Agriculture/PACA

This panel will cover the unique issues faced by debtors and creditors when navigating financial distress and reorganization in the family farming and agricultural industry. In particular, the panelists will discuss current economic forces and filing trends, the material differences between chapter 12 and other forms of reorganization and how these differences guide a debtor’s filing decision, non-bankruptcy federal and state law governing lien creation, perfection and priority, and asset-tracing and uncovering fraud.Learning Objectives:Attendees will understand the eligibility requirements and key statutory features of Chapter 12, including the application of "family farmer" definitions.Attendees will analyze plan feasibility in Chapter 12 cases in light of commodity price volatility, rising input costs, and changing interest rates.Attendees will evaluate the treatment of secured claims and recent case law developments, and identify practical strategies for representing both debtors and agricultural lenders.

This session will present a concise, market‑focused look at distress in agricultural real estate. The panelists will define the scope of the ag sector, outline current market conditions, and identify the major drivers and asset types experiencing pressure. The discussion will cover distress pathways, valuation challenges, and the legal and regulatory factors shaping outcomes. Attendees will also gain insights into the roles of lenders and institutions, investor strategies and opportunities, key risks, and what the near‑term outlook suggests for stakeholders across the ag real estate landscape.Learning Objectives:Attendees will learn to:Identify the major asset types, market drivers and distress pathways currently affecting agricultural real estate across different regions.Apply specialized valuation methodologies and assess legal and regulatory factors unique to distressed agricultural property transactions.Evaluate investor strategies, institutional lender roles, and risk factors in agricultural real estate restructurings and workouts.

Hosted by The Legislation Committee Given the huge increase in filings lately and the increase in the debt limit after the passage of the Family Farmer Relief Act, the webinar would like to provide more information to consumer and small business lawyers who might be interested in expanding into Chapter 12 practice.

This panel will discuss growers, processors, retailers and restaurants, especially fast casual (e.g., Chipotle), and the distress occurring along the entire “food chain.” How are changing consumer preferences driving this distress, including those of the Millennial generation?