The American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) held their 37th Annual Agricultural Law Symposium last week in Oklahoma City. More than 250 agriculture and food attorneys from across the country attended the AALA Symposium which featured national and regional legal policy experts addressing cutting edge issues in agriculture, natural resources, water, food, environmental and agribusiness law.

Justin Schneider of Indianapolis, Indiana assumed the role of President. Schneider serves as the Director of State Government Relations for Indiana Farm Bureau. Jennifer Zwagerman, Associate Director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center and Director of Career Development at Drake University Law School, was elected to the role of President Elect.

Both Zwagerman and Schneider said they intend to work on improving communications with AALA members and strengthening membership in the association. Schneider said, “As President I want to make sure we focus on providing value to our members. There are some great things happening within AALA and I am excited to be a part of growing and strengthening our organization.”

Members joining the Board during the annual meeting include:
· Tyler Buswell; a real-estate attorney and shareholder at Kirton/McConkie from Salt Lake City, Utah (term ending 2019),
· Tiffany Dowell-Lashmet; Agricultural Law Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service from Amarillo, Texas (term ending 2019)
· Elizabeth Rumley; a senior staff attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas (term ending 2017)

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to David Grahn, the Associate General Counsel for International Affairs, Food Assistance, and Farm and Rural Programs Division at U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to an AALA member demonstrating consistent dedication to the development of agricultural law, the legal profession and AALA.

The Excellence in Agricultural Law Award was presented to three individuals recognized for outstanding contributions to the legal profession and the agricultural community:
· David LeBas; Amarillo, Texas received recognition for his work in private practice with Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee, PLLC
· Mike Traxinger; Aberdeen, South Dakota, received the non-governmental organization award for his work with the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, and
· Peggy Kirk-Hall; Marysville, Ohio, received the academia award in recognition for her work at The Ohio State University.