AGRICULTURAL LAW

Blethen Berens has a long history of representing farmers and other agriculture-related companies in all areas of law affecting the agriculture industry. We are committed to our farming and rural community. Whether your legal needs are in contracts, taxes, co-ops, ditch and drainage, the environment, farm succession, or litigation, we work with you to resolve your agricultural law needs so you can focus on your farm.

We have experience in the following agriculture-related matters:

  • Litigation of agriculture-related issues in both state and federal court

  • Preparation, negotiation, and enforcement of agricultural contracts

  • Assisting producers with business planning and development issues

  • Agriculture-related tax matters

  • Agriculture business succession and estate planning

  • Environmental law issues affecting agriculture

  • Navigate the complexities of agricultural documents to ensure that your farm is protected.

    Blethen Berens assists clients in the review and preparation of contracts or agreements related to farm or agriculture including purchase or sale agreements, drainage/tile agreements, cash rent leases, flex rent leases, machinery/equipment leases, and options to purchase. We can also help you with rights of first refusal agreements, easements, partnership agreements, and livestock grower agreements.

  • Agriculture-related tax matters are governed by laws that are ever-changing and often complicated.

    Our agricultural law attorneys can assist you with Minnesota and federal estate laws, estate tax exemptions, capital gain income tax planning and basis, gift taxes and exemption and agricultural property tax homestead classification. We take pride in supporting our agriculture industry and farm clients in mitigating these issues. We will partner with your accountants to ensure all tax and agricultural laws are followed in the most advantageous method possible.

  • The values represented by cooperatives are ones of integrity, collaboration, and community support. Blethen Berens shares those values and can help you navigate the co-op law that governs cooperatives.

    The Minnesota statutes regarding cooperatives are lengthy, and a single statute may have 70 or more headings. Our agricultural law attorneys understand the implications of these laws, and can guide you through your legal options. Our firm represents agricultural cooperatives and businesses in employment law, contract drafting, merger/acquisition and litigation related matters.

  • These laws are prescriptive and must be adhered to carefully.

    Our agricultural law attorneys can assist clients in drafting ditch and drainage tile agreements. Blethen Berens also represents clients experiencing ditch, drainage tile and water rights disputes.

  • There are many state and federal guidelines that govern the impact of agriculture on the environment.

    Agriculture or farm clients understand that they need an attorney that can help them address environmental law issues. Blethen Berens will assist clients in livestock permitting matters, drainage issues, CRP/CREP/RIM and other conservation matters and USDA or wetland enforcement matters.

  • Confidently protect your legacy.

    The agricultural law attorneys at Blethen Berens can help you put your farm succession planning into legally enforceable documentation.

    Blethen Berens specializes in innovative ways to pass your farm onto the next generation via trusts/wills, options to purchase, rights of first refusals and leases. We organize family farm entities such as family limited liability companies and family limited partnerships to help preserve the farm for future farming heirs.

  • If confronted with agricultural litigation, our team can support you in achieving the best possible outcomes.

    Our trial experts have extensive experience in farm and agriculture inheritance disputes, will, estate or trust contests, boundary or easement disputes, contract disputes and family farm divorces or family farm partnership disputes.

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