• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Federal Marketing Orders and Agreements: An Overview Marketing orders and agreements are legal instruments issued by the USDA Secretary that...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Local Food Systems: An Overview   Introduction The term “food system” refers to the overlapping processes that connect the complex spectrum...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Labor – An Overview Background Many complex state and federal laws have been enacted since the depression era in an effort...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

 Forestry: An Overview Background Forestry has been an important part of American industry since the late 1600s and remains so to this...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Food Safety – An Overview   Background The United States food regulatory system has developed piecemeal over the last century, generating...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Food Labeling – An Overview Introduction Governmental intervention in food labeling typically aims to improve human health and safety, support domestic...

• June 4, 2013
• Elizabeth

Finance and Credit – An Overview   Farmers often borrow large amounts of capital and incur sizeable debts in order to...

• June 3, 2013
• Elizabeth

Corporate Farming & Land Ownership Laws – An Overview   Several states regulate or restrict certain ownership interests and investments in...

• June 3, 2013
• Elizabeth

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL): An Overview Background The Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. §§ 1202-1683g, has historically required nearly...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Sustainable Agriculture   Overview While the term “sustainable agriculture” is not clearly defined, most definitions include four basic goals: adequate food...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

 Farm Commodity Programs: An Overview Background The first farm bill was the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. Congress declared its policy...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Climate Change: An Overview Background According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), multiple lines of evidence show that the earth’s climate...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Clean Water Act  Background In 1948, Congress adopted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C §§ 1251-1389. In 1972, that...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

 Urban Encroachment Overview The United States is primarily an urban population living in a rural nation, according to the U.S. Department...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Bankruptcy – An Overview Background Bankruptcy law allows debtors in financial distress to settle their obligations by petitioning a federal court...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Secured Transactions   Overview As agriculture becomes more industrialized, credit becomes more of an integral part of the production process. Lenders...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Aquaculture: An Overview Background Raising aquatic animals for human consumption has been practiced for many centuries. Ancient Chinese records indicate that...

• May 31, 2013
• Elizabeth

Renewable Energy Overview Renewable energy includes many different types of energy sources, such as solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. These...

• May 30, 2013
• Elizabeth

Pesticides   Overview Pesticides are chemical substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate undesirable organisms such as weeds or harmful...

• May 30, 2013
• Elizabeth

Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA)   Overview The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (“PACA”), 7 U.S.C. §§ 499a-499t, was enacted in 1930 to...