Ag & Business Legal Strategies

08/27/2026

In July 2016, Ag & Business Legal Strategies opened its doors to focus on helping farmers and small business owners navigate the complexities of debt restructuring, bankruptcy, and related legal issues.

Ten years later, we’re still going strong. We’ll be here to provide counsel and support through the next decade - if you need advice, give us a call: https://www.ablsonline.com/contact

08/24/2026

One more reminder - if you’re an Iowa farm lease landlord or tenant and NOT planning to renew it in 2027, you must notify the other party by September 1, in writing, of intent to terminate. That’s next week! https://www.ablsonline.com/2024/08/01/know-the-law-and-what-to-negotiate-when-deciding-to-renew-or-terminate-a-farm-lease

08/21/2026

Ag & Business Legal Strategies welcomes Rich Schwertfeger to the firm! He is joining our office as the new Legal Operations Manager, which means he will oversee business operations and legal goals toward ensuring efficient, client-focused service from our attorneys and staff.

Rich previously built a 20-year-plus career leading operations in financial, legal, and other customer-focused organizations, and before that he was a Specialist in the U.S. Army.

08/20/2026

Ag media outlets talk frequently with the attorneys of Ag & Business Legal Strategies to inform their reporting on issues of farm bankruptcy, related financial news, and legal issues concerning farmers.

They trust our expertise - and you can too: https://www.ablsonline.com/contact

08/18/2026

Having a farm business means also being aware things can go wrong. When you’re negotiating or signing a contract, be sure the provisions favor your position as much as possible - that way, you’re better prepared to handle extreme adversity.

Need help reviewing a contract? We’re here for you:
https://www.ablsonline.com/2026/03/02/business-contract-risk-management-bankruptcy-planning

08/14/2026

It’s National Financial Awareness Day - and while we advise always keeping track of your farm’s financial health, it never hurts to have a reminder to review debt and assets.

If you have not done an enterprise analysis of your farm in a while, now’s a good time to get that scheduled. Find out what it entails, and how Ag & Business Legal Strategies helps: https://www.ablsonline.com/2026/08/01/farm-enterprise-analysis

08/10/2026

We encourage farmers to contact us before they make major questionable decisions related to solving their debt - but even if you’ve already made mistakes, we may still be able to help.

Over the past 10 years, our attorneys have assisted many types of clients, including those who needed legal representation for decisions in addition to debt restructuring or bankruptcy. Don’t go it alone - call for a consultation today: https://www.ablsonline.com/contact

08/08/2026

Some potential risk-management breathing room may be in the cards for growers: This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a 2-month reprieve on premium crop insurance billing dates between July 1 and September 30. It is also reinstating the option to buy preventing planting buy-up coverage, that it had removed in late 2025.

Read more to see if this may help your situation:

One industry outlet reported that “farmers will get a two-month reprieve on their crop insurance premiums this year and USDA will also reinstate prevented planting buy-up coverage as well, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Tuesday.”

08/06/2026

Getting expert help to perform an enterprise analysis of your farm’s operations helps keep you honest about how - and if - each individual operation is contributing its fair share to your overall income.

Ag & Business Legal Strategies offers analysis throughout the year, but summer is a perfect time to figure out what works and what might not, ahead of fall input buying. Read why: https://www.ablsonline.com/2026/08/01/farm-enterprise-analysis

08/04/2026

If you are not planning in 2027 to renew an Iowa farm lease to which you are now a party - renter or landlord - you must inform the other parties to your lease of your intent no later than September 1, 2026.

That’s less than a month from now! Our attorneys can help with lease renegotiation, or if you want to be certain you are providing notice correctly under state law. Find out how: https://www.ablsonline.com/2024/08/01/know-the-law-and-what-to-negotiate-when-deciding-to-renew-or-terminate-a-farm-lease