Farm transition planning is hard work. Just thinking about it is enough for some families to not want to think about thinking about it again. It’s a tall task, and not one to be taken lightly.
If you’ve ever wanted a roadmap to navigate the ‘what’s next’ (or what’s first…), a group of KSU Ag Economists has a 12 step resource to consider. Entitled Transition Planning: 12 Steps to Keep the Family Farming, it provides suggestions to help keep the process moving. In some cases that’s a simple next step. In others, it might be questions to ask to help you think through the process or resources to help you get there. If interested, request a copy from any Meadowlark Extension District Office or find it online here.
- Step 1: thinking about what matters most to you and keeping that as a foundation on which to build the transition plan. That may be harder than it sounds but knowing your core values is an important first step.
- Step 2: identify wants, needs, hopes, and fears. This is where answering some very specific questions can be hard – but helpful.
Step 1 requires thinking about what we want ourselves. Step 2 requires difficult communication about topics we might not want to talk about. If you’re stuck on step 2, consider attending the 2025 Kansas Farm and Ranch Transition Conference February 27th in Lawrence featuring Lance Woodbury. He provides facilitation and mediation services to family-owned agriculture businesses and teaches Family Business Management courses at Texas A&M. Woodbury will focus on family communication and working through conflict, both of which can be hangups in the transition process. There will also be attorneys and accountants on hand to share information on the importance of having a plan in place. All attendees will also receive an overview of the Farm Service Agency’s ‘Transition Incentives Program’.
Conference registration ($60) is due February 17th. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Register online here. Additional information is available through any District Office.
