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As an agricultural lawyer, I spend a good part of my time trying to convince landowners and agricultural producers never to rely on a handshake deal. "Put it in writing," is absolutely the phrase I repeat most frequently in my day job. Recently, however, my kids proved I perhaps shouldn't be so sheepish about such arrangements.
Every year, our family makes the trek to Reno, Nevada, to show at the Nugget All-American Show and Sale. My children have long been mesmerized by a unique breed of sheep at that show, the Valais Blacknose. I have to admit, they are very cute with their little black faces and fuzzy wool-covered bodies. The kids beg to buy one every year, but my answer has always been a firm no.
Last year, the kids chatted with Sarah, the owner of the Valais Blacknose sheep, and came up with a proposition. Next year, they would bring one of the ewe lambs our family raised, and Sarah would bring one of her Valais Blacknose ewe lambs that she raised. Then, they would swap. The three of them shook on it, and a deal was struck.
Off and on all year, my kids talked about getting their Valais Blacknose at Reno. I felt sure that Sarah hadn't been serious. I assumed the deal was one of those things you tell kids to get them out of your hair like, "Oh, I'll think about it."
Then, I received a message asking to confirm that the deal was still on. Sarah had picked an adorable little lamb named Rosie for the swap. My kids chose one ewe lamb from our family flock. Both parties think they got the better end of the deal, a sure sign of a successful agreement.
While I would still tell you that all of your deals should be in writing, even I must admit, this handshake deal turned out to be a winner.
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Tiffany Dowell Lashmet juggles family, farming, writing, livestock and a career in ag law from the Texas Panhandle. Follow her on Instagram alwaysafarmkid, on social platform X @TiffDowell and on her blog at https://alwaysafarmkid.com/…
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