Resources
Last Updated: May 26, 2017
Use this guide to better understand and manage the legal risks of having interns and volunteers working on farms.
Last Updated: Feb 10, 2017
Use this guide to help you determine if your farm workers are employees, interns, volunteers or independent contractors in the eyes of federal law.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to better understand and manage the legal risks of having interns and volunteers working on farms in Pennsylvania.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to better understand and manage the legal risks of having interns and volunteers working on farms in Vermont.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to better understand and manage the legal risks of having interns and volunteers working on farms in New Hampshire.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to help you determine if your farm workers are employees, interns, volunteers or independent contractors in the eyes of Pennsylvania and federal law.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to help you determine if your farm workers are employees, interns, volunteers or independent contractors in the eyes of Vermont and federal law.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this guide to help you determine if your farm workers are employees, interns, volunteers or independent contractors in the eyes of New Hampshire and federal law.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Pennsylvania.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Vermont.
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2017
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in New Hampshire.
Last Updated: Nov 23, 2016
Pick up legal background, hints, and ideas for successfully working with inspectors and government agents as they write, apply, and enforce regulations on farms (especially diversified farm businesses).
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2016
A federal payroll tax exemption is available to farmers who pay their workers in-kind wages. Use this guide to determine if this exemption is available and to understand the risks involved.
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2016
Use this guide to determine if by providing housing to your workers, the farm is subject to the federal Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and, if so, the legal requirements for compliance.
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2016
Use this guide to determine if by providing housing to your workers, the farm could be subject to enforcement actions under the federal Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) and, if so, what the legal requirements are for compliance.
Last Updated: Aug 17, 2016
Draft a strong CSA Member Agreement that will help accomplish your farm goals while creating legal stability for your operation with this workbook.
Last Updated: Jun 29, 2016
This Workbook offers an overview of legal considerations for long-term leases that address key particularities of agroforestry.
Last Updated: Jun 15, 2016
Learn how to assess and manage the unique legal risks (from zoning to securities law to volunteers and more) that CSA farms across the country encounter by using this workbook.
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Ohio.
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Minnesota.
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Illinois.
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork legal necessities for hiring a farm employee in Iowa.
Last Updated: Aug 9, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork process for hiring a farm employee in Michigan.
Last Updated: Mar 31, 2016
Learn how to negotiate terms and solidify committed sales in wholesale markets with this workbook.
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This Michigan-specific tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
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This Ohio-specific tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
Last Updated: Mar 25, 2016
Learn the what, why and how of forming a Cooperative for a farm operation. Excerpted from the full resource: Farmer's Guide to Choosing a Business Entity.
Last Updated: Mar 24, 2016
Learn the what, why and how of forming an S Corporation for a farm operation. Excerpted from the full resource: Farmer's Guide to Choosing a Business Entity.
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This Iowa-specific tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
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This Illinois-specific tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
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This Wisconsin-specific tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
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This Minnesota-focused tutorial will break down employment law concerns such as minimum wage, workers’ compensation and overtime, independent contractors, and more.
Last Updated: Mar 11, 2016
Learn the what, why and how of forming a C Corporation for a farm operation. Excerpted from the full resource: Farmer's Guide to Choosing a Business Entity.
Last Updated: Mar 9, 2016
Explore the benefits, challenges, and legal considerations of common farm business market channels.
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Learn the legal ins and outs of unique sales arrangements for product, labor and services ahead of production.
Last Updated: Mar 3, 2016
Learn the key insights and skills necessary to navigate the negotiation and drafting process of a legal agreement.
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Develop clear communication with your buyers through informal contracts, ensure you get paid, and learn what you can do if things do go wrong.
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Join us to explore what the finalized regulations of FSMA could mean for your farm business, as well as other important food safety issues.
Last Updated: May 6, 2016
Determine if your farm must comply with the new Food Safety Modernization Act rules.
Last Updated: Jan 28, 2016
Learn the risks and benefits of sole proprietorships and general partnerships for farm businesses. This is part of the full resource: Farmer's Guide to Choosing a Business Entity.
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Want to work with interns, apprentices or volunteesr on your farm and stay within the bounds of the law? This tutorial is for you!
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Learn how to choose (and manage) the right business entity for your farm operation.
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2016
Learn the what, why and how of forming an LLC for a farm operation. Excerpted from the full resource: Farmer's Guide to Business Entities.
Last Updated: Dec 29, 2015
This flowchart will help farmers choose a business entity for their farm.
Last Updated: Dec 29, 2015
Learn what a land contract is, how it works, and what you need to write one, all here in this toolbox. The guide walks through the legal elements while the checklist and sample contract help farmers move forward with their own situation.
