Agribusiness

Bradley Prowant, Associate in the Litigation group at the firm’s Minneapolis and Boise offices, outlines how the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) protects fruit and vegetable growers from nonpayment and unfair conduct. Enacted to level the playing field between growers and buyers, PACA offers powerful remedies, including preferred creditor status in bankruptcy, the ability to secure quick relief through the USDA, and a statutory trust that allows growers to recover proceeds from produce sales before other creditors are paid. These protections apply to fresh and frozen produce alike and are especially valuable for smaller growers dealing with larger buyers, helping ensure they receive prompt payment without the burden of drawn-out litigation.

Nicole Hancock, Partner in the Litigation group at Stoel Rives’ Boise office, shares how practicing in Idaho’s close-knit legal market provided a foundation for building a national litigation practice. Leveraging the firm’s platform, she has represented Idaho-based clients across the country, working alongside local counsel to combine deep knowledge of client industries with jurisdiction-specific expertise. Her work includes leading a cross-office team in a record-setting, multi-month USDA modernization hearing on behalf of the National Milk Federation, resulting in significant Federal Milk Marketing Order changes.

Nicole Hancock, Partner in Stoel Rives’ Boise office, shares her career journey from a Ninth Circuit clerkship to in-house counsel at global agribusiness leader Syngenta, and back to private practice serving agribusiness clients. Drawing on her industry experience, Hancock has spent more than a decade shaping the Women in Agribusiness Summit as a member of its inaugural advisory board.