Build up a farm’s resiliency, producer confidence through Illinois legal series webinars

[October 04, 2024]     Being proactive about the decisions of any farming operation reduces risk, increases resiliency, impacts profitability, and equips producers with the confidence to run their farms. Understanding legal issues can dispel anxiety and help farmers realize their power to control their circumstances.

The Legal Series for Illinois Small Farms webinar series returns to continue assisting farmers with the tools and resources needed to answer to the needs of their farms. Whether in grain, livestock, specialty crops, or hobby farms, everyone can strengthen their business through sessions and tools provided by University of Illinois Extension local food systems and small farms in partnership with Farm Commons.

Farm Commons is a nonprofit organization that assists farmers in solving business law challenges in a community of support. Farm Commons staff will lead each interactive session with time for questions from participants.

Upcoming series sessions include:

Business Structure Basics | Oct. 22, 7 p.m.

In the first session of the series, producers will learn how to apply straightforward decision-making factors to a situation. The webinar walks through the tax advantages and business practices and focuses on preventing problems with good governance. Whether just starting out or an established farm on the land for a few decades, this webinar will help anyone chart the next steps. Register at go.illinois.edu/BusinessStructureBasics.

Forming an LLC | Dec. 16, 7 p.m.

Producers are often curious about the details of an LLC. Most farmers choose the LLC as their preferred business structure and the good news is that forming one is quite simple. At the same time, farmers and ranchers need to know a few keys to ensure they get the benefits they expect from this entity. Join for a quick recap of why an LLC is a good risk management tool before going into how to form one, the best practices for implementation, and regular obligations to keep the LLC in top legal shape. Farmers who have had an LLC for years can learn a few things about preserving their resilience. Register at go.illinois.edu/FormingAnLLC.

Land Leasing Basics | March 17, 2025, 7 p.m.

Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may only think about the lease itself once things go wrong. Prevent problems with a strong lease while building a path to a resilient future. Leasing basics will help to understand what a lease should include and how to put it in writing. Get started with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to create a strong document that works for individual needs, whether you are a landowner, rancher, or farmer. Register at go.illinois.edu/LandLeasingBasics.

Farm Property Insurance | June 23, 2025, 7 p.m.

Running a farm or ranch operation often depends on buildings, equipment, vehicles, and supplies for day-to-day success. If these valuable resources are lost or damaged, it can be devastating to profitability.

Different types of property insurance can help address this risk, but only if the farmer clearly understands how these products work. Learn the basics of farm property insurance and what it covers in the final session of the webinar series. Register at go.illinois.edu/FarmPropertyInsurance.

There is no cost to register for the series. Each session begins at 7 p.m. and lasts for one hour. Individuals just starting out or have farmed for years can learn tips to strengthen their legal confidence in running a farming operation.

For series questions or if you will need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Nikki Keltner at [e-mail], 815-235-4125. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

ABOUT FARM COMMONS: Farm Commons is a national nonprofit organization specializing in legal education for farmers. Our mission is to empower farmers to resolve their own business law issues within an ecosystem of support. Through education, leadership development, and community-based problem-solving around business law, agricultural communities become stronger and more resilient. The result is a legacy of sustainable farms and a community-based food system for everyone. At Farm Commons, paperwork is powerful.

ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu.

[SOURCES/WRITERS: Grant McCarty, local food systems and small farms educator, Illinois Extension; Farm Commons series media kit.
EDITOR: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension]