Policy, portfolio & recovery
The work can begin before a default: reviewing credit-policy choices, understanding portfolio exposure and evaluating how a proposed liquidation strategy would operate in practice. In distressed relationships, Matthew has worked to unwind insider transfers, trace misappropriated assets and investigate commodities fronting schemes.
Understanding the credit and the collateral
When a farm credit deteriorates, current information matters. We help lenders assess the loan documents, collateral position and available reporting, including concerns about missing assets, diverted proceeds or transactions with insiders.
The legal analysis should account for the timing of planting, harvest, livestock sales and operating needs. Those facts can affect the practical value of a proposed workout or enforcement step.
How we assist agricultural lenders
- Evaluating troubled crop, livestock and equipment credits.
- Negotiating renewals, modifications and forbearance arrangements.
- Addressing farmer lender mediation and related procedural requirements.
- Assessing collateral sales, liquidation plans and proceeds disputes.
- Disputes with farm-product buyers, competing agricultural liens and grain-fronting arrangements.
- Investigating suspected asset diversion and insider transfers.
- Coordinating enforcement with potential Chapter 12 or other bankruptcy proceedings.
Guaranteed loans and restructuring
A government guarantee introduces additional servicing and documentation questions. We help lenders identify the legal issues affecting a distressed guaranteed loan and coordinate those issues with the proposed resolution. The applicable program requirements and the loan’s history need to be reviewed before action is taken.
Agricultural litigation & appellate experience
Matthew’s agricultural experience extends to litigation involving farm assets, grain sales, lien priority and agricultural trusts. His work includes the published Lighthouse Management v. Oberg Family Farms appeal and the nonprecedential Star Bank v. Anderson appeal.
Our agricultural litigation and bankruptcy practice brings that work together with Karl Johnson’s farm bankruptcy and Chapter 12 practice.
Experience in agricultural lending education
Matthew is scheduled to present at the American Bankers Association’s national Agricultural Bankers Conference, November 4–6, 2026, in Minneapolis. He has also presented on agricultural workouts, farmer lender mediation, troubled livestock credits and distressed FSA guaranteed loans for Minnesota banking organizations.