Webinar: Adding Value to Farm Products

Mar 10, 2014 (All day)

Farm Commons, an organization that provides business legal services to farmers and created legal education resources, is hosting eight different free webinars this winter on a variety of legal issues faced by farmers who sell direct to consumers. Registration is now open for all webinars. If you coordinate newsletters, listservs, or other outreach avenues, I would love your help in letting farmers know about these events. 

 

Register at www.farmcommons.org/webinars

 

Overview of Farm Legal Issues

Learn about the most pressing legal issues encountered by direct-to-consumer and organic farm operations. Beginning farmers will learn how to set up a strong farm business and established farmers will learn ways to make their business more resilient. Attendees will be able to spot legal issues and understand the initial steps to resolve them. 

December 2, 2013, 6pm CST

 

Community Supported Agriculture Legal Issues 

CSA farms are developing a truly innovative business model that promises to change the way consumers think about food. But, this innovation comes with some interesting legal issues. We will discuss the complex employment law, insurance, zoning, and volunteer worker legal issues encountered through CSA. Farmers will learn how to move forward in addressing these concerns.

December 17, 2013, 6pm CST

 

Hosting On-farm Events

On-farm events are a great way to build support in the community. And, they’re a lot of fun! But as the saying goes, it’s always fun until someone loses an eye. Make sure your farm isn’t left with the short end of the stick after a good-intentioned event goes bad. From zoning compliance to guest injuries and serving prepared food, we’ll work through a checklist of things a farm should address before hosting an event. 

January 13, 2014, 6pm CST

 

Workers and Employees

Farming is a lot of work, and help is often needed. Should a farm work with volunteers, trade labor for food, or hire employees? This webinar will explore the options and guide farmers through the legal considerations. Checklists, flowcharts, and model documents will help attendees move forward after they’ve decided on the best approach for their farm.

January 28, 2014, 6pm CST

 

Selling Products to Larger Buyers

Now that hospitals, food service operations, and grocery stores have caught on to the merits of local food, farmers are learning how to work with these operations. A good relationship between buyer and seller is key to making these sales worthwhile. Learn how the right sales agreement can help keep everyone happy. Also, learn how to protect the farm business if the relationship goes south.

February 10, 2014, 6pm CST

 

Starting a Farm

A beginning farmer has to find financing, lease or buy land, coordinate equipment, establish a website, and so much more, all while growing crops or raising livestock. The legal issues abound, but this webinar will help beginning farmers understand the fundamental issues that should demand attention while the farm gets started. 

February 25, 2014, 6pm CST

 

Adding Value to Farm Products

Although starting a processing operation, improving packaging, and developing new products are great ways to make the farm more profitable, these activities have a huge legal impact. Employment laws, liability potential, state/federal regulations, and tax factors all change when a farm begins to process product. Farms relying on cottage food laws should make sure to attend- we’ll talk about what these laws do not do to protect farms.

March 10, 2014, 6pm CDT

 

Food Safety Liability and Regulations

We’ve been hearing all about the upcoming regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act. But, as important as it is, farm liability for food safety goes beyond this new law. Learn all the latest on how farms can comply with the FSMA as it goes into effect and how they can protect their operations from liability in general.

March 25, 6pm CDT

 

Webinars are offered through a platform that does not require any additional software or downloads. They will be simple to access. Those without an internet connection will be able to listen to the presentation over the phone.