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Materials:

• Resources: Understanding the Basics of USDA Commodity Programs
• PowerPoint: Understanding the Basics of USDA Commodity Programs
• Recording: Understanding the Basics of USDA Commodity Programs

On July 28, 2023, from 12 noon–1:00 pm ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), will present the next webinar program in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law: 

“Understanding the Basics of USDA Commodity Programs.”  

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodity programs have been a staple of federal agricultural policy dating back to the Great Depression. To counter the market fluctuations and risks inherent in U.S. commodity production as well as to provide an always important “safety net,” USDA has offered, and continues to offer, several programs to support commodity prices and producer income.  

This webinar will discuss the basic operations of the traditional types of commodity programs, including countercyclical payments, marketing assistance loans, and the now-defunct direct payments. The webinar also will review specific commodity programs currently offered by USDA and discuss producer qualifications, payment structures, and other legal issues associated with these programs.  

1 hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge.