Although the past month has been filled with uncertainty for much of the world, our staff have continued to further the Center’s mission in connecting stakeholders with trusted research and information in agricultural and food law. A compilation of new resources from the month of March is outlined below.

The Deal with Dicamba: Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins is continuing her blog article series dissecting the various lawsuits concerning the chemical herbicide known as dicamba. This month she has published parts five and six. Part Five of the series discusses two claims in the lawsuits that were dismissed before trial, while Part Six looks at three claims brought against Monsanto for alleged violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Find the beginning installments here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four.

Landowner Liability: How to Protect Your Operation: Our most recent webinar, presented by Senior Staff Attorney Rusty Rumley, discussed landowner liability. This webinar reviewed potential liability issues for landowners, and offered methods of reducing risk on a farming operation, such as insurance options and protection offered by state statutes. A recording of this webinar can be accessed here.

Blog posts:

• Turning the Tides: Judge Finds Lake Erie Bill of Rights Unconstitutional
• Managing Pest Management: Pesticide Assessment Changes for Endangered Species

Call for Research Fellows: We are currently seeking to fill Research Fellowship positions for the summer and fall of 2020. This position involves conducting legal research and writing projects that help further the Center’s mission in delivering agricultural and food law research and information to stakeholders. Requirements include a completed first year of law school and experience in legal research and writing. Find more information on the position and how to apply here.

Outreach

• At the beginning of the month, Center Director Harrison Pittman and Senior Staff Attorneys Rusty and Elizabeth Rumley traveled to Washington, D.C. to provide an agricultural law update to U.S. Senate and House Agricultural Committee staffers. In the update, Center staff addressed recent changes in hemp regulations, the National Environmental Policy Act, environmental laws, and much more.
• Rusty attended the Ag Claims Association’s conference this month, where he presented “From Farm Fields to the Courthouse: Legal Issues Surrounding Pesticide Use”
• Harrison traveled to Macon, Georgia where he attended the Georgia Agricultural Law section annual symposium to provide and agricultural law update.