Farm Succession and Transition Planning

The Huron County Economic Development Department is gathering thought-provoking information for farmers to help move them to productive transition conversations and action. A collection of podcasts, audiobooks YouTube videos, blogs, newsletters and e-books will be curated for farmers to and farm families learn about how to start the conversation and how to navigate conversations along the way.

Preparing Your Farm Business for Transition

Preparing a farm for transition requires planning & help from a team of advisors. Use
this checklist as a first step in exploring how you want to transition your farm.

Farm Transition Planning – Videos and Podcasts

Finding Fairness in Farm Transition

Farmers navigate tough conversations and situations every single day, but talking about farm succession and transition is a once-in-a-lifetime event that can come with its own unique set of challenges. Elaine Froese, a farm transition specialist, shares tips and tricks on setting yourself up for success when transitioning the farm to the next generation.

Podcast: “Rural Realities” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Transition Planning Secrets of Success - Gen 1 Founders

In this episode, Elaine Froese discusses how the founding generation can successfully transition the farm to the next generation. She shares the best of her wisdom from over 40 years of helping families transition their farm to the next generation. Learn about common mistakes and best practices, and four big key questions that founders should be thinking about to transition the farm. Are you the founding generation of the farm? If so, you will not want to miss this episode and the wisdom that Elaine shares to get you started or unstuck on your farm transition journey.

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Transition Planning Secrets of Success - Gen 2 Successors

Are you a Gen 2 Successor? Do you feel like your farm succession/transition plan is stuck in neutral? Maybe your parents refuse to discuss the subject, leaving you frustrated, resentful, and fearful for your future? If so, this episode is right for you. First off, it doesn’t need to be this way. Secondly, you don’t have to travel this path alone.

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Discussing the "Undiscussabull"

Whether you need to discuss farm viability, succession to the next generation, future visions or just a simple operation change with your family, going into the conversation with healthy conversation tools and the right mind set is key. Elaine Froese, a farm transition specialist and lifelong farmer, shares insight on conflict resolution and how to start and properly discuss these “undiscussabull” topics on the farm.

Podcast: “Rural Realities” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Farming's In-Law Factor

What is the one thing that every farm family wants? It is simple; everyone wants harmony; however, it is not always the reality that we see on many farms. Unresolved in-law tensions can create chaos and split the farm. Elaine says that it is time to take the bull by the horns and solve the people conflicts on your farm. Are you a daughter in-law, mother in-law, father in-law or son in-law? If so, you will not want to miss this episode. Your ‘good’ farm team can become ‘great’ with better conflict resolution skills and more role clarity.

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Let’s Stop Procrastinating

This episode talks about the very real danger behind procrastinating when it comes to transition planning. Three scenarios and what farm kids should do if they are stuck in any of these situations are discussed and Elaine speaks to the importance of blocking time off for essential conversations that can so quickly go ignored. Are you ready to have a straight-to-the-point conversation about transition planning? If so, this episode is for you!

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Living an Intentional Life

What does living an intentional life look like? What are the stages we go through? How do we make sure that those stages do the work they were intended by God to accomplish? In this podcast episode, learn this and much more!

Podcast: “Working Cows” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Managing Generational Expectations

This episode discusses the different ways succession has been handled throughout the decades. They talk about how to facilitate healthy communication as well as how to manage expectations for your first family meeting.

Podcast: “Working Cows” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Getting the Succession Discussion Started

In this episode, they discuss the process of getting the succession planning discussion started as well as some realistic goals and expectations. They also take some voicemails about getting people to join in the discussion and what to do when someone wants to change the agreement.

Podcast: “Working Cows” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Farm Culture Beats Strategy

In this podcast episode, Elaine defines culture as the invisible glue that holds a business or a family team together. Elaine has created a three-part framework to help people learn about and create a strong culture on their farm. Throughout the conversation, Elaine shares some really amazing insights on how the differences between farm family team members can either cause challenges and/or complement each other to build an even stronger farm family team. Awareness is the key. Do you farm with family members? Whether it’s your spouse or a multigeneration farm family, watch this episode!

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Fair and Equal

Succession planning is a transition of labor, management, and ownership. Estate planning is your will, power of attorney and your tax planning for when you pass on. In this episdoe, Elaine explains why she believes, “equal” shouldn’t be a part of the conversation anymore. More focus needs to be spent on finding fairness. Fair is helping everyone be successful. Do you have multiple children in your farm family? If so, you will not want to miss this episode. This one concept can lift a tremendous burden from your shoulders.

Podcast: “Impact Farming Show” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Preparing for the Future

In this episode, they chat farm succession, what we experience in each decade as aging farmers and how to have uncomfortable conversations with your family on the farm or ranch. This conversation needs to be heard from the young farmer on up to the eldest on the farm or ranch!

Podcast: “Midwest Farm Wives” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Hayes Family Transition Plan

Succession planning or transition planning, no matter what you call it, never is easy to do. Listen in as  expert Elaine Froese works through a live discussion with the Hayes Family. From Central Iowa the Father and 3 sons work through the first steps towards putting a plan in place to transition their farm to the next generation.

Podcast: “Farm for Profit” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Transition Planning Q&A

Elaine Froese, the “Farm Whisperer” takes on questions asked by listeners about creating and navigating a family transition plan. Listen in for great perspective and tricks for making the process effective and efficient for your family.

Podcast: “Farm for Profit” with special guest Elaine Froese, Farm Family Transition Expert.

Three Ways to Advance Farm Transition Planning

‘Canada’s farm whisperer’ recommends key discussion topics for farm families.

Article: “Farmtario”.

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