Legal with Leah

Can pipeline companies take your land via eminent domain? OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis says there’s no one answer and there’s still some legal uncertainty. And she tells you where to turn for help.

While the benefits of Ohio’s oil and gas boom are many, so too are the problems facing landowners who are dealing with pipeline companies. What Farm Bureau is doing on behalf of its members and steps landowners should take are subjects covered by OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis.

CAUV reform is now a reality. OFBF policy counsel Leah Curtis explains the improvements and how Farm Bureau members made it happen.

Ohio has some specific rules and regulations regarding open burning. What you can burn and where are some of the insights shared by Leah Curtis, Ohio’s policy counsel.

Things can go wrong during pesticide applications. What recourse do neighboring property owners have if damage is done? Ohio Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis reviews the law, and has suggestions for producers of sensitive crops.

The Des Moines Water Works suit against upstream farmers gets shut down, and WOTUS likely will look a lot different, in a good way, under President Trump’s EPA. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis has the updated news.

Des Moines, Iowa’s water division has been told it can’t collect monetary damages from upstream water districts, but still pending is the legal fight over whether farms and watersheds can be designated point sources of pollution. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis has the latest.

Farmers who provide temporary housing to migrant workers will have some new rules to comply with in 2017. Leah Curtis, Farm Bureau’s director of agricultural law, reminds farmers to check the details when the Department of Health sends your application packet.

Landowners who may have sold their surface property but kept the underlying mineral rights should know about a new Ohio Supreme Court ruling. OFBF director of ag law Leah Curtis covers dormant mineral rights on this Legal with Leah.

It may not be a great idea (think jail) to take a selfie with your completed election ballot. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis explains.

What farm jobs can kids do or not do? Leah Curtis, OFBF’s director of ag law runs down the U.S. Department of Labor’s youth laws. To read more visit https://www.dol.gov/whd/AG/ag_pocket_guide.pdf.

There’s a new, higher cap on the value of claims you can make in small claims court. OFBF ag law director Leah Curtis explains how the court works, how you can use it and how you can’t. For a guide on using the court, visit www.ohiojudges.org/Document.ashx?DocGuid=7ccff07a-9c2c-4671-b10f-845072444576

In four Ohio counties, voters could be asked to radically change their governance structure in ways that would be bad for citizens and especially bad for farmers. OFBF law director Leah Curtis explains what’s going on and what Farm Bureau is doing about it.

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued new regulations on the use of drones. What you can and can’t do is determined largely by whether you’re using your drone for work or for fun. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Ag Law Director Leah Curtis has the details.

Who can operate a drone for what purposes? Farm Bureau ag law director Leah Curtis explains that as of yet most drone laws are unclear. One thing’s for sure: You can’t use your neighbor’s drone for target practice!

The U.S. EPA is attempting to go beyond its legislated authority to regulate agriculture under the Clean Water Act. Leah Curtis of Ohio Farm Bureau explains that several states and the American Farm Bureau are fighting EPA in court.

What to do about an obnoxious neighbor with noxious weeds? Farm Bureau ag law director Leah Curtis has the answers for rural landowners.

In our second part of the eminent domain discussion we cover more about who can take your land (including pipeline companies)and discuss what to do if they try. Ohio Farm Bureau director Ag Law, Leah Curtis has the info.

Who can take your property and under what circumstances? Farm Bureau’s Leah Curtis explains the ins and outs of the power of eminent domain. (And yes, she covers how The Donald tried to take a little old lady’s house.)

Does the ag sales tax exemption apply to ATVs and utilities vehicles? Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Ag Law Leah Curtis definitively says: "sometimes." Learn about when these vehicles qualify, and for whom, in this latest Legal with Leah.

There’s a difference between being ticketed and being sued if you’re involved with an equipment accident on the road. Learn more, plus road rules and what to do if you’re in an accident from Farm Bureau’s Leah Curtis.

What recourse do farmers have if they dispute their test results from the elevator? Farm Bureau’s ag law director Leah Curtis and Joe Cornely talk about the options.

Grain bins can no longer be taxed as real property, which might save you some money. Farm Bureau law director Leah Curtis talks with Joe Cornely about the recent court ruling at its implications.

Can you hack away at the neighbor’s bothersome tree? What if it falls on your property? Can utility companies trim your trees? Farm Bureau’s ag law director Leah Curtis and Joe Cornely talk tree law.

OSHA overstepped it’s authority in trying to regulate an Ohio farmer. He called Farm Bureau and made the problem go away. OFBF director of ag law Leah Curtis talks with Joe Cornely about the lessons learned from another federal agency going too far.

As farmers transport equipment from field to field they should be aware of Ohio laws governing weight, size, lighting and signage. Leah and Joe cover these topics on this edition of Legal With Leah.

Ohio’s system of taxing farmland continues to be a good deal for farmers and their local communities, but tax bills are going higher. Leah and Joe answer your questions about Current Agricultural Use Valuation. Other Farm Bureau CAUV Resources: Brochure and blog: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/3939/ Guide to CAUV: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/894/ Leah Curtis thinking critically about CAUV blog: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/news/2878/ Online recorded web meeting: http://ofbf.org/news-and-events/events/659/

Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Legal Education Leah Curtis defines the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) program; why those with land enrolled in CAUV may notice varying increases in the valuation, and their taxes; and shares how Ohio Farm Bureau members can register for a Feb. 27 web meeting on this topic in this interview with Communications Specialist Chip Nelson. Learn more about the Feb. 27 CAUV web meeting for Ohio Farm Bureau members at http://ofb.ag/227webmtg