California Agricultural Law

Attorneys in our Agricultural Law practice group represent clients throughout the state in federal and state courts and before federal, state, and local administrative agencies.

Relevant Experience in Agricultural Law Includes:

• Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Environmental Protection Agency and Air District investigations and enforcement actions
• Underground storage tank compliance and tank fund applications
• Federal and state superfund site cost-recovery for environmental damages
• Environmental due diligence for commercial real estate and business transactions
• Prosecution and defense of citizen suits under federal and state statutes
• Land use entitlements and permitting of energy projects including digesters, wind turbines, solar farms, co-generation facilities and ethanol producers
• Proposition 65 Compliance and Litigation
• Compliance and defense and prosecution of cases under California’s Environmental Quality Act
• Defending personal injury suits from alleged exposure to hazardous substances, also known as “toxic torts”
• Agricultural land sale and lease agreements
• Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act claims and administrative proceedings
• Agricultural equipment lease and financing agreements
• Water rights applications and entitlements
• Food safety regulations and compliance
• Organizing and structuring business entities
• Employment issues

California Agriculture Law Frequently Asked Questions

Working with an agriculture lawyer is essential for farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses. Legal guidance helps you comply with regulations and protect your business’s intellectual property.

To help you learn more, here are our answers to frequently asked questions about California agriculture-related legal issues.

What are the key regulations governing water usage in California agriculture?

Various state and federal laws govern water usage regulations for agriculture. They include:

• The California Water Code: This legislation regulates water rights and usage, outlining how it can be used, allocated and transferred.
• The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Requires the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) to help ensure groundwater basins are managed sustainably.
• State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB): This board issues permits and monitors water usage to help ensure compliance with state laws.

Complying with these regulations is crucial for agricultural operations to avoid penalties and help ensure sustainable water use.

What are the legal implications of agricultural labor laws in California, and how can I ensure compliance?

All industries, including agriculture, must abide by specific California employment laws. Here is a breakdown of key laws.

• California Labor Code: Covers wages, hours, working conditions and rest periods
• AB 1066 (Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016): Gradually increases overtime agriculture wages to align with other industries
• Cal/OSHA Regulations: Helps promote workplace safety and health standards
• Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA): Provides additional federal protection for migrant and seasonal workers

Compliance involves keeping accurate records of work hours, providing necessary training, maintaining safe conditions and staying informed about labor laws.

How can I protect my agricultural intellectual property, such as unique crop varieties or farming technologies?

Some of the strategies for protecting agricultural intellectual property (IP) include:

• Patents: Grants exclusive rights to an invention for a specific period
• Plant Variety Protection (PVP): Provides intellectual property rights to breeders of new plant varieties
• Trademark registration: Protects brand names, logos and other identifiers that distinguish your products in the market

Working with an agriculture attorney can help you identify the best strategies for protecting your agricultural intellectual property.

How will California’s 2026 SGMA enforcement deadlines affect agricultural water rights?

The next phase of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation is expected to significantly affect growers who rely on groundwater for irrigation and agricultural operations. Beginning in 2026, many Groundwater Sustainability Agencies will move deeper into enforcement and allocation measures intended to reduce groundwater overdraft in critically managed basins. For some landowners, this may include pumping restrictions, reporting obligations, groundwater allocation disputes or operational limitations affecting crop planning and long-term land value.

 

These developments may also create conflicts between neighboring agricultural operations, water districts and landowners regarding historic pumping rights and groundwater access. Agricultural businesses that fail to plan ahead could face compliance problems, reduced operational flexibility or declining property values tied to restricted water availability. Our attorneys assist California landowners and agricultural businesses with SGMA compliance, groundwater disputes, regulatory proceedings and long-term planning strategies designed to protect both operational stability and future property interests.

What legal issues are emerging from automated farm equipment in California agriculture?

As California agriculture increasingly adopts autonomous tractors, harvesting systems and AI-assisted farming technology, agricultural businesses are facing new legal and regulatory concerns involving labor compliance, workplace safety and operational liability. State and federal regulators are placing greater scrutiny on how automated systems interact with employees, contractors and seasonal labor forces, particularly in high-risk agricultural environments.

Issues may arise involving workplace injuries, equipment malfunctions, supervision requirements, employee training obligations or wage-and-hour disputes connected to partially automated operations. Businesses using autonomous equipment should carefully review vendor agreements, maintenance obligations, insurance coverage and indemnity provisions before integrating new technologies into daily operations.

Our agricultural law attorneys help growers, ranchers and agribusiness owners evaluate contracts, liability exposure and workplace compliance measures tied to emerging agricultural technology. 

As a California farm owner, when should I begin planning for agricultural succession?

Begin planning immediately. Agricultural succession planning should begin well before ownership changes are necessary. Delayed planning can create significant tax risks, operational disputes and uncertainty for future generations involved in the business. Recent developments involving estate valuations, business transfers and family-owned agricultural operations have increased the importance of proactive planning for California growers and ranchers. Succession plans may address land ownership, water rights, operating entities, equipment transfers and long-term management responsibilities. Our attorneys help California agricultural families structure succession strategies to preserve business continuity and reduce the financial risks associated with multigenerational farm transfers.

Contact Us For Farming-Related Legal Solutions

To schedule a consultation about any agricultural law concerns, call 559-343-2648, or send an email inquiry for a prompt reply.

Practice Area Attorneys

Caz C. Ashjian – Associate

Steven C. Clark – Partner

Sherrie M. Flynn – Partner

Eliot S. Nahigian – Partner

Gregory J. Norys – Managing Partner

Herman S. Chatrath – Associate

Michael P. Dowling – Partner

Darryl J. Horowitt – Founder-Partner-Mediator

C. Fredrick Meine III – Partner

Sheryl D. Noel – Partner

Matthew R. Nutting – Senior Counsel

Nicholas F. Phillips – Associate

Daniel L. Rudnick – Senior Counsel

David J. Weiland – Partner