12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference
June 5-6, 2025
Memphis, Tennessee
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Agriculture in the Mid-South is uniquely impacted by changes and developments in state, federal, and international laws and policies. This program is part of a long-term effort to provide relevant and timely agricultural and environmental legal research and information to attorneys, lenders, accountants, tax consultants, students and other agricultural professionals involved in the agricultural industries in the southern U.S. The goal is to provide resources in the form of presentations and content, as well as to foster dialogue about the range of agricultural, food, and environmental law issues for the Mid-South agricultural community. Additionally, on the evening before (June 5th) conference attendees are invited to network and visit with colleagues as we host a “Beer and BBQ” reception at Rendezvous, a Memphis icon.
This conference will take place in person in Memphis, Tennessee, but will also be live streamed online for attendees who are unable to attend in person. It will feature 6 hours of continuing education, including an hour of ethics. Further, for participants who register by May 13th, 3 “bonus hours” of online continuing education will also be included. More information on continuing education credit is available below.
Conference Date & Time:
Thursday, June 5, 2025: “Beer and BBQ” Networking Dinner
Friday, June 6, 2025: Main Program
Conference Location:
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law1 North Front Street |
Live-streamed online for virtual participation |
Conference Agenda
- Conference Keynote: Perspectives on State Ag Departments, Trade, & Ag Industry
- Wes Ward, Secretary, Arkansas Department of Agriculture and 2024-2025 President, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
- Shifting Sands: Agency Authority, Ag, & Food in a Post-Chevron World
- Grant Ballard, Partner, Ark Ag Law
- John Dillard, Principal, OFW Law
- Solar Leases & Development in the Mid-South: Pointers & Pitfalls
- Seth Hampton, Member, Rose Law Firm
- Will Veve, Land Acquisition and Development, DESRI
- Dealing with Debt: Practical Considerations in Preparing for and Navigating Ag Bankruptcy
- Russell Morgan, Morgan Ag Consulting Services
- Renee Williams, Chapter 12 Standing Bankruptcy Trustee, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
- Legal Ethics for Ag Industry Professionals: CFIUS, Foreign Ownership, & National Security
- Asa Hutchinson, 46th Governor of Arkansas; Former Under Secretary, DHS; Founder, Asa Hutchinson Law Group
- Halfway There: Mid-Year Mid-South Review of Legal Developments
- Elizabeth Rumley, Senior Staff Attorney, National Ag Law Center
- Brigit Rollins, Staff Attorney, National Ag Law Center
- Groundwater Law & Agriculture in the Mid-South: Taking Stock of the Road Ahead
- Edward Swain, Executive Director, Bayou Meto Water Management District
- Update from the Potomac: Farm Bill, Ag Trade, EPA, & Related Federal Issues
- Fitzhugh Elder IV, Republican Staff Director, U.S. Senate Ag Committee
Registration:
Cost:
Attendees seeking continuing education credit (CLE/CE): $275
Government employees: $225
Other attendees, not seeking professional credit: $200
Undergraduate or Law Students: $75
Sponsorships:
- Contact NALC Director Harrison Pittman for more information at hmpittm@uark.edu.
Lodging:
- Organizers have not reserved a conference block of rooms, but several hotels are located across the street from or within a block of the law school. Click here for a map.
Continuing Education:
For the June 6th conference:
- Legal- This program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers: This program will be submitted for CE accreditation
For the “bonus” online CLE on May 14th:
- Legal- This program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
- American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers: This program will be submitted for CE accreditation
Attendees routinely apply for continuing education credit in other states or for other professions. For more information and assistance, email Rusty Rumley.
Conference Materials:
- Coming soon
Bonus CLE Materials:
- Coming soon