Legal: Intro to Farm Business Law and Liability Insurance - Emerging Farmer Learning Series
April 1, 2026 12:00PM - 1:30PM
Featured Speaker: Carolyn Johnson, LightStone Law
Hosts:
- Jazmin Bolan-Williamson, Farm and Food Business Coordinator, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
- Erin Elly, Technical Assistance Manager, Michigan Good Food Fund
To provide support for Michigan farmers and food business owners, Michigan’s Emerging Farmers and the Michigan Good Food Fund are partnering to host a free webinar series focused on key business topics. This farmer training series will cover a range of subjects, including value-chain coordination, customer insights, preparing for financing, and more.
These virtual sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 12-1:30pm, March 4-April 15, 2026. During each 90-minute session, experienced subject matter experts will lead a presentation before transitioning to breakout rooms among participants. These sessions will be hosted live for interactive discussions, as well as recorded and shared for later viewing.
Meet this Week's Speaker
With experience as an in-house attorney and in business operations, Carolyn Johnson understands the many aspects to consider in advising a client’s business. Prior to becoming an attorney, Johnson was a product development engineer where she worked on first-to-market and new integration concept products for both large and small companies.
She now practices business law, real property, and estate planning. Her favorite part of her job is working with people. Johnson loves hearing their stories and finding out what is important to them.
Johnson is a lifelong passionate equestrian. She competed and trained for many years and now rides every minute possible.She lives with her family on their horse farm outside of Grand Rapids, where they also grow much of their own food.
Previously, Johnson served on the Kent Conservation District, the Kent County Agricultural Preservation Board, and led the Kent County 4-H Horse Leaders.
About Michigan Good Food Fund
Michigan Good Food Fund invests in food and farm entrepreneurs across the state, offering flexible financing and tailored business assistance to grow a more resilient, inclusive local food system. We meet entrepreneurs where they are, connect them with what they need, and build long-term relationships that help their businesses thrive. As we work toward a more resilient, inclusive food industry, we focus on entrepreneurs whose access to power and capital has been historically limited because of their race, ethnicity, and/or gender. Our efforts are guided by the shared vision of our Stakeholder Board, a diverse group of entrepreneurs, farmers, funders, and policymakers with deep roots in Michigan. Learn more at https://migoodfoodfund.org/
About Michigan’s Emerging Farmers
Our statewide program aims to create pathways to growth and economic opportunity for all of Michigan’s agricultural producers, including small- to mid-sized farmers. This project is funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in a cooperative agreement with members of the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Michigan State University Extension, and Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS).
This work is supported by the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Initiative program, project award no. 2023-70417-39233, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
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