Land offers both challenges and opportunities in transfer to the next generation. by John H. Lavelle, Attorney at Law One of the defining characteristics of farming is the presence of significant real property. This property is essential to the business, the family, and a way of life. In many ways, a farmer is exactly like…

by Mario Miranda Sazo Over the past five years, many New York fruit farm operations have undergone significant growth. Orchards that used to employ only a handful of people with low-skill horticultural talent now look for more help to meet this demand. Why does one fruit grower always have highly-efficient labor, while other similar farm operations do not? Why are some…

From the Editor: Regardless of your social, political, and religious views, as a farmer you belong to agroup that is a small minority of the US workforce. And as we all know, farming isnot a job, but a lifestyle. When there is not a clock-in and clock-out time, and whenthe farm needs rise and fall…

by Claudia Kenny A farmer manages complexity such as unpredictability in biological systems, changing weather and climate patterns, and ever-changing economic systems.  When multiple stressors pile up, relationships often break down.  Break downs on farm can manifest in many different ways, from debt default to family or employee tension or conflicts. Our business and personal lives are…