The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) has been actively engaging stakeholders through a series of informative webinars that address pressing issues in agricultural and food law. Recent sessions have delved into diverse topics ranging from agrivoltaics to the right to repair in agriculture, reflecting NALC’s commitment to fostering knowledge and dialogue within the agricultural community.
Drew Viguet, NALC Communications & Special Projects Coordinator, highlighted the organization’s mission to cover a wide array of current and emerging issues affecting agriculture. “Our goal is for NALC webinars to cover a wide variety of current and emerging agricultural and food law issues to help inform NALC stakeholders throughout the U.S.,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. This initiative is particularly beneficial for students and their mentors, with the webinar series including a “Growing Careers” component aimed at helping students navigate their professional paths in agricultural law.
One of the standout events was the recent webinar featuring USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. In this session, part of the “Growing Careers” series, Torres Small shared insights from her career journey, emphasizing the importance of legal expertise in various roles within the USDA. She was joined by colleagues Gray Harris and Scott Marlow, who also offered career advice and engaged with attendees in a lively Q&A session.
The NALC is not just focused on current topics; it is also looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities. As part of their outreach, they are preparing for 2025 and actively seeking input from producers, attorneys, and other stakeholders on relevant topics. “We are already gearing up for 2025 and, as always, welcome input from producers, attorneys, and others throughout the agricultural community on topics that would be helpful to them,” Pittman noted. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the NALC Stakeholder Survey available online, and suggestions for future webinars can be submitted via email.
Upcoming webinars include a session on “State Approaches to Clearing Title to Heirs Property,” which addresses the challenges faced by BIPOC communities regarding land ownership. This issue is particularly pressing in the southern United States, where properties often pass down through generations without clear title, complicating ownership and management. Scheduled for November 20, the webinar will feature experts Jesse Richardson and Jill Apter, who will share findings from a comprehensive 50-state survey on best practices for resolving heirs property issues.
Past webinars have also tackled critical subjects such as equine activity and agritourism statutes, where NALC Senior Staff Attorney Rusty Rumley provided strategies for risk management, and the implications of the right to repair in agriculture, which was discussed by Ross Pifer from Penn State. These sessions not only inform but also empower agricultural producers to make informed decisions regarding their operations.
The NALC’s “Western Water” Webinar Series is another initiative aimed at addressing specific regional concerns, with the first installment focusing on groundwater recharge projects. This series will continue to explore vital water law topics that resonate with stakeholders in the Western U.S.
As the NALC continues to expand its educational offerings, all webinars are recorded and archived for easy access, ensuring that stakeholders can revisit discussions at their convenience. Participants receive links to the recordings the day following each presentation, facilitating ongoing learning.
For those interested in keeping up with NALC’s initiatives, updates on upcoming webinars can be found on the organization’s website and social media platforms. The NALC remains committed to fostering a well-informed agricultural community through accessible education and engagement, demonstrating the vital role of law in supporting sustainable agricultural practices.