By Carol Engle, K-State Research and Extension Frontier District
OVERBROOK, Kan. — A workshop series for women in agriculture will offer strategies to evaluate and improve farm estate and transition plans.
“Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series,” will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, at Grace Community Church in Overbrook.
“We would encourage men to attend the workshop series, too,” said Ryan Schaub, Frontier District crop production and farm management agent. “The more a family learns about the process for handling its agricultural assets, the better their plan can become. Really, this series is for everyone who owns agricultural land.”
The workshops will be hosted simultaneously at 62 other sites across Kansas, Nebraska and Indiana. The series is being produced through a collaborative effort by extension programs at Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue University.
Topics covered will include motivation for succession planning, communicating with family, the financial aspects of estate and transition plans, and the legal aspects of putting a plan in place. During each of the four meetings, a keynote speaker will be simulcast to every workshop location, and time will then be spent on questions and a hands-on activity for participants. A meal will be provided at the beginning of each meeting.
“Planning for what happens to your farm or ranch when you are gone can be daunting, but it’s so important for the transition to the next generation to go smoothly,” said Ashlee Westerhold, director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition out of the K-State Department of Ag Economics. “This series will help participants learn best practices and new strategies to help the transition and estate planning processes so they can take that back to their farm or ranch and help lead the way in creating or reevaluating their plans.”
LaVell Winsor, K-State Farm Analyst, said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information. “Connections are so important to rural women,” she said. “We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigate the isolation that many of us in agriculture often feel.”
Janae McNally, Frontier District adult development and aging and family resource management agent, sees the benefits of individuals of all ages participating in the series. “My hope is that multiple generations of a family will learn the terms and processes involved with protecting the family’s assets. Sometimes it’s the older generation that we think needs this education, but it is so helpful when the younger generations can understand the significance of succession planning and be a helpful part of the discussion.”
The registration fee for in-person attendance is $60.00 before Jan. 12, 2025, which includes all four night’s meals and educational materials. The fee increases to $75.00 after Jan. 12, and a workbook is not guaranteed. For in-person registration, the fee will be collected at the local site the first night of the program. In-person participation is HIGHLY encouraged, if at all possible, but an online option is available for $75.00 for family members who live out of state or for people who cannot participate at an in-person site.
More information and registration are available at www.AgManager.info/events.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number2023-70027-40444.
