Farm succession planning is a journey rather than a one-time event. It involves not only the transfer of livestock, machinery, feed and supply inventories and land, but also the transfer of management and possibly the family home. Planning for succession should include intentional conversations to develop plans that fit the farm’s goals and needs. In addition to the succession plan, retirement planning, or as we like to call it, Shifting Gears for Your Later Farming Years, is also an important and parallel planning process.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension has several educational resources for farm businesses considering farm succession. Those resources can be found on their Farm Succession & Estate Planning page.
Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training
The Center for Dairy Profitability, in collaboration with the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN), offers the Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training.
The economic future of our nation’s agriculture depends on the next generation’s ability to access land and business assets. Many farm and ranch operators are realizing the importance of creating a succession plan. Agriculture service professionals who work with these farms and ranches are recognizing that it takes more than a business structure or an estate plan to get those assets transferred to the next generation of managers. Succession planning also includes management transfer, inheritance issues and (surprise!) humans with emotions.
This training will offer:
- Insight on the barriers to farm succession
- Strategies on working with families as they navigate farm succession,
- Facilitation tools to guide the process,
- Opportunities to consider real-life examples of farm succession case studies.
Instructors for this training are Dr. Kiley Fleming, the Executive Director of the Iowa Mediation Service, and Joy Kirkpatrick, a Farm Succession Specialist with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Profitability. Fleming and Kirkpatrick have been instructors for this training since its inception in 2012. They offer over 35 years of combined succession planning experience to the training.
Attorneys, accountants, lenders, Extension educators, financial advisors, Farm/Ranch mediators, and any individuals who want to specialize in farm succession planning are welcome to participate.
Upcoming Trainings:
WHEN: March 28-30, 2022. Training is 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Mon/Tues March 28/29 and 8:00 am – noon on Wed., March 31. Registrants must attend all three days to receive the materials and to be eligible for certification.
WHERE: Central High School Cultural & Educational Complex, Agricultural Complex, 2748 Dogtown Road,
Goochland, Virginia
COST: Registration fees are $950/person if registered before February 11,2022 or $1,000 after February 11th. Registration fees includes lunches, morning/afternoon refreshments and a 2022-2023 International Farm Transition Network membership. Registration does not include evening meals or lodging. Registration will close on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 11:59 pm. Register online at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/farmmarch22/reg
LODGING Suggestions: Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa, 12042 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 804-364-3600; Wingate by Wyndham, 13991 N Gayton Rd, Richmond, VA 804-421-1600; Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond Short Pump, 12341 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 804-773-7111
CANCELLATIONS: A refund, minus a $50 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel on or before Friday, February 11, 2022. A refund, minus a $150 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel after February 11, 2022, but before February 25, 2022. No refunds will be made after Friday, February 25, 2022. Substitutions are welcome at any time. If the conference is cancelled for any reason, your registration fee will be refunded. The meeting organizer is not responsible for the refund of airfare, hotel, or any other costs.
WHEN: May 23rd-25th, 2022. The schedule for the training is 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Mon/Tues May 23/24 and 8:00 am – noon on Wed., May 25. Registrants must attend all three days to receive the materials and to be eligible for certification.
WHERE: Wyndham State College,310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.
COST: Registration fees are $950/person if registered before April 1, 2022, or $1,000 after April 1. Organizations that register three or more people can receive a group discount of $50/person. The group must be registered at the same time and paid for as a group. Registration fees includes lunches, morning/afternoon refreshments and a 2022-2023 International Farm Transition Network membership. Registration does not include lodging or evening meals; however, the Monday evening meal will be provided courtesy of PA Farm Link. Registration will close on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 11:59 pm. Register online at https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/farm22/reg
LODGING: There is a block of rooms at the Wyndham Garden State College. The cost of the rooms is $129/night (plus taxes) that includes complimentary hot breakfast in The View Restaurant. This block of rooms will be available until April 22, 2022. Free parking, free internet available in guest rooms, meeting rooms and public spaces. There is NO airport shuttle. You can make your reservations by calling 814-466-2255 and asking for the IFTN block of rooms, group code: 052322IFT
CANCELLATIONS: A refund, minus a $50 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel on or before Friday, April 1, 2022. A refund, minus a $150 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel after April 1, 2022 but before May 6, 2022. No refunds will be made after Friday, May 6, 2022. Substitutions are welcome at any time. If the conference is cancelled for any reason, your registration fee will be refunded. The meeting organizer is not responsible for the refund of airfare, hotel, or any other costs.