FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) has announced the dates for its much-anticipated Mid-South and Western Agricultural and Environmental Law Conferences, set to take place in June 2025. These events aim to provide a platform for legal professionals and industry stakeholders to engage with pressing agricultural and environmental issues.
The Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will be hosted at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law on June 5-6, marking its 12th year of operation. Meanwhile, the Western Water, Ag, and Environmental Law Conference will occur at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada, on June 19-20. Both conferences will also offer livestream options, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Harrison Pittman, director of the NALC, emphasized the importance of these conferences as networking and educational opportunities. “These conferences are great networking and learning opportunities,” he stated. “Both have a unique blend of leading experts who deliver practical, relevant information to attorneys, students, and other ag industry professionals in attendance.” The events are designed to cater to a diverse audience, including public and private sector attorneys, students, farmer leaders, water professionals, and policymakers.
One of the significant topics on the agenda for both conferences is the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the Chevron doctrine, which has far-reaching implications for agency authority in agricultural and environmental law. At the Mid-South conference, Grant Ballard, a partner at Ark Ag Law, and John Dillard, a principal at OFW Law, will lead a session titled “Shifting Sands: Agency Authority, Ag, & Food in a Post-Chevron World.” Pittman noted the long-term impact of this ruling, stating, “The impact of the SCOTUS decision regarding the Chevron doctrine will be felt years down the line.” The presenters bring extensive experience from their backgrounds with the USDA, EPA, and FDA, making them well-equipped to address the complexities of this topic.
In addition to the Chevron doctrine, the Mid-South conference will cover a variety of other critical issues, including solar leases and development, agricultural land transactions, and a mid-year review of legal developments impacting the region. Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward is set to deliver the keynote address during the annual “Early Bird” virtual event, which will take place shortly before the in-person gathering.
The Western conference will also tackle vital subjects, including the role of state agriculture departments. This panel will be moderated by Ward, who is also the 2024-2025 president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. He will be joined by Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture, and Jeff Witte, director and secretary of agriculture for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Furthermore, attendees can expect discussions on water issues, federal legislative updates, and sessions focused on legal ethics.
A particularly noteworthy session at the Western conference will be presented by Robert Frommer and Joshua Windham from the Institute for Justice, who will explore Fourth Amendment rights in the context of agriculture, specifically addressing warrantless searches of private lands. This topic is increasingly relevant as agricultural practices intersect with privacy rights and regulatory scrutiny.
Both conferences will offer continuing legal education credits, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, reinforcing their value to professionals in the field. As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, these conferences will serve as critical forums for discussion, education, and collaboration among those dedicated to navigating the complexities of agricultural law and environmental policy. For more detailed information about the conferences, interested parties can visit the NALC website.