 Elizabeth Dooley |
An article by Beth Dooley, LW’11, has been named as one of the best law review articles in its field published within the last year. Dooley’s article, titled “Watch Where You’re Steppin’ Out Here: Why States Should Adopt Legislation to Promote the Diversified Farming Practice of Agritourism,”was selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of the Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook.
“My article examines federal administrative initiatives that are aimed at rural development, supporting the same goals as agritourism in providing supplemental income for farmers and rural communities,” Dooley said. “The article also explores the different features of state agritourism laws and offers model legislation aiming to facilitate agritourism.”
Dooley said that she was thrilled to find out that her article would be published in the handbook, and that its selection reflects the importance of diversified agricultural practices.
“I’m very interested in the topic of rural development and keeping small farmers on the land by increasing the profitability of their operations for a very personal reason,” said Dooley, who is originally from Eagle Grove, Iowa. “My rural hometown is very small, and my family owns a Century Farm on which my uncle and brother grow corn and soybeans. I would love to see rural operations profit from participation in farmers markets and direct interaction with educated consumers.”
Dooley credited Drake’s Dwight D. Opperman Chair of Law Neil Hamilton and the Drake Agricultural Law Center for developing her interest in agritourism. She also praised the Drake Law School for preparing her for a legal career through practical experiences and writing-intensive courses.
“My experiences in the classroom and as the editor in chief of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law really showed me the value of honing superior writing skills,” Dooley said. “Effectively communicating ideas and making legal arguments is critical, invaluable and essential to the practice of law, and Drake emphasizes this practical side of legal writing.” Edwards, who also serves as associate dean for information resources and technology at Drake, said that Dooley’s achievement reflects the Law School’s commitment to educating students in effective legal writing.
“It is exciting when one of our students receives a national award for research and scholarship,” Edwards said. “When an article like Beth’s is recognized it gives further confirmation that the skills our students develop provide an excellent foundation for the research, analysis and writing they will do as lawyers.”
Read more about Ms. Dooley’s acomplishment in Drake Blue Newsletter.