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JILLIAN HISHAW AS AN
Author
JILLIAN HISHAW AS AN
Agricultural Lawyer
Hishaw has extensive legal experience in the areas of agriculture, bankruptcy and estate planning. Hishaw has gotten numerous clients out of debt, protected assets through proper estate planning and has litigated cases on behalf of farmers across the country in federal court.
Ranked No. 5 out of 14 women by the Food Tank organization changing the food industry in the world, Hishaw’s impact has been felt world-wide. As a philanthropist, Hishaw has raised thousands of dollars for charitable food programs and has been interviewed by various academic, newspaper and podcast outlets. Additionally, Hishaw has written several law reviews articles on the topics of agriculture, environmental, and civil rights law which has been published in the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, the Journal of Food Law & Policy, Environmental & Energy Law & Policy Journal, the South Dakota Law Review, and the American Bar Association newsletter. Hishaw’s past op-ed articles on agricultural law topics have been featured in such publications as the Atlantic, the Counter and her own personal blog, located on this site. Additional publications like Oprah Magazine, San Diego Union Tribune, WUNC – NPR, South Carolina Now, and more have highlighted her work over the years.
An expert Innovative
global changemaker
Ranked No.5 out of 14 Women Leaders in the world changing Agriculture
Jillian Hishaw
Blogs
Jillian Hishaw is a MacArthur Recipient (via F.A.R.M.S.) agricultural lawyer, Founder, and C.E.O. of F.A.R.M.S. Inspired by her own family’s land loss, this international non-profit provides technical and legal assistance to small farmers while reducing hunger in the farmer’s community. Hishaw’s first book, Don’t Bet the Farm on Medicaid, available on Amazon, examines how U.S. long-term care facilities can exercise their federal authority to place a lien on a resident’s property, forcing a sale if an outstanding debt is owed. Hishaw has 15 years of professional experience in the areas of civil rights, land protection, and agricultural policy.
Her prior experience includes working on land protection matters for local and state agencies and on civil rights matters for the U.S. Department of Agriculture within the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., which has given her immense insight into the topic of land loss. Past academic publications include the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, The Journal of Food Law & Policy, South Dakota Law Review, Environmental, and Energy Law Policy Journal, American Bar Association Environmental, Energy and Resources Agricultural Management Newsletter.
In February 2022, Elle Magazine named "Systematic Land Theft" one of the 28 best Black History books written, based on Ms. Brea Baker's selection.
JILLIAN HISHAW AS
F.A.R.M.S Founder
JILLIAN HISHAW AS
Speaker
Over the last 20 years, Hishaw has had the opportunity to speak at numerous national, state and local conferences and workshops. Hishaw has organized workshops and conferences or invited to speak on various topics including;
- History of Black Agriculture
- Asset/Land Protection
- Hemp Regulations
- Women in agriculture
- Non-traditional Legal Career Options
- Diversity in Agriculture

Featured and Written Work

















Learn more about Jillian Hishaw by downloading the Press Kit.
Testimonials
Working with Ms. Hishaw was a pleasure. Her presentation at one of Hunger Free America’s MLK Serve-A-Thon Workshops about the intersection of land justice with hunger/food justice was engaging and very informative for our volunteers; her expertise in farm ownership and the history of discrimination in land rights is so valuable. I look forward to working with her and F.A.R.M.S. again in the future!
Linnea Harris - Hunger Free America, Former National Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you Jillian for that wonderful presentation. It was so informative and got my brain flowing with thoughts. I am sure that we could have talked for another hour with all the questions and follow up thoughts people have..... Please know from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am for you and your work.
From all of us at HDFFA, THANK YOU!
Caroline Danielson - Exec. Dir. High Desert Food & Farming Alliance
I have worked with Jillian and with F.A.R.M.S on multiple occasions for over 3 years. I regularly refer her to coworkers and partners. She has a heart for feeding hungry people. She also has a heart for making sure that at the foundation of our efforts we support, encourage and strengthen small, minority or socially disadvantaged farmers.
Andy Lemmon, End Hunger Org
Jillian your work with F.A.R.M.S i so needed and you have definitely helped us do a lot of good work at SOSA. As many Nonprofits do, SOSA runs on a tight budget and your contributions meant that thousands of pounds of food got to pantries that couldn't otherwise pay for fresh produce in large quantities. I know I can't thank you enough for your support.
Abi Warmack, Former Prog. Coordinator, SOSA
Photo Credit to Meg Haywood Sullivan, Clif Bar and Banner photos See Infinity Productions.