Agricultural Lawyer for Nebraska and Minnesota Farms

What an agricultural lawyer does

An agricultural lawyer helps with the legal side of farming and ranching. That covers the land, the operation, the family, and the government programs that touch all three. Most of the work is planning and paperwork: getting things set up right so problems don't start.

Farm legal work is different from most. A farm is often worth a lot on paper but short on cash. It runs on operating loans, cash rent leases, and handshake deals. It answers to NRDs, drainage authorities, and USDA rules. And it usually has more than one generation involved. A lawyer who knows how farms work can spot problems before they cost you.

Who we help

• Farm and ranch families
• Landowners who rent out ground
• Ag businesses: retailers, custom operators, seed dealers, aerial applicators
• Co-ops, associations, and farm nonprofits
• Families settling the estate of a farmer or landowner

Agriculture is our main focus, but not our only one. We also help other families and small businesses when the work fits.

What we help with

• Farm estate planning and succession: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and plans to pass the farm on
• Elder law and Medicaid planning: protecting the farm if long-term care is needed
• Probate and trust administration: settling an estate after a death, for uncontested estates
• Farm LLCs and ag business law: entities, operating agreements, buyouts, and contracts
• Farm real estate and energy leases: land deals, farm leases, and wind and solar leases
• Water, drainage, and ag programs: NRD rules, water rights, Minnesota drainage, and USDA programs
• Ongoing general counsel: a lawyer on call for a flat monthly fee

Nebraska and Minnesota

Kole Pederson is licensed in Nebraska and Minnesota. Our office is in Henderson, Nebraska, and we serve every county in the state. See Nebraska. Minnesota clients are served fully remotely, with documents signed through remote online notarization. See Minnesota.

About Kole Pederson

Kole grew up on a family farm and has 15+ years of hands-on ag experience. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating and still flies as an aerial applicator. He earned his JD and MBA from Drake University Law School, with a certificate in Agricultural & Food Law, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota with majors in Aviation, Agronomy, Agricultural Business, and Agricultural Systems Management. Before founding Midwest Ag Law, he served as Director of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs at Nebraska Farm Bureau. Read more.

How it works

1. A free 30-minute call.
2. A flat-fee quote before any work starts.
3. We do the work remotely and explain it in plain English.
4. Signing happens at your kitchen table in Nebraska, or by remote online notarization in Minnesota.

What we don't do

We plan, draft, and negotiate. We don't handle lawsuits, guardianships, or agency appeals. See What We Don't Do.

Common questions

What does an agricultural lawyer do?

An agricultural lawyer handles legal work tied to farms, ranches, farmland, and ag businesses. That includes estate and succession plans, farm entities, land and lease deals, and water and USDA program issues.

Do I need an ag lawyer, or will any lawyer do?

Any licensed lawyer can draft a will. Farm plans also have to deal with operating loans, leases, entities, and family members who do and don't farm. It helps to work with someone who handles those every day.

Do you work with people who don't farm?

Yes, when the work fits. Landowners who rent out their ground are a natural fit, and we also help other families and small businesses.

How much does it cost?

Every matter is flat fee, quoted after a free 30-minute call.

Do you work outside Nebraska and Minnesota?

Kole is licensed only in Nebraska and Minnesota. For land or matters in other states, we work with a local attorney there.

Talk to an agricultural lawyer who knows how farms work. Book a free 30-minute call or call (816) MW-AGLAW.