Join us for two days of agricultural law education in West Virginia

Data centers, agritourism, and farm financial stress are timely topics on the agenda for the upcoming Agricultural & Natural Resources Law Summit on September 22 and 23, 2026.  OSU's Agricultural & Resource Law Program is a co-sponsor of the event, which will bring attorneys and other agricultural professionals to the beautiful National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia for two days of learning and discussion on important legal issues affecting agriculture and natural resources.

Here's a quick look at the agenda and speakers:

Tuesday, September 22

Hot Legal Topics From the States

• Andrew Branan, North Carolina State University
• Jen Friedel, Virginia Tech
• Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland
• Peggy Kirk Hall, The Ohio State University
• Jesse Richardson, West Virginia University College of Law
• Audry Thompson, Penn State Dickinson Law

Farm Financial Stress: Indicators and Legal Options

• John Essman, Kingston National Bank, Ohio
• Peggy Kirk Hall, The Ohio State University
• Robert Moore, The Ohio State University
• Faith Parum, American Farm Bureau Federation

Agritourism Law

• Mark Botkin, BotkinRose PLC, Harrisonburg, VA

Wednesday, September 23

Mid-Atlantic Data Centers: Policy Drivers & Land Use Regulation 

• Evan Johns and Tom Kloehn, Appalachian Mountain Advocates

An Overview of Water Rights and Water Allocation in the Mid-Atlantic Region

• Amanda Demmerle, Appalachian Mountain Advocates 

Right to Farm: A State Comparative Analysis 

• D. Robert Davidson, MPL Law Firm, LLP, Bloomsburg, PA

• Anthony G. Gorski, The Law Office of Anthony G. Gorski, LLC Annapolis, MD

• Jake Parker, North Carolina Farm Bureau

Pesticide Use & Litigation Update 

• Brigit Rollins, National Agricultural Law Center

Ag Labor Law Trends & Federal Law Refresh

• Carolyn M.H. Sullivan, Varnum LLP, Grand Rapids, MI

Ethical Issues in Farm Transition Planning

• Jesse J. Richardson, Jr., West Virginia University College of Law

Attendees will have the opportunity stay on the National Conversation Training Center campus, but lodging is guaranteed only until August 13, so make reservations now!  More information about lodging and the registration for the conference is at this link.