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Developing a Model Ethics Policy for Farm Business Assistance Organizations
Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Turquoise
Building on previous work at NFVC, with the goal of developing a model ethics policy that can be used and adapted by any business advising organization, this session will progress a draft model ethics policy through community feedback and discussion. We will present a model draft to workshop with attendees. This will also provide a forum for discussing the ethical quandaries that come up in our profession as well as further develop a model ethics policy for circulation. This session builds on previous offerings by the NFVC: "Farm Succession 201: Transactional Ethics" NFVC 2021 (Virtual, Oregon) and "Ethics and Values for Business Advisors and Organizations: Influencing Consequential Decisions" NFVC 2024 (Charleston WV). Following that plenary, a survey was administered to all conference attendees, which indicated strong support for a development of a model ethics policy that could be made available to organizations. Specifically, 57% respondents requested a model ethics policy available for use / adaptation (with only 1.6% responding that a model ethics policy was not needed). More conclusively, 70.5% respondents said they would utilize a "model ethics policy or an industry standard policy that they could sign on to." Our session seeks to develop that model ethics policy. The session will sample, review, critique, and discuss existing ethical guidelines. The presenters are only aware of a very few existing ethical policies. One is available from CA FarmLink, ; another is available from the American Society of Agricultural Consultants Code of Ethics, the International Coaching Federation,; and each state bar association publishes a code of ethics for attorneys.
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Armstrong

Rachel Armstrong

Executive Director, Farm Commons
As the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, Rachel Armstrong creates the organization's innovative approach to farm law education and risk reduction. Rachel instructs continuing legal education classes for the American Bar Association, teaches farm law for the University... Read More →
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Paige Phinney

Regional Program Director, Kitchen Table Advisors
avatar for Benneth Phelps

Benneth Phelps

Agricultural Viability Alliance / The Carrot Project
Benneth Phelps is The Carrot Project’s Executive Director. She brings a deep and dynamic knowledge of our work from 12+ years of on-the-ground experience uplifting New England’s farmers, and a clear vision for building a just and resilient future for agricultural entrepreneur... Read More →
JH

Jack Hornickel

Staff Attorney, Pace Law School
Pro bono attorney serving small farm businesses for 10+ years. Currently directing clinical law practice which includes instruction on ethics. Prior NFVC presentations in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
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Poppy Davis

Adviser, California FarmLink
Poppy Davis is a business and policy adviser to agricultural and food and beverage enterprises, nonprofits, and local governments. She works through agricultural training programs around the country to deliver programing on topics including agricultural taxation, accounting, credit... Read More →
Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Turquoise
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