BBQ and CLEs at the 2026 Mid-South Ag and Environmental Law Conference
March 19, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Attorneys can earn up to nine CLE/CE hours
- Registration is open online
(388 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Stephen Alexander Vaden, the United States deputy secretary of agriculture, will keynote the 2026 Mid-South Ag and Environmental Law Conference set for June in Memphis, Tennessee.
The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation. It’s being held at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
The conference, now in its 13th year, is the premier source for environmental and agricultural policy and legal updates for the Mid-South.
This year’s conference has several components:
- May 13 — An early bird virtual session, where attorneys can earn required continuing legal education hours.
- June 4 — “Next Generation of Ag & Food Law: Roundtable for Students,” offering law students an opportunity to engage with practitioners and explore career pathways in agricultural law.
- June 4 — Beer and BBQ reception at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous.
- June 5 — Main conference schedule.
“Where else can attorneys get BBQ and CLEs?” said Harrison Pittman, NALC director. “We’re glad to have Deputy Secretary Vaden. He’s been a fan favorite at this conference, and we are eager to hear about the insights he’s gained as USDA deputy secretary.”
Registration is open online, and a livestream option will be available. Those who register by May 12 can take part in the “Early Bird” session with three hours of bonus CLE and CE.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the NASDA Foundation, which is helping fuel the growth of this conference and sharpening its relevance for participants and all in the agriculture and food industries,” Pittman said.
The NASDA Foundation is an educational and research organization that serves the nation’s state departments of agriculture.
Main conference agenda
The June 5 program will feature six hours of continuing education programming, including one hour of ethics credit. The agenda:
- Agricultural labor and immigration enforcement
- Farm debt and land transactions
- USDA policy and reorganization
- Federal legislative and trade developments
- Artificial intelligence and legal ethics
- Environmental regulatory and litigation updates
In addition to Vaden, featured speakers include Hunt Shipman, principal and director at Cornerstone Government Affairs, among others still to be announced.
Registration details, agenda information and continuing education accreditation are available on the conference website.
For more information about the NALC, visit NationalAgLawCenter.org and subscribe to receive NALC communications, including webinar announcements, the Quarterly Newsletter and The Feed.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the National Agricultural Library, a subsidiary of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn as @nataglaw. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Ramie Parsons
National Agricultural Law Center
rparsons@uark.edu
479-575-7646