By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
April 11, 2025
Fast facts:
- Session will provide practical ag bankruptcy considerations
- Downey Brand LLP partner Jamie Dreher will lead the session
- Conference registration, including livestream, is online
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Caught between higher interest rates and net income at a four-year low, more farmers are turning to Chapter 11 and 12 relief, with U.S. farm bankruptcy filings rising 55 percent between 2023-24 — a trend with larger implications for attorneys, lenders, agribusinesses and others in agriculture.
U.S. courts reported 216 farm bankruptcies were filed in 2024, according to a report from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“Unfortunately, financial distress and bankruptcies have become more common in light of the overall ag economy,” said Jamie Dreher, partner/chair of Litigation at California-based law firm Downey Brand LLP. “The ag industry across the western states and elsewhere is likely to continue facing significant headwinds through the next year, adding to the financial uncertainty.”
Dreher will present the session “Dealing with Farm Debt in the West: Practical Considerations in Preparing for and Navigating Ag Bankruptcy” at the 3rd Annual Western Water, Ag, and Environmental Law Conference, which will be held June 19-20 in Reno, Nevada. The conference focuses on timely legal and policy issues directly relevant to the agriculture and food industry in Western states and is designed for attorneys, students, and other ag industry professionals.
Dreher’s session will explore issues that arise for farmers and agricultural businesses when navigating Chapter 12 and Chapter 11 bankruptcies, from both debtor-operator and creditor perspectives.
“The session will review common issues that arise for growers, processors, and lenders in these situations,” Dreher said. “Additionally, we’ll take a look at insolvency related issues, including ranch and farm foreclosures, as well as priority and enforcement and security interests in crops, water rights, and equipment.”
The Western is hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation, or NASDA Foundation.
NALC Director Harrison Pittman said the Western conference provides stakeholders with valuable information and resources they can utilize, whether it be in the legal field or beyond.
“Downey Brand LLP has been a great friend to the NALC, including being a Founding Supporter of our newsletter, The Feed,” Pittman said. “We’re honored Downey Brand will again be a big part of this annual program. Jamie is highly regarded in this area, and particularly adept at walking through these issues in a relevant way even for those who don’t work in this area day-to-day.”
To read the full news release, click here.