Workshop to guide farm families through generational transitions

Jenna Nees

To successfully guide a farm operation from generation to generation, farm owners and families need to have a plan for where they are going and knowledge of how they will fund that transition.

The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team (https://www.cdext.purdue.edu/collaborative-projects/succession-planning/) is hosting workshops, along with individualized sessions, to help farms strategically structure a farm succession plan.

The “Farming Together: Cultivating Relationships and Having the Cash to Bring in the Next Generation” workshop will be a day-long event hosted at 10 Indiana locations. Workshops will be held at various locations beginning Jan. 12 through Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Farm owners often want to start with legal matters associated with transition planning. However, farm families need to find consensus on their goals and where they envision the operation moving in the future first,” says Renee Wiatt, Purdue family business management specialist. “A large part of agreeing on goals and future vision for the farm can be achieved through proper relationships and communication, as well as knowing where to start.”

A local lawyer will be available at each of the regional meetings. After the workshop, families can schedule virtual guidance sessions for individualized discussions with the Purdue team and collaborators to discuss topics of their choice.

The cost for the workshop is $30 per person with lunch included. Registration is online at . The list of workshop locations is as follows:

• Jan. 12: Mooresville Public Library Community Room, 220 W. Harrison St., Mooresville;

• Jan. 17: Clay County Fairgrounds, 6656 N. State Rd. 59, Brazil;

• Jan. 19: Purdue Extension Bartholomew County Office, 783 S. Marr Rd., Columbus;

• Jan. 19: Hopewell Mennonite Church, 805 N. Main St., Kouts (Central time);

• Jan. 25: Kokomo Public Library, 120 E. Mulberry St., Room 100, Kokomo;

• Jan. 26: Purdue Extension Wayne County Office, 861 Salisbury Rd. Richmond;

• Jan. 26: White County Fairgrounds, 12 N. CR 25 East, Reynolds;

• Jan. 26: Purdue Extension Harrison County Office, 247 Atwood St., Corydon;

• Feb. 1: Spencer County Youth and Community Center, 1101 E. CR 800 North, Chrisney; and

• Feb. 2: Huntington University Habecker Dining Commons, 502 Lake St., Huntington.

The Purdue Succession Planning Team is comprised of Purdue Extension educators and specialists who seek to address the needs of families planning the continuation of farm businesses. The team currently offers programming through regional workshops, succession planning presentations and farm family consultations.

The workshops are made possible through grant funding from North Central Extension Risk Management Education.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Evening and lunch appointments are available, upon request. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 – Winter Walking group, 4 p.m., York Automotive Building, Putnam County Fairgrounds

Jan. 9 – 4-H Grows Investors, register using 4honline or contact office, 7:30 p.m., virtual

Jan. 17 – “Farming Together: Cultivating Relationships and Having the Cash to Bring in the Next Generation,” 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Mooresville Public Library, register at https://cvent.me.y80Vgo

Jan. 18 – “Power of Negotiation and Communication” program series starts, 5:30 p.m., register at puext.in/PowerOfNegotiation

Jan. 17 – “Farming Together: Cultivating Relationships and Having the Cash to Bring in the Next Generation,” 10 a.m.– 3 p.m., Clay County Fairgrounds, register at https://cvent.me.y80Vgo