Ten years ago, our law firm opened its doors to try something new. Rather than focus on one specific area of law or operate a general practice that tried to cover all areas, we decided to focus on a single industry — agriculture. Our clients — farmers, ag-tech providers, and businesses that work in agriculture — were grateful to find lawyers dedicated to their industry. Looking back at how our firm has evolved during the past decade, I see many ways agriculture has changed and how our practice has changed with it.
The business of agriculture has continued to advance. Ten years ago, agriculture was on the cusp of a digital transformation. The ag-tech boom was just beginning, following the ag-data gold rush sparked by Climate Corporation’s sale to Monsanto for nearly $1 billion in 2013. Ag-tech startups were being launched everywhere as Silicon Valley sought to disrupt farming the way it had disrupted brick-and-mortar retailers with internet shopping. Legacy agricultural companies were scrambling to keep pace with ideas from these new startups. Ten years later, the dust has settled on the ag-tech boom, and yet we have not seen major disruption to ag supply chains. Instead, we have seen gradual evolution and improvement to long-standing models, made more efficient by digital tools and connectivity.
Rural America has seen diversification in the landscape from renewable energy projects. Ten years ago, farmland pressures came mainly from urban sprawl and residential development. But now, the Midwest is dotted with renewable projects — wind farms, solar developments, anaerobic digesters producing biogas. The use of corn and soy to create biofuels now includes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). American farms do not just produce crops; they produce energy.
Livestock farms have continued to survive and thrive. Ten years ago, plant-based “meat” products looked to be rapidly expanding into grocery store shelves. Similarly, alternative “milk” products made with almonds and oats started to expand market share. But a decade and one pandemic later, traditional proteins are having a resurgence, and desire for alt-proteins appears to have stalled. We are especially happy to see our livestock producers doing well and expanding their farming operations.
The practice of law has changed, too. When we started this firm, we felt like we were cutting-edge. No expensive offices, marble floors, mahogany desks, or file rooms filled with paper. Instead, we operated with laptops, cell phones, cloud-based software, and modest but modern accommodations provided in a building full of ag commodity groups (thanks, Jane Ade Stevens). We were ahead of the curve in creating a streamlined office environment.
While there have been many changes to both agriculture and the practice of law in the past ten years, the core of our business has remained the same. That core focus is on building human relationships. More than anything, after ten years, I am grateful for those relationships — clients, co-workers, friends, and family — that have helped make us successful. Here’s to ten more years!
