As markets churn and world orders reset, James Tierney and I have a new piece forthcoming in Yale Law Journal that couldn't be more timely. "Trading Acres" traces the risks of farmland financialization and analyzes the role of law in this ongoing rural land grab. 🧵

I love Sarah Vogel's book about her scrappy lawyering for small farmers at the height of the 1980s farm crisis, and Hannah Haksgaard's helpful review is equally delightful: ruralreconcile.org/ruralreview/th…

Writing a book is hard. Also, at least my kids surprise me and make me laugh.

In their Article, @ShoemakerJess & James Tierney reveal how property, corporate, and securities law are fueling a new rural land grab, turning farmland into a financialized asset. They advance democratic alternatives to protect rural communities and sustainable food systems.

#Trading Acres

Wall Street's arrival at #ruralAmerica's gate is not merely a market trend but rather the product of deep social choices governing the accumulation of investor wealth.

Authors: Jessica A. Shoemaker & James Fallows Tierney

Read More: spkl.io/6014ffZXY

This week's digest shares the work of @jcallahanbryant and @J_Farrell urging a closer look at conservative thought in relation to the natural environment and the theoretical underpinnings of its connection to nature. ruralreconcile.org/ruralreview/co…

As volatility returns and capital searches for “safe” stores of value and potential profit, farmland is the next frontier. Our claim is that the law isn’t just regulating this transition; it’s building it. And that we should be collectively concerned about these effects.

Happy to share a working copy with anyone interested in review, or we will post soon.

Our newest digest highlights the work of @AshwoodLoka, @aimee_imlay, Lindsay Kuehn, Allen Franco, and Danielle Diamond offering the first analysis and guide to the right-to-farm laws adopted by states across the country. ruralreconcile.org/ruralreview/em…

Rescheduled - due to winter weather conditions, this play reading and discussion is moved to March 11. Join us then! Details: ruralreconcile.org/ruralreview/em…

March 4 Great Plains talk:
The Center is teaming up with @AngelsTheatre and the @Rural_Reconcile for a panel related to the company’s upcoming performance of “Eminent Domain.”
events.unl.edu/plains/2025/03… #UNL

Headed home for the holidays? About to experience your own rural-urban divide at the Thanksgiving table? We’ve got you covered with this recording and summary of our recent Rural Voter event: ruralreconcile.org/ruralreview/th…

@UNLCollegeofLaw's @ShoemakerJess presented her insights on land justice in rural America during the fall Nebraska Lecture, "Ground Rules: How Property Makes the Countryside." go.unl.edu/pf4i #Nebraska #UNL @UNLresearch

Make sure to get out and vote on this #ElectionDay

🪪 Don't forget your photo ID! It must have your name and photo. ID can be expired. Your address does not need to be current.

Visit voterID.nebraska.gov to find a list of acceptable IDs. 🇺🇸

Polls are open in Nebraska until 8 PM CST (7 PM MT), and officials expect turnout to pick up as people get off work. If the polls close while you're in line, stay in line — you have the right to vote.

As we all stress-distract or stress-obsess about election results, this may be a good time to re-up the current @ALPSLawProp Call for Proposals. Who wants to join me in Australia in late May? CFP deadline Nov. 30. alps-law.org/call-for-papers

Looking forward to our Fall 2024 Law and Rurality Workshop in a few weeks. Schedule now public, with great appreciation to our friends and local hosts at @IowaLawSchool for putting these final details together: ruralreconcile.org/programs/fall-…

My parents delivered a box of my old 4-H projects this weekend, and let’s just say I was very on brand even at 14.

Also, @AshwoodLoka and @hendricksonm, there is some deep and important archival discussion of how we cared for hogs in the 90s here, including photos from my neighbors' various arrangements. Pigs outside! On pasture even! It's worth a whole thread the way the world has changed.