Each winter we host 20-30 senior generation farmers from across New England at a Farm Succession School. The school provides structured and sustained support to help farmers make decisions, engage their families, and organize the legal and financial considerations of the farm succession planning process.
This year we’re taking the classroom virtual, amid the pandemic, with a free webinar series. Going virtual will likely engage more farmers to attend, learn, and share ideas. Farmers from across New England (and beyond) of all farm sizes and enterprises, including the junior generation, are welcome. Family members are encouraged to attend together!
Several years back, my husband and I began to realize that as our ages were creeping up, we needed to address the question of farm succession to our next generation. Fortunately, we learned of an organization called Land for Good and signed up for their Farm Succession School. For us, it has kicked off a long-term relationship that is guiding and inspiring us through the process of gradually transferring our farm to our two sons in legal, financial, communicational, organizational and interpersonal ways,” shared Janet Woodward. Read this farmer’s personal reflection on transferring the farm.
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Why succession planning? Over 10,000 New England farmers are likely to exit farming in the next decade. Many lack adequate farm transfer or succession plans. Without the proper resources and support, many farms will go out of production or become part of larger farms, further reducing the opportunities for next-generation farmers to acquire and grow viable farms. Succession planning resources and workshops for farmers should be widely available.
Start with the basics. This webinar series is an opportunity for farmers and farm families to learn the basics of farm succession planning, how to get started, where to find advisors and additional resources, ask questions of succession planning experts, and get support on this challenging process.
- March 16 – Getting Started: Resources, Tips & Where to Get Assistance
- March 23 – Financial Considerations: Taxes, Viability & Retirement
- March 30 – Legal Considerations: Business Entities & Estate Planning
No obstacles to attending. We will provide a Zoom link at the time of registration. Not familiar with Zoom? Our staff can offer an orientation before the webinar begins so you are comfortable to join us. If you prefer to connect via telephone, we can provide dial-in information, too. Have a challenging internet connection? Let us know and we may be able to offer tips/options that will help. Plus the webinars are free! No fees are charged for this webinar due to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Advance registration is required. Registration will provide you with access to all of the webinars in this series plus class worksheets and resources, as well as access to recordings if you’re unable to attend. Register now!
More help is available. After completing this series, you are invited to work with Land For Good staff for one-to-one assistance in moving forward with your succession plan. For a limited time, no/low-cost individualized technical assistance is available for farmers wanting support with their farm succession planning. Contact us today to reserve your spot for assistance.
For more information on this free webinar series, call (603) 357-1600 or email shemariah@landforgood.org.
Funded in part by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Grant # 2018-70017-28531 as part of the Land Access Project.
