vídeo explica cuándo y cómo se aplican a las explotaciones agrícolas leyes laborales como el salario mínimo, las horas extraordinarias y los descansos. Cubrimos las leyes federales y estatales específicas del noreste de una manera que ayuda a los propietarios y trabajadores agrícolas a seguir adelante.
Esta serie es presentada por la Cohorte Legal Cultivemos. Cultivemos, (anteriormente conocido como FRSAN-NE, la Red de Asistencia para el Estrés en Granjas y Ranchos del Noreste) tiene como objetivo mejorar la conciencia de la salud conductual, la alfabetización, el acceso y los resultados para los agricultores, ganaderos y trabajadores agrícolas en el noreste mediante el desarrollo de una red de proveedores de servicios que pueden ayudar y satisfacer las necesidades únicas de los trabajadores agrícolas.
Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Conceptos básicos del programa de visas H-2A
El programa de visados H-2A permite a los agricultores traer a ciudadanos de otros países para realizar trabajos agrícolas en Estados Unidos. Este vídeo ayudará a los agricultores a evaluar si el visado H-2A puede ser adecuado para sus explotaciones. Examinamos la finalidad del programa y sus obligaciones legales. Teniendo en cuenta que el tráfico de seres humanos también va en aumento, abordaremos las principales formas en que los productores pueden protegerse contra la vulnerabilidad de los trabajadores en este programa.
Esta serie es presentada por la Cohorte Legal Cultivemos. Cultivemos, (anteriormente conocido como FRSAN-NE, la Red de Asistencia para el Estrés en Granjas y Ranchos del Noreste) tiene como objetivo mejorar la conciencia de la salud conductual, la alfabetización, el acceso y los resultados para los agricultores, ganaderos y trabajadores agrícolas en el noreste mediante el desarrollo de una red de proveedores de servicios que pueden ayudar y satisfacer las necesidades únicas de los trabajadores agrícolas.
Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Reglas y regulaciones de viviendas en las fincas
Muchas granjas ofrecen alojamiento en la explotación como forma de mejorar la calidad de vida de los trabajadores y proporcionarles una compensación adicional. Existen detalladas normativas federales, estatales y locales para garantizar que el alojamiento en las granjas sea seguro y justo. Conozca los aspectos básicos de estas normas con este vídeo.
Esta serie es presentada por la Cohorte Legal Cultivemos. Cultivemos, (anteriormente conocido como FRSAN-NE, la Red de Asistencia para el Estrés en Granjas y Ranchos del Noreste) tiene como objetivo mejorar la conciencia de la salud conductual, la alfabetización, el acceso y los resultados para los agricultores, ganaderos y trabajadores agrícolas en el noreste mediante el desarrollo de una red de proveedores de servicios que pueden ayudar y satisfacer las necesidades únicas de los trabajadores agrícolas.
Conceptos básico de la ley laboral: Fudamentos de la compensación para trabajadores
Las indemnizaciones por accidentes laborales y el seguro de desempleo pueden ser complicados para las empresas agrícolas, ya que las excepciones detalladas para la mano de obra agrícola complican las normas. Explore las normas específicas de los estados del noreste en torno a estas dos áreas legales. No se pierda la opción directa para minimizar la confusión, así como las pistas sobre dónde encontrar más información.
Esta serie es presentada por la Cohorte Legal Cultivemos. Cultivemos, (anteriormente conocido como FRSAN-NE, la Red de Asistencia para el Estrés en Granjas y Ranchos del Noreste) tiene como objetivo mejorar la conciencia de la salud conductual, la alfabetización, el acceso y los resultados para los agricultores, ganaderos y trabajadores agrícolas en el noreste mediante el desarrollo de una red de proveedores de servicios que pueden ayudar y satisfacer las necesidades únicas de los trabajadores agrícolas.
H2A Visa Program Basics
The H-2A visa program makes it possible for farmers to bring in citizens of other countries for agricultural work in the United States. This video will help farmers assess whether H-2A might be a good fit with their operations. We consider the program’s purpose and legal obligations. With human trafficking also on the rise, we’ll address key ways producers can guard against worker vulnerability in this program.
This series is presented by the Cultivemos Legal Cohort. Cultivemos, (formerly known as FRSAN-NE, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast) aims to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the Northeast by developing a service provider network that can assist and meet the unique needs of agricultural workers.
On-Farm Housing Rules and Regulations
Many farms offer on-farm housing as a way of improving worker quality of life and provide additional compensation. Detailed federal, state, and local regulations are in place to make sure farm housing is safe and fair. Learn the basics of these rules with this video.
This series is presented by the Cultivemos Legal Cohort. Cultivemos, (formerly known as FRSAN-NE, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast) aims to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the Northeast by developing a service provider network that can assist and meet the unique needs of agricultural workers.
Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance for Farmers
Workers compensation and unemployment insurance can be tricky for farm businesses, as detailed exceptions for farm labor complicate the rules. Explore the state specific rules for Northeastern states around these two legal areas. Don’t miss the straightforward option to minimize the confusion, as well as leads on where to find more information.
This series is presented by the Cultivemos Legal Cohort. Cultivemos, (formerly known as FRSAN-NE, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast) aims to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the Northeast by developing a service provider network that can assist and meet the unique needs of agricultural workers.
