1. Michigan State University College of Law
Urban Food, Farm &
Agricultural Law Practicum
Workshop Booklet
Power Exchange: From The Law to The Farmer
Legal Planning and Implementation for Your Farm and Garden
Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference
Brooklyn, New York - November 2013

2. Power Exchange: From The Law to the Farmer
Legal Planning and Implementation for Your Farm and Garden
The law has historically been used to suppress the power and sovereignty of black
farmers and gardeners. Legal options exist to help farmers and gardeners create,
secure, and develop agricultural activities; however, these options are not readily
accessible, and those with access to this information do not always know how to
apply it to their individual needs. Our workshop addresses how to: select the
appropriate legal structure, benefit from conventional and innovative land use
arrangements, interpret common contractual provisions contained within food
system agreements, use intellectual property protection to build brand recognition,
and determine whether national compliance and certification options are
appropriate for a particular entity. Participants will leave with a resource book
crafted by attorneys and supervised law students containing worksheets, sample
documents, and guides that will help participants draft a legal plan to protect their
hard work, and insure their community relationships are transparent, legal, and rest
upon solid ground.
AGENDA
Introductions: Legal Information vs. Legal Advice (2 min)
Logic of Legal Planning for Urban and Rural Farmers and Gardeners (2
min); PRG 2, 13, 40, 47, 56
Selecting the Appropriate Legal Structure (5-7 min); WH
Planning and Applying for Tax Exempt Status (5 min); WH
Conventional and Innovative Land Use Arrangements (5 min); PRG 28, 50,
59, WH
Common Contracts Within Farm and Garden Activities (5-7 min); WH
Building Brand Recognition Through Intellectual Property Protections (5
min); WH
Federal, State and Local Regulation of Agriculture (2 min); PRG 13, 28, 47,
58, WH
Determining Whether National Compliance and Certification Options are
Appropriate (5 min); WH
Contact Information for Food and Agriculture Lawyers (2 min); WH
Questions