Kimberton Law represents farmers, agricultural businesses, landowners, and the companies that support Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy.
Business Law for Agricultural Operations
Agricultural businesses take many forms, from family farms and mushroom operations to nurseries, equestrian businesses, growers, producers, and the companies that supply products and services to the agricultural community. We assist these clients with the legal issues that arise throughout the life of a business, including:
- Business formation and restructuring
- LLC and partnership agreements
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Vendor and supply contracts
- Equipment and service agreements
- Commercial and agricultural leases
- Employment and independent contractor agreements
- Business acquisitions and sales
- Ownership and succession issues
- Contract and business disputes
Farms, Families, and Business Ownership
In many agricultural operations, the lines between family assets, business assets, and real estate blur over time. Land may be held by one family member while the farming operation belongs to another entity. Equipment is shared. Several generations take part in the business. Arrangements that worked informally for years can become difficult when an owner retires, a family member leaves, property is sold, or the next generation steps in.
We help clients establish clearer ownership and management structures, document the agreements among owners, and plan for changes in the business before they turn into disputes.
Agricultural Contracts
A farm can depend on dozens of contractual relationships, with suppliers, purchasers, contractors, tenants, landlords, employees, equipment providers, neighboring landowners, and other businesses. We draft, review, and negotiate these agreements with an eye toward terms that are understandable and workable for the operation as it actually runs.
That means addressing the questions that decide how an agreement holds up: who bears the risk when something goes wrong, what happens if performance becomes impossible, how payment is determined, who is responsible for damage or injury, and how the parties can end the relationship if circumstances change.
Agricultural Land and Real Estate
For an agricultural business, the real estate is often its most important asset. We assist with farm and land purchases, leases, easements, access agreements, rights-of-way, deed restrictions, and other arrangements that affect the ownership and use of agricultural property.
These matters frequently overlap with conservation, forestry, water, and land-management questions. When a matter calls for specialized technical advice, we work alongside the client’s accountants, engineers, foresters, conservation professionals, and other advisers.
Buying, Selling, and Transitioning an Agricultural Business
A sale or generational transition involving a farm can be more involved than an ordinary business transaction, because it often moves several assets at once. The operating company, the land, equipment, inventory, contracts, and intellectual property may each be held by different people or entities.
We assist buyers and sellers in structuring transactions, conducting due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, allocating responsibilities, and resolving the real estate and contractual issues that come with a change in ownership. We also work with owners planning to transition a business to family members, employees, or other operators.
Disputes Affecting Agricultural Businesses
A dispute can interrupt an agricultural operation at a critical time. We represent businesses and landowners in contract disputes, ownership disagreements, real estate matters, easement disputes, payment claims, and other commercial conflicts.
Because we maintain both a transactional and a litigation practice, we can help clients structure agreements with potential disputes in mind and, when necessary, enforce those agreements through negotiation or litigation.
Counsel That Understands Land-Based Businesses
Kimberton Law was built around principles of stewardship, community, integrity, and simplicity, principles with a natural connection to Pennsylvania’s agricultural and land-based businesses.
Before practicing law, firm founder Elias Kohn earned a master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of the Environment and worked in land management. He spent time with a permaculture design and contracting company in New Mexico, installing water reuse systems, orchards, rain catchments, and other tools for sustainable land management, and he worked farm stands and community gardens when he was younger. When he is not practicing law, he tends his chickens, guineas, fruit trees, and gardens. That background adds perspective when a legal question involves not only the business, but the land and natural resources the business depends on.
We combine that perspective with practical business counsel to help agricultural clients protect what they have built, make informed decisions, and prepare for what comes next.
Legal Counsel for Pennsylvania Agriculture
Whether you are forming an agricultural business, negotiating an agreement, purchasing land, bringing the next generation into an operation, buying or selling a farm-related business, or facing a commercial dispute, we can help. Contact Kimberton Law to discuss your agricultural business, property, or legal needs.