Last Updated: Dec 29, 2015
In this toolbox for creating a promissory note, readers will learn the essentials of promissory notes through a guide, checklist, example situation, and sample promissory note with explanatory annotations.
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In this tutorial we will cover common insurance options and how to navigate them to find the right policy for your farm.
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Beginning farmers will get an overview of the many legal issues to be aware of when starting out. This tutorial serves as an introduction to the legal subjects that Farm Commons covers in our tutorials and guides.
Last Updated: Dec 11, 2015
In this detailed guide, learn all about the business entity options available to farmers: Sole proprietorships/Partnerships, LLC's, C Corporations, S Corporations, Nonprofits, and Co-ops.
Last Updated: Nov 23, 2015
Learn the basic components of a lease for an incubator farm program. Includes a sample lease, equipment manual, and animal husbandry manual.
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This short tutorial will help you navigate the Farm Commons website and your user account.
Last Updated: Oct 22, 2015
Learn about the general structure of farm employment law in the United States and how to make the rules work for your farm business.
Last Updated: Aug 19, 2015
Are you a farmer in Wisconsin who sells fresh fruits and vegetables directly to consumers? This guide is for you! It details the rules and regulations that directly regulate the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables in Wisconsin.
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2016
Learn about the legal implications and nuances of 7 common strategies for financing the purchase of farmland.
Last Updated: Aug 17, 2015
Understand the common risks inherent in farming and learn options for managing them while protecting your farm business.
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2015
This checklist provides issues to consider and questions for farmers and landowners to ask when developing their own farmland lease.
Last Updated: Aug 5, 2015
For many farmers, selling the farm product isn't the right choice. For some, selling the farmer's labor provides more security. Learn about the possibilities with this resource.
Last Updated: Aug 5, 2015
Learn how to adjust the sales documents that you already use to build strong sales relationships and create agreements that will hold up in court.
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Learn what it takes to host effecitve, enjoyable food service on your farm with this tutorial (Specific to Wisconsin)
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Learn what it takes to host effecitve, enjoyable food service on your farm with this tutorial. (Specific to Minnesota)
Last Updated: Jun 3, 2015
Learn about the various business entity options available for educational farms. Includes a case study and entity comparison chart.
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Learn about the unique legal dynamics of a CSA operation and what you can do to protect your farm.
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Learn about the legal aspects of adding value to farm products, including employment law and liability.
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An in-depth discussion on complex CSA sales and employment matters, as well as unique CSA programs.
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Learn how to choose (and manage!) the right business entity for your farm operation.
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Learn the legal basics when financing farmland, inluding paperwork, language, and exploring untraditional financing opportunities.
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Learn how to build a legally compliant intern or volunteer program for your farm. Advanced follow-up to our basic farm employment law tutorial.
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This tutorial will break down a multitude of employment law regulations for farmers to be aware of.
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Learn how and why farmers should pay attention to the "terms" of their sales and strongly consider writing down sales agreements.
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Learn about about how a food safety incident plays out, from lawsuits to recalls and contract breaches, and hear about ways you can protect yourself.
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Learn the components to include in a strong lease as well as negotiating tactics and various laws affecting farmland leases.
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Go through a checklist of things a farm should address before hosting an event.
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Beginning farmers will get a preview of the many legal issues they should consider when just starting out with farming.
Last Updated: May 7, 2014
Added value production is legally different than farm production. Learn how to address the differences and risks with this document.
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2014
Food safety incidences can happen to even the best farmers. Learn how to reduce the risk of such an event with this guide.
Last Updated: Mar 17, 2014
Our webinar on the legal issues that need consideration when starting value-added production boiled down into a simple list of recommendations.
Last Updated: Jul 3, 2014
Set up for success with the a clear sales agreement that helps meet farm goals.
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2014
Determine if the federal PACA might be available to resolve a sales issue.
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2014
Why and how should a farmer draft an employee handbook? Find answers here.
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2014
Want all of Farm Commons' resources on employees boiled down into a simple list of recommendations? You got it. Here it is.
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2014
Want all of Farm Commons' resources on On-Farm Events boiled down into a simple list of recommendations? Here it is!
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2014
Manage the initial paperwork and tax obligations when hiring the farm's first employee with this checklist.
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2014
Prevent legal issues from developing over your farm event by considering the steps highlighted in this guide.
Last Updated: Aug 10, 2016
Use this checklist to understand the basic state and federal paperwork necessities when hiring a farm employee in Wisconsin.