Building a lasting legacy for your farm

By Scout Nelson

A new multi-state workshop series, Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series, will be held across Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana to support women in agriculture. The series aims to provide essential strategies for creating or improving farm estate and transition plans. The workshops will take place on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, and Feb. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Central time.

The program, organized by extension programs at Kansas State University, Purdue University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, covers various key topics. These include understanding the motivations behind succession planning, effective communication with family members, and the financial and legal aspects of developing a robust estate plan. Each session will feature a keynote speaker, followed by time for questions and hands-on activities designed to engage participants.

“Planning for what happens to your things when you’re gone can be daunting, but it’s so important, especially in agriculture, so that the transition to the next generation goes smoothly,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “This series will help women 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.”

The workshops also aim to strengthen the networks of rural women by offering opportunities to share experiences, build trust, and reduce the isolation that many women in agriculture face. Groskopf added that these connections provide valuable support and a sense of community.

In-person attendance is available for $60 before Jan. 13, increasing to $75 after that date. A virtual option is offered for $75. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions to maximize the benefits of the series. Keynote presentations will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing for those unable to attend live.

For more information on locations and registration details, visit the relevant extension offices.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski