URBANA, Ill. — In times of uncertainty, protecting your livelihood and assets is essential. Each farm and farm family has a unique experience and specific needs, but the success of Illinois farmers is vital for everyone in our state.
“With the converging crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, unpredictable environmental hurdles, economic hardships, and ever-changing agricultural legislation, the most innovative agricultural professionals need support,” says Jesse Schaffer, visiting Extension outreach associate, urban and innovative agriculture, with University of Illinois Extension.
Learning the tools to make proactive decisions in any farming operation reduces risk, increases resiliency, impacts profitability, and equips producers with the confidence to run their farms effectively.
Illinois Extension’s Legal Series for Illinois Small Farms webinars return with new session topics to continue assisting farmers across the state with the tools and resources required to address the needs of their farms. Producers focused on grain, livestock, specialty crops, or hobby farms can all strengthen their businesses through the sessions and tools provided by Extension’s local food systems and small farms team in partnership with Farm Commons. Farm Commons is a nonprofit organization that assists farmers in solving legal challenges in a community of support. Farm Commons staff will lead each interactive session with time for questions from participants.
Legal Training for Illinois Small Farms Webinar Schedule
Dec. 9 – Nonprofit Business Structure Basics
Farmers don't just grow food because they enjoy it; they farm to provide their community with good food and good jobs while stewarding the earth's resources. Does that mean the nonprofit business structure is a good choice for a farm? This webinar session tackles that question, while also addressing other business structures that incorporate social benefits, including benefit companies and social purpose entities. From wealth-building limitations to IRS criteria and the influence of a board of directors, the session breaks down the decision-making factors that farmers need to consider.
Feb. 10, 2026 – Forming an LLC
Producers are often curious about the details of a limited liability company or LLC. Most farmers choose the LLC as their preferred business structure. The good news is that forming one is quite simple. But at the same time, farmers and ranchers need to know a few keys to ensure they get the benefits they’re expecting from this entity. In this session, presenters will do a quick recap of why an LLC is a good risk management tool, before going into how to form one, which best practices to implement after it’s formed, and regular obligations to keep the LLC in top legal shape. Farmers who have had an LLC for years will learn some things about how to preserve their resilience.
April 14, 2026 – Land Leasing Basics
Leasing farmland is so commonplace that landowners, farmers, and ranchers may only think about the lease itself once things go wrong. Prevent problems with a strong lease while building a path to a resilient future. Leasing basics will teach what a lease should include and how to put it in writing. Get started with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to create a strong document that works for individual needs, whether a landowner, rancher, or farmer.
June 9, 2026 – 5 Steps to Protect Your Farm, Legally Speaking
Are there a few key steps that provide a big impact when it comes to the farm or ranch’s protection from legal risks? Yes, there are, and every farm or ranch, of any size, location, or longevity, is in a great position to build resilience. Join the final webinar session of the series to build knowledge and confidence around essential farm law issues.
There is no cost to register for the series, but registration is required for all events at go.illinois.edu/FarmLegalSeries. Each session begins at 6 p.m. and lasts 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes for questions. The final session will also be available in bilingual English and Spanish delivery. Individuals just starting out or those who have been farming for years can learn valuable tips to strengthen their legal confidence in running a farming operation.
For series questions or if you will need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Jesse Schaffer at jschaff@illinois.edu or 312-585-9128. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
About Farm Commons: Farm Commons is a national nonprofit organization specializing in legal education for farmers. Our mission is to empower farmers to resolve their own business law issues within an ecosystem of support. Through education, leadership development, and community-based problem solving around business law, agricultural communities become stronger and more resilient. The result is a legacy of sustainable farms and a community-based food system for everyone. At Farm Commons, paperwork is Powerful.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.