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December 2025 Programs—Register Now!
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Friday, December 12, 2025, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding
the Clean Water Act & Ag: Biosolids & Food Processing Waste Land Application
Historically, concerns about applying biosolids to land have focused largely on odor. More recently, however, a new risk has emerged: the potential
for soil and nearby groundwater contamination from elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Additionally, in the Mid-Atlantic region, where residential and agricultural lands often exist side by side, the land application of food processing
waste has become a growing concern due to its increasing use in certain areas and to changing practices among landfills and food and feed processors.
This webinar will explain how the Clean Water Act regulates the land application of biosolids—residual materials generated by wastewater treatment facilities—and
food processing waste—byproducts from the production of human food and animal feed.
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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From 2025 to 2027, Penn State Extension and the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will partner to provide the
AgWorks
Program. This initiative aims to support employers, expand opportunities for workers, and enhance employment conditions throughout the agricultural
sector. As part of the AgWorks program, the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will provide legal consulting and present 20+ employment law programs.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 12:00pm ET via Zoom.
Staying
Compliant with Anti-Discrimination Laws
For more than fifty years, federal and state laws have prohibited discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, age, disability, whistleblower status,
and other protected categories, making compliance essential for every employer. This session strives to equip you with knowledge and resources to assist you in managing your business confidently within the framework of the law and preparing for potential claims.
You will also learn how enforcement works, which agencies are involved, and what proactive steps you can take to foster a fair and legally compliant workplace. An optional second hour will offer the opportunity to ask legal questions and discuss real-world
scenarios with experienced attorneys. Please note: The Ag Law Center provides educational support and resources only and does not offer legal representation.
Please note: AgWorks webinars are open to all, but Attorney CLE is NOT available for these webinars
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This project is funded 100% with federal funds from a US Department of Labor grant totaling $1,325,699.00 and 0%
($0.00) non-federal funds. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.
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Do you know a producer or business who could benefit from AgWorks? Share
these links:
Learn more about
AgWorks
REGISTER
for business consulting
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Upcoming 2026
AgWorks Ag Law Programs
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 12:00pm ET
Wage
and Hour Laws—Requirements & Exemptions
(Ag Law webinar #5)
Paying farm employees can get complicated—are you confident you're doing it right? This AgWorks webinar explains the basic rules for paying workers under both
federal and Pennsylvania wage and hour laws—and how those rules work together. You'll learn how the law determines which businesses and workers are covered, what qualifies as "agricultural work," and which farm jobs may be exempt from certain wage rules. The
session also covers special situations, such as livestock range work and local hand-harvesting jobs. Participants who choose to stay for an optional second hour will have the opportunity to ask attorneys legal questions and talk through real-life examples
from their operations.
Please note: AgWorks webinars are open to all, but Attorney CLE is NOT available for these webinars
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Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12:00pm ET
Wage
and Hour Laws—Calculation & Enforcement
(Ag Law webinar #6)
Understanding wage and hour laws is essential for every employer. During this AgWorks webinar, participants will learn how to ensure fair and compliant pay practices
under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Topics include payment arrangements such as hourly, salary, and piece-rate; applicable exemptions like the executive exemption; and the correct calculation of workweeks, hours worked, and overtime. The session will
also address practical scenarios—including breaks, donning and doffing, and enforcement actions—to help employers reduce risk and maintain compliance. An optional second hour will offer participants the opportunity to ask legal questions and discuss real-world
scenarios with the attorneys.
Please note: AgWorks webinars are open to all, but Attorney CLE is NOT available for these webinars
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Each quarter’s free one-hour webinar covers the legal and regulatory developments in the U.S. dairy industry from the preceding quarter and includes an in-depth look at
a single focus topic of law, regulation, or government policy of interest to dairy professionals of all kinds.
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Tuesday January 27, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Quarterly
Dairy Legal Webinar 4th Quarter 2025
Focus
topic: Dairy Product Standards of Identity—Regulations & Current Issues
This webinar will provide an overview of the historical context and purpose of standards of identity (SOIs) as they apply to dairy and explain
the main regulatory requirements for milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. It will also discuss recent developments, including the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) modernization of the yogurt SOI, FDA's proposed revocation of 18 dairy SOIs, and
challenges related to plant-based alternatives and the use of dairy terms. Additionally, this webinar will review relevant case law concerning plant-based dairy labeling, highlighting disputes over nutritional differences and compliance with SOI requirements.
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Upcoming 2026
Understanding Agricultural Law
Webinars
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Penn State’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, partnering with the
Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), presents “Understanding Agricultural
Law: A Legal Educational Series for General Practice Attorneys and Business Advisors Representing Agricultural and Rural Clients.” This webinar series is specifically tailored to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural
law for attorneys, advisors, and service providers to agricultural producers and agri-businesses.
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Friday, January 23, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of
Pennsylvania’s
Seasonal Farm Labor Law
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, February 27, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of
USDA’s
National Appeals Division
Guest presenter:
Devin Winklosky, Nelson
Mullins
Administrative Judge, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Appeals Division/Office of Hearings and
Appeals, 2020-2025
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, March 27, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of
Right
to Farm Laws
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, April 24, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of the
Renewable
Fuel Standard
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, May 22, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of the
PA
Preferred Program
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, June 26, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of
Agricultural
Vehicle Regulation
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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Friday, July 24, 2026, 12pm ET via Zoom.
Understanding the Basics of
International
Agricultural Trade & Tariffs
1 hour of substantive PACLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no cost to attendees.
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The
Rural Economic Development Clinic is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 semester.
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The
Penn
State Dickinson Law Rural Economic Development Clinic
provides law students with practical legal experience in the food and agricultural sectors. Working under the close supervision of law faculty and staff attorneys who are
licensed Pennsylvania attorneys, student attorneys can provide assistance to farmers and agricultural businesses in a variety of legal matters.
This semester, the clinic is looking to assist farmers and agricultural businesses with legal issues, including the following:
- Compliance with legal requirements in hiring agricultural employees
- The provision of worker housing for agricultural workers including H2A employees
- Agricultural workforce issues involving hourly employees, volunteers, and interns
- Liability protection for agritourism operations
- Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act in agritourism operations and farmers’ market
- Contracts / liability waivers for farm stays, wedding venues, camping, and other recreational activities on farm properties
- Contracts for the sale of agricultural products and services
- Farmers’ market rules or vendor agreements
- Leases for farmland
- Solar leasing issues
To submit your legal issue for consideration for the Spring 2026 Rural Economic Development Clinic, please fill out the form at the link below. Client applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until clinic capacity is reached.
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The Clinic may not be able to provide services to all who request, but we will do our best to serve the greatest number of clients possible, consistent with our resources and the legal expertise of the student attorneys.
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