A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties to exchange something of value. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to transfer any of these in the future. Contracts serve several important purposes, including formalizing relationships, outlining legal obligations, and providing a record of rights and responsibilities. This guide will explain what is needed to form a contract and the different types of contracts.
Language: English
Food Safety Liability Basics
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.
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.
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.
Farmland Leases
While many farm leases are done with a handshake, this practice is not a good idea because there is no written agreement in the event of a disagreement between the parties. A well-written lease agreement will make the lease terms clear and leave less opportunity for misunderstanding and reduces the likelihood of a potential conflict between a landowner and a farmer.
Key Governing Documents for a Nonprofit Organization
There are three primary documents that govern the operations of a nonprofit organization:
(1) articles of incorporation,
(2) bylaws, and
(3) conflict of interest policy.
This legal guide introduces each of these documents and identifies key elements that you should consider as you are preparing governing documents for your organization.
Alternative Ways to Buy The Farm
This Guide explores the following alternative ways to purchase farmland:
- Seller-financed land acquisition
- Purchase by installments
- Lease with an option to purchase.
Farm Succession Advising: An Attorney Training Guide
Among beginning (and other) farmers’ biggest challenges is accessing land, including land and farms in the hands of older farmers. Therefore, how those farmers transition their farms to the next generation (family or unrelated) is of utmost importance. Land For Good’s Training Guide provides attorneys with solid legal background material and technical tools to use in assisting farmer clients to develop their farm succession plans.
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.
Labeling Your Food Product
Small food businesses and farms with value-added processing often sell their products locally, but understanding the Food and Drug Administration’s rules for labeling those products can be challenging. This webinar will prepare you to feel confident creating a food label and selling your product.
Presenters: Rachel Gartner & Zac Maciejewski, Faegre, Drinker Biddle and Reath.
Regulations and Insurance for CT Food Businesses
The Yale Law School Ludwig Center for Community & Economic Development provides legal services to clients to promote economic opportunity. The clinic has assisted affordable housing developers, community development financial institutions, farms and farmer’s markets, and many other clients to increase access to resources and break down economic barriers. Paul Healy is a second-year law student and member of the Clinic. His legal interests include startup financing and urban development. He also holds a master’s degree in Economics from Oxford University. Bessie Bauman is a third-year undergraduate and research assistant to the Clinic. Her legal interests include welfare law and urban development.
Legal Requirements for CT Food Businesses
Paul Healy and Bessie Bauman of the Yale Law School Ludwig Center for Community & Economic Development provide information on legal issues relevant to Connecticut food businesses. This webinar addresses:
- Forming a business entity
- Food licensing requirements
- Employment and immigration rules
- Tax filings
Legal Requirements for CT Food Businesses
Paul Healy and Bessie Bauman of The Yale Law School Ludwig Center for Community & Economic Development provide information on legal issues relevant to Connecticut food businesses. This guide addresses:
- Forming a business entity
- Food licensing requirements
- Employment and immigration rules
- Tax filings
Regulations and Insurance for CT Food Businesses
The Yale Law School Ludwig Center for Community & Economic Development provides legal services to clients to promote economic opportunity. The clinic has assisted affordable housing developers, community development financial institutions, farms and farmer’s markets, and many other clients to increase access to resources and break down economic barriers. This powerpoint was developed by Paul Healy and Bessie Bauman. Paul Healy is a second-year law student and member of the Clinic. His legal interests include startup financing and urban development. He also holds a master’s degree in Economics from Oxford University. Bessie Bauman is a third-year undergraduate and research assistant to the Clinic. Her legal interests include welfare law and urban development.
You can watch the webinar where these slides were presented HERE.