2020 Farmers Tax and Accounting Conference Media Advisory

Conference to Focus on Impact of the Pandemic, Regulation and Economic Outlook on $50 Billion Agriculture Sector in California

Aug. 12, 2020

COVID-19’s impact is wide-reaching—and California’s $50 billion agriculture sector is feeling the effects. As the leading producer of fruits, vegetables, wine and nuts in the U.S., it’s crucial to have solid plans to mitigate the damage caused by the coronavirus. On Oct. 1, CalCPA will again bring together leading experts to tackle pressing issues facing California’s agricultural sector, such as the financial impact of the pandemic and other regulatory, financial, taxation, economic, valuation and real estate topics facing the agriculture industry in the state. 

BACKGROUND:

California's agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities. Over one-third of the country's vegetables and two-thirds of the country's fruits and nuts are grown in California. California is the leading US state for cash farm receipts, accounting for over 13 percent of the nation's total agricultural value. 

According to an economic study released in June, the state’s agricultural sector already has lost $2 billion and could suffer losses ranging from $5.9 billion to $8.6 billion this year from disrupted markets and rising production costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted by Davis-based ERA Economics and commissioned by the California Farm Bureau Federation and included UnitedAg, Ag Association Management Services, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Strawberry Commission, California Tomato Growers Association and Western Plant Health Association.

Objectives of CalCPA’s 2020 Farmers Tax and Accounting Virtual Conference:

  • Identify the year's most important regulatory, financial, economic, valuation, taxation and real estate issues facing California’s $50 billion agriculture sector.
  • Recognize insights and practical tips to stay ahead of the trends and changes in the agricultural industry and get takeaways from accounting, taxation experts, attorneys and agriculture business owners.
MAJOR SUBJECTS:
  • Impact of COVID-19 on various agricultural sectors/supply chain (growers, distributions, manufacturers, retail), dealing with disruption and how to prepare for the next pandemic.
  • Taxation update, including accounting methods, when to make certain elections and how to apply for them and depreciation rules.
  • IRS Audit Updates.
  • Lease accounting in agriculture, including considerations of how land arrangements will be structured, accounting for easements and what is true revenue recognition.
  • Transition and succession planning issues and considerations.
  • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) update.
  • Labor and employment law update, including identifying employee vs. independent contractor, compliance updates on OT rules for agriculture and California requirements for retirement accountants.
  • Issues, considerations and best practices of returning to work in a COVID-19 environment.
  • Trends in farm agriculture lending.
  • Economic update and outlook for agricultural sector in context of pandemic. 

WHERE: Webcast | WHEN: Oct. 1; 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PST
 
SPEAKERS: 

  • PATRICIA DWYER, JD, CFP, Director, Moss Adams, LLP
  • RAE PAULSON, Business Assurance Senior Manager, Moss Adams
  • ADAM RAUDSEP, CPA, Assurance Senior Manager, Moss Adams LLP
  • DANIEL KLINGENBERGER, Esq., Attorney, LeBeau Thelen, LLP
  • DAVID W. KAHN, Partner, KSC
  • IRA KALISH, PH.D., Chief Global Economist, Deloitte
  • JACKSON TAKACH, Chief Economist and Head of Strategy, Research and Analytics, Farmer Mac
  • LAUREN D. LAYNE, Partner, Baker Manock & Jensen, PC
  • MARVIN T. HELON, Attorney, Helon & Manfredo LLP
  • MELANIE ALDRIDGE, Esq., Owner, Law Office of Melanie J. Aldridge
  • MIKE SCHLECT, Tax Partner, Deloitte
  • NEIL KOENIG, President, EA RESIG

SPONSORS:
Silver: Legacy Investment Real Estate and Kay Properties and Investments, LLC
Bronze: Union Bank—Fresno and American AgCredit

Learn more about our 2020 Farmers Tax and Accounting Virtual Conference, including registration details.
 
About CalCPA
CalCPA traces its heritage to 1903 when the California State Society of Certified Public Accountants was organized. In 1909, it merged with two other state CPA associations to form CalCPA. CalCPA serves more than 43,000 members in public practice, private industry, academia and government, and has 14 chapters across California. CalCPA also offers more than 1,400 live courses, conferences, webcasts and on-demand self-study courses annually. More information is available online.