Whenever I think about family farm transition planning – I always think of a paradoxical statement. Yes, the landscape of transition planning in the dairy sector is becoming increasingly complex and yet the issues and opportunities many families face today have been the same for decades – they’re just now at a heightened level. 

I started writing columns 30 years ago, and I landed here in Progressive Dairy more than eight years ago. This will be my last column (for now). Letting go of this communication channel is a transition for me as I now have successors. I am activating what Shine’s author, Gino Wickman, calls the 10-year plan. 

We spoke to more than 100 dairy operators, farmers and ranchers, and the top three concerns were protecting assets for future generations, minimizing tax liabilities and ensuring a successful succession or exit strategy. Let’s explore how family farmers can address each one.

Transitioning a dairy operation through lease, sale or partnership involves more complexity than many other farm enterprises. This article discusses some key areas that require careful attention.

Normalizing the fact that there will be tensions and taking the time to consider your farm’s tensions can set the farm on the path to a more resilient succession plan. This article discusses strategies for a smoother succession process.

Every farm family has a story, and I have had the joy of spending two days with 380 Nebraska women in agriculture at their 40th conference. In her session, Katie Samples Dean, a very direct and farm-owner lawyer, suggested that many plans for succession and transition are foiled or are the wrong plan because Grandma did or does not understand the consequences of her decision-making.

I recently coached a wealthy farmer to have an individual conversation with each of his nonfarm heirs. He had never thought that this was something he could do. Were his children wanting land, money or something else? If it terrifies you to even think of asking the next generation, consider why.