Note Written By: Caroline K. Mitchell

Water is a vital aspect of a person’s everyday life. Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals have gotten into our water and could lead to long-term effects on the environment. Even though the Environmental Protection Agency has regulations set forth, they have not established any limits for the amount of pharmaceuticals in the water. Some states have stepped in to encourage the EPA to establish limits, and it is time Kentucky does the same.

Note Written By: Mary Dallas

The American farming industry is suffering due to trade disputes, low crop prices, and volatile environmental elements creating a heavy toll on famers across the country. In this Note Mary Dallas discusses efforts to promote awareness of farmer mental health problems and how a cross-sectoral partnership could provide agricultural workers the assistance they need.

Note Written By: Emily Allender

The coal mining industry has seen rapid and profound decline across the nation, but particularly in the Appalachian region. Subsequently, employees are met with increasing challenges to their pensions and healthcare benefits promised by employers and legislators alike. In this Note Emily Allender discusses potential solutions to the unstable and uncertain pension and health benefits guaranteed under 1974 Pension Plan and how the coal mining industry can be better protected in the future.

Article Written By: Alexia Kulwiec

Agricultural workers have been deemed “essential,” yet current policy affords them few protections. In this article Alexia Kulwiec argues that the increase in government support for agriculture, both in the U.S. Farm Bill and relief policies in response to COVID -19, provides the opportunity to include long needed protections for agricultural workers.

Article Written By: Sophia Kruszewski & Samuel Ingraham

Congress enacted the Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”) in 2011 and the Produce Safety Rule (“PSR”) in 2015, yet the classification of multiple farm enterprises remains unsettled. Farmers with smaller-scale diversified farms consequently straddle the line between fully covered and qualified exempt under the PSR. In this Article, Sophia Kruszewski & Samuel Ingraham propose a standardized farm operation test that all farmers and PSR regulators could utilize when determining the coverage status of a farm with multiple enterprises.

Note Written By: Maya Marshall

Many assume all residents of the United States have access to clean water, yet this is simply not the reality for many urban and rural low-income communities and communities of color. In this Note Maya Marshall argues the federal government must substantially and systematically invest more into the United States water infrastructure system to ensure clean drinking water for all Americans.

Note Written By: Vincent G. Kleindienst

The Ohio River plays an essential component in people’s lives by providing drinking water, transportation, and operating factories. Although the factories allow the economy to grow, their pollution has caused great concern for those by the river. In 1948 the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was implemented to help regulate the pollution is. However, in 2013 it was proposed to allow the states to voluntarily set their pollution standards which have caused a deep divide among people. Vincent G. Kleindienst explores this issue and argues that the proposal will do more harm than good.

Note Written By: Blake Donithan

An emerging environmental threat faces Lake Baikal. In this Note Blake Donithan, examines the recent legislation regarding the protection of Lake Baikal, and possible solutions to preserve Lake Baikal.

Note Written By: Seth Stroud

As climate change continues to emerge more everyday, we are seeing the effect it has on the wine industry. In this Note Seth Stroud, examines the different strategies that the New World and the Old World has employed, and what each of them could do to help improve the wine industry among climate change.

Article Written By: Bryan Hull and Ryan Murphy

As the automobiles on America’s roads have grown more environmentally friendly in recent decades, a different fleet of emitters has continued to lurk in the nation’s garages and backyards. Small gas-powered lawn and garden equipment products (“LGE”) emit pollutants at levels exceeding those of cars and trucks. In this Article Bryan Hull and Ryan Murphy examine how policy deficiencies have slowed progress toward electrification and decarbonization within the LGE industry in recent decades and identifies specific federal, state, and local policies capable of addressing these shortcomings.

Comment Written By: Cassie Chambers Armstrong

Due to federal policy failures—such as the United States withdrawal from the Paris Accord— local leaders across the country have stepped up to take action towards reaching environmental goals. In this Comment Cassie Chambers Armstrong provides a brief overview of three environmental policy areas gaining traction across America and discusses how Louisville, KY is engaging with these issues.

Note Written By: Howard Ball

Competitors in horse racing have not been given a right to review proceedings done by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. This note explores the efficacy of Kentucky’s administrative regime.

Note Written By: Thomas Staffieri

While several state legislatures allow horse racing wagers with ease, other states vaguely permit or are silent on the legality of online horse racing wagering, affecting bettors, payment processors, and licensed gambling platforms across the nation. In this Note Thomas Staffieri discusses federal regulations surrounding interstate gambling and proposes a mandated withdrawal system from the total ADW handle to ensure funds are appropriately distributed to all parties involved in the industry.

Comment Written By: Michelle Bodian and Shawn Hauser

The U.S. regulated all cannabis under strict drug control laws. However, through the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills, the U.S. created a legal framework for the cultivation of hemp. Still, the arbitrary legal standard has created significant barriers for the hemp industry in practice.

Article Written By: Rusty W. Rumley and Scout S. Snowden

The legalization of industrial hemp production has created some unique and novel issues for attorneys, producers, and processors. In this Article Rusty W. Rumley and Scout S. Snowden examine the foundational features of production contracts as they relate to the hemp industry and the concerns facing growers and attorneys.

Note Written By: Ben Childers

Appalachia has been a pivotal provider of energy to the rest of the country for over a century. The author of this note, Ben Childers explores the challenges facing Appalachia and how modern technology can transform agriculture in mountainous regions. 

Note Written By: Seth Stevens

Urban agriculture is on the rise. It’s healthy, it’s local, and it could constitute 20% of our nation’s agricultural production in the coming decades. It seems like a win-win until you look at where the benefits are flowing.