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Liability a concern for farmers

An ag law specialist says liability is a concern for farmers.

Rachel Armstrong is the executive director of Farm Commons, a non-profit organization helping farmers understand how the law affects them.

“They want to know how they (might) get in trouble if x,y, z happens.  So we talk a lot about that.  How are you going to get in trouble?  What’s the best way to manage those risks?”

She tells Brownfield the answer to that question often comes down to insurance and business entity choices.

“Many of our more innovative farms are doing things like having tours and field days.  Maybe they’re producing a value-added product, selling direct to consumer.  All of that changes the liability landscape that the farm is operating within.  So they need to pay special attention to their insurance coverage, and to their risk exposure.”

Armstrong says Farm Commons works alongside farmers, coaching them on the right questions to ask their insurance agent.

Farm Commons is hosting a Sustainable Farm Law 101 workshop March 2nd at the Good Acre in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.