Farm Succession Planning

As a new year begins, families are busy planning for special occasions, sporting events, holidays, and more. But something else to think about when it comes to planning is the success of your farm or operation for the next generation. This can be done through succession planning. 

Dr Ron Hanson
Dr. Ron Hanson

Dr. Ron Hanson, Harlan Agribusiness Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was a guest speaker on the Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast about his upcoming opportunity to speak at the 2025 Ohio Farm Bureau Winter Leadership Experience regarding succession planning. Planning for the future of your farm can often be a very rigid experience. Dr. Hanson helps counsel farm families to resolve conflicts while helping the next generation assure their financial future on the family farm while also assuring the generation aging out that the legacy will continue. 

“One of the challenging questions I will ask is, if something happened today, unexpectedly and suddenly, does everyone in the family know and understand what happens tomorrow?” Hanson said.

Less than 20% of families have a succession plan in place, according to a recent market study. While these conversations can be emotional and challenging, it can be the most important decision you make for the future of your operation. 

Meet Dr. Hanson at Winter Leadership Experience

Winter Leadership Experience conference attendees will be able to network with Dr. Hanson about this subject during his session at the Winter Leadership Experience. New this year, members of all ages are welcome to attend, providing a great opportunity for multi-generations to attend, learn and begin planning for the future of their family farms and legacies together.   

Interested in learning more about succession planning? 

Nationwide’s Land as Your Legacy program provides families with the resources needed to preserve the land and businesses they have worked hard to build for generations. A Farm Bureau family in Jefferson County had great success with the program. Read about their experience here

2025 Winter Leadership Experience

Feb 7-8, Kalahari Conventions and Resorts, Sandusky. Registration due Jan. 22

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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