Minimum Wage, Overtime, and Breaks for Farmers
Sometimes, legal basics can be more complicated than we think, and this is especially true when it comes to farm employment law. This video outlines when and how employment laws such as minimum wage, overtime, and rest breaks apply to farm businesses. We cover federal and Northeast-specific state laws in a way that helps farm owners and workers move forward.
This series is presented by the Cultivemos Legal Cohort. Cultivemos, (formerly known as FRSAN-NE, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast) aims to improve behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the Northeast by developing a service provider network that can assist and meet the unique needs of agricultural workers.
Employment Law for Massachusetts Farmers
What should farms in Massachusetts consider when hiring employees? What are the rules of the road for agricultural workers in the Commonwealth. These two webinars from 2018 and 2024 cover key information for complying with Massachusetts employment law. Both webinars cover worker classification, overtime, agricultural labor exceptions, minimum wages (note that the amounts changed from 2018 to 2024), and comparing Massachusetts and federal employment laws, and how to know which applies.
Attorney Beth O’Neal of Conn Kavanaugh also covers the following in her 2018 presentation:
- Consequences of employee misclassification
- 2018 federal unpaid intern guidance
Attorney Sean Fontes of Partridge Snow & Hahn also covers the following in his 2024 presentation:
- A deeper dive into agricultural labor
- Leave and sick time
- Unemployment insurance
- Paying minors
- 2024 federal independent contractor classification rule
Easements
Easements on a piece of property significantly influence how land can be used. Attorney Andrew Marchev and Third-Year Law Student Clinician Veronica Gassert of Three Rivers Law present the different types of easements and common conditions found in each.
Introduction to Cooperatives
Cooperatives as a business structure help maximize resources and distribute profits equally among members. They can also foster a strong community since members work and vote alongside each other. This webinar, presented by attorney Erika Dunyak of Vermont Law and Graduate School, reviews the different types of cooperatives and what to consider before filing.
Branding Best Practices
As a small business owner, you want to develop and protect your brand, but you don’t yet have the funds to file for trademark protection. In this webinar, Attorney Christina Licursi of Wolf Greenfield covers steps you can take to have some level of protection from the beginning as well as when to take the plunge and file for protection.
Selling Value-Added Products on the Farm
If you are a farmer interested in opening a farmstand on your property, this webinar will teach you about key federal, state and local regulations that impact small food producers who seek to make and sell value-added products from home. We will cover what’s allowed when selling meat, eggs, dairy, cottage foods such as pickles and baked goods, and more, and explore the legal solutions that can help these businesses grow and thrive.
Presenter: Legal Services Specialist, Christine Dzujna, of Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund
Onboarding New Employees
Congratulations! Your small business is ready to hire your first employees. This is both an exciting and daunting process. Luckily, we have Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur Portland, Maine who will walk you through this process. They will cover common legal traps for the hiring manager in the hiring and interview process, she will provide a checklist of best practices, and recommended documentation for your new employees.
Presenters: Attorneys Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur
Media and Marketing 101
As a small business, you are likely using emails, text, and social media to advertise your business and communicate with your customers. You may also have your own webpage spotlighting customer reviews and other content. With all these forms of social media and communication comes a web of laws that are difficult to navigate. During this webinar, a team of attorneys from Bernstein Shur will help you detangle these laws. We will cover topics such as email, text, and social media marketing, claim substantiation, website policies, the proper use of logos and other copyrighted material, endorsements, testimonials, and customer reviews, and other hot topics in advertising law.
Presenters: Attorneys Elliot Brake, Kevan Lee Deckelmann, Chad W. Higgins, Matthew J. Saldaña
Hosting a Food Focused Event: The Legal Side of a Delicious Activity
Hosting an event with food on your farm is a great way to gather your community, educate the public about farming, and grow your business. Watch this webinar to learn about next steps to safely and legally offer samples, host a tasting, farm to table meal, or other event with food on your farm. During the session you will hear from Corie Pierce, owner of Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont and regular host of burger nights. You will also hear from Andrew Marchev, Legal Fellow at the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems and Lisa Chase, Agritourism Expert at University of Vermont Extension.
Presenters: Corie Pierce, Bread and Butter Farm Vermont, Dr. Lisa Chase, University of Vermont, Attorney Andrew Marchev, Fellow at Vermont Law School
Laws of the Land: What to Know About Your Farm BEFORE You Commit
You’ve heard the phrase ‘location, location, location’ when it comes to choosing a home. It’s no different for farmers when choosing a site for their farm business. All sites come with unique conditions that impact the farm’s viability, including physical characteristics, zoning restrictions, federal and state permitting requirements, and pre-existing third-party rights of neighbors, landlords, tenants, easement holders, or lenders. This webinar will cover the who, what, how, where, and most importantly, why, of identifying the unique characteristics and regulatory requirements tied to your future farm property before you sign on the dotted line.
Presenters: Attorneys Laura Hartz and Stacey Caulk of Drummond Woodsum
Your Legal Toolkit for Starting a Farm
When you’re starting a farm business, there are lots of important legal issues to consider, from what type of business entity you’ll form to how to protect yourself from liability and plan for the future. This comprehensive webinar will equip farmers with the legal know-how to tackle these key decisions and start off on a strong legal footing.
Employment Law for Maine Farmers
Navigating employment laws on your farm can be a challenging task. This webinar will help Maine farmers understand how to handle various workers on your farm, including WOOFers, volunteers, and CSA workers.
Presenter: Tom Trenholm, Drummond Woodsum.