Quarterly Update – September 2017

The workshops will focus on the farm succession process, including communication, business planning, estate planning basics, and tax basics.

“Beginning the farm succession process can be challenging and full of difficult discussions with family members.  These workshops will provide producers with an overview of the topic and the basic tools to begin the discussion with family members and others active in the farm,” said Paul Goeringer, Extension legal specialist.

“Although we cannot have the hard conversations for the farm families, participants will walk away with the tools they need to start developing a farm succession plan and prepare the next generation to keep the farming operation successful. We actively encourage all generations on the farm to attend one of these workshops.”

The workshops will be held at:

• Nov. 18: Washington County UME Office
• Nov. 28: Caroline County 4-H Park
• Nov. 29: Wicomico County UME Office
• Jan. 16: Kent County UME Office
• Jan. 17: Deer Creek Overlook at the Harford County 4-H Camp
• Jan. 18: TBA Southern MD
• Jan. 23: TBA Garrett County
• Jan. 30: Frederick County UME Office

To register contact the county University of Maryland Extension offices. Please email umaglaw@umd.edu for additional details or with questions.

By Paul Goeringer, Extension Legal Specialist &  Mayhah Suri, Faculty Specialist

Johnson currently attends the Maryland University of Integrative Health in Laurel, and is earning a master’s in health promotion with a concentration in community health education. “I want to be part of managing some place that works directly with the community and directly supports the community,” said Johnson. Before joining the team, Johnson worked with the community through various positions with local non-profit organizations.

As an undergraduate at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, Nuckolls was not interested in pursuing a career in food and agricultural law.  But “I realized when hosting events there are so many policy changes, and a need for legal officials to help guide,” she said. Nuckolls first heard about ALEI while at the LL.M. program in Agricultural and Food Law at the University of Arkansas. “They (program director Susan Schneider) thought it would be an amazing opportunity for someone who wants to be in food and agricultural law,” said Nuckolls. “There are so many topics ALEI covers, and I like how diverse food and agricultural law can be.” Thus far Nuckolls has focused on projects involving estate planning, succession planning, farm income tax, estate tax, and inheritance tax.

Like Nuckolls, Cook also heard about ALEI from LL.M. Director Schneider while at the University of Arkansas. “She thought I might be interested in the position, and she was right,” said Cook. “It’s really a fantastic opportunity for someone like me who is passionate about all things agriculture because there is the opportunity to learn directly from producers what their needs are and to work to address them in collaboration with all of those important partners.” Cook is focusing her efforts on the needs of growers on the eastern shore, especially small and socially-disadvantaged farmers.

“I changed the focus of my legal practice so I could assist producers with starting, growing, and strengthening their farm businesses in a sustainable way,” said Cook. ALEI welcomes these three dynamic team members on board to help Maryland farm families understand the laws that affect them.

By Sarah Fielder