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. 

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.

Any time is a good time to work on the state of your union – marriage, spousal relationships or couple care. John Gottman, Ph.D, a highly respected American psychologist, authored The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work. I’ve added a farm perspective to his tips.

The Appreciative Inquiry process has challenged our approach to problem-solving. How could focusing on the positive elements of our family business resolve conflicts? It sounds contradictory, doesn't it?

If you are gearing up for spring planting or tending to livestock, you know there are many daily tasks to complete, and your mind may be saying “The work on this farm is never done.” Many young farmers are keen to work hard to prove they are ready to become farm managers, but what tools are helpful for founders and successors to delegate the tasks ahead?

The average age of landowners is the oldest in history, land values are at an all-time high, and the cash flow needed to acquire land is outside of long-term profitability. I see an opportunity here for young farmers to be developing relationships with non-related parties. Somewhere, the perfect storm is begging a new money script from parents as to what is a reasonable expectation for the transfer of farm wealth if the family really wants to keep the farm business intact.