Experts to Explore Market and Legal Shifts in Land Ownership

By Andi Anderson

Two major agricultural law conferences will spotlight the latest developments in farmland markets and legal practices across the United States. These sessions aim to help landowners, investors, and legal professionals better understand the changing landscape of agricultural land ownership.

Peoples Company representatives Dave Muth, Director of Capital Markets, and Quinn Kendrick, General Counsel, will lead discussions at both the Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference and the Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference. Their presentations will focus on current agricultural land transactions, highlighting key market shifts and legal challenges.

At the Mid-South event, the session is titled “Ag Land Transactions in the Mid-South: Update on Market & Legal Trends”. A similar presentation, adjusted for the Western U.S., will be held during the Western conference. Both events are hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation.

Peoples Company, based in Iowa, provides land brokerage, management, appraisals, and auction services nationwide. The sessions led by Muth and Kendrick will address essential topics like the impact of changing market dynamics, ecosystem service licensing, ownership restrictions, and legal concerns such as distressed assets and liability limitations.

“As market dynamics shift and regulatory changes continue, landowners, investors, and agricultural professionals must stay informed to navigate these complexities,” said Kendrick. “By discussing both the market and legal side, we can paint a full picture for attorneys, lenders, producers, and others on what to expect regarding ag land transactions,” said Muth.

The Mid-South “Early Bird” online session will take place on May 14 for those registered by May 13. The main conference follows on June 5–6 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Western conference will be held on June 19–20 in Reno, Nevada, with a livestream option available.

Both conferences offer continuing legal education (CLE) credits and continuing education credits from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

For more details and registration, visit:
Mid-South Conference: nationalaglawcenter.org/midsouth2025
Western Conference: nationalaglawcenter.org/legaleducation

Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey