NALC Concludes 2025 Mid-South and Western Conferences – National Agricultural Law Center
By Drew Viguet, NALC Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) has concluded its 2025 conferences: the 12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference and the 3rd Annual Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference. The programs were co-hosted with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation (NASDA Foundation).
Attendees ranged from law students and attorneys to policymakers and industry professionals.
“It was another successful year for our conferences,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. “We saw a wide range of attendees invested in ag law and policy issues across the country. We’re thankful to the NASDA Foundation for helping us coordinate these programs — their friendship and partnership with the NALC is immensely valuable.”
Both conferences offered continuing legal education (CLE) credit, as well as credit from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
12th Annual Mid-South
The Mid-South conference was held June 5-6 in Memphis, Tennessee as well as on livestream, focusing on key legal and policy issues impacting the Mid-South region of the country and beyond. Topics ranged from groundwater developments and agricultural bankruptcy to federal regulations from Washington, D.C. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson presented this year’s ethics session, discussing foreign ownership of agricultural land.
Prior to the conference sessions, the annual “Beer & BBQ” networking dinner was held at Charlie Vergos Rendezvous the evening of June 5.
An “Early Bird” online program was also held on May 14, offering bonus CLE credit. Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, who also currently serves as president of NASDA, presented the conference keynote address during the program
To begin his remarks, Ward underscored the close relationship NASDA has with NALC.
“I really want to start by saying how valuable the National Ag Law Center is, and how thankful and fortunate we are to have them in Arkansas,” said Ward. “We certainly have a close relationship with Harrison and the team.”
Information on the 12th Annual Mid-South, including agendas and materials, are available online. You can find photos from the Mid-South in-person conference here.
The NALC would like to thank Peoples Company and Mississippi Farm Bureau for sponsoring the Mid-South conference.
3rd Annual Western
The Western conference was held in Reno, Nevada, as well as on livestream, on June 19-20 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. The program spotlights key legal and policy issues uniquely impacting the Western U.S., from water banking and leasing to federal-private split estates, to the overturning of the Chevron doctrine by the Supreme Court and more.
Ward also participated in the Western conference, moderating a panel discussion on state departments of agriculture.
“The Western conference provides a unique opportunity for attorneys and non-attorneys alike to learn about some of the biggest topics impacting agriculture,” said Pittman. “Water law issues, land issues, influence of Supreme Court decisions and more — it all impacts agriculture in the West, which is significant for the country’s agriculture as a whole.”
Information on the 3rd Annual Western, including agenda and materials, are available online. You can find photos from the Western in-person conference here.
Looking Ahead
Stay tuned to the NALC’s website and social media for information on upcoming CLE opportunities. Save the date for the 13th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, which will be held June 4-5, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee and online.
For information on past and upcoming conference opportunities, visit our Educational Opportunities & Conferences page.
If you have any questions about the NALC conferences, please reach out to us. You can find contact information on our Professional Staff page.
