farm & ranch transition resources

The transition process of your farm or ranch operation can feel overwhelming - that’s where our Keep Farmers Farming consultants can help. Here are a few resources you can use as you start down your transition path. When you’re ready, reach out and we will have a conversation over a cup of coffee.

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  • Passing the family farm or ranch down to the next generation is the hope of many producers, but the how-to of transitioning can be complicated without the proper order of giving and receiving. Keep Farmers Farming Legacy consultant Alan Hojer believes transitioning and estate transfer is giving at its core. He says when you give, that's when you really live.

    Listen in as Alan discusses the giving of knowledge and information.

  • In farm and ranch transition, utilizing a business entity can aid in dealing with the complexities of the transition. Learn more about the different entity types here.

  • Inspiration or obligation. The job may be the same, but mindset changes everything. Legacy consultant Alan Hojer with the Keep Farmers Farming program says family dynamics on the farm or ranch are no different.

    Listen as Alan discusses inspiration vs. obligation.

  • Estate planning, succession planning, and transition planning are often talked about together as farmers and ranchers prepare for the future, but each one serves a different purpose. Keep Farmers Farming legacy consultant Alan Hojer explains estate planning focuses primarily on the transfer of wealth after death.

    And succession planning is really about replacing people, replacing somebody. In other words, when somebody is going to retire, what is the succession plan for that individual?

    Succession and transition sound similar, but transition planning goes a step further, emphasizing the transfer of business culture, values, and practical know-how.

    Listen as Alan Hojer discusses the differences between types of planning.

  • While roughly 98% of farms and ranches across this nation are owned and run by families, the business needs of these operations can be overlooked. As farms and ranches expand by bringing on more family, utilizing a business entity can aid in dealing with the complexities of the transition. Legacy Consultant Alan Hojer with Keep Farmers Farming explains business structures often utilized in agriculture include general partnerships, LLCs and sub chapter S corporations. He says which entity to utilize needs to be explored.

    Listen as Alan discusses the differences between types of business entities.