Making a Difference
2013 - 2014
Farm Management Program Focus Team
Managing Transitions: Passing on the Family Farm
Grand
Challenges
K-State Research
and Extension:
providing education
you can trust to help
people, businesses,
and communities
solve problems,
develop skills, and
build a better future.
Jody Holthaus
Agricultural and
Natural Resources
Agent
785-364-4125
jholthau@ksu.edu
Jonie James
Agricultural and
Natural Resources
Agent
620-241-1523
jjames@ksu.edu
Gregg Hadley
Assistant Director
Agricultural and
Natural Resources
785-532-5838
ghadley@ksu.edu
Situation
Since 2006, high grain prices and resulting opportunities have influenced more
young people to return to the family farm. More than 3 out of 5 students in the 2012
undergraduate farm management class said they planned to return to the farm, up
from fewer than 1 in 5 just seven years before. The change requires consideration of the
operational structure, taxes, estate and retirement planning, financial analysis, human
resources management, and family communications. A recent downturn in grain prices
has added financial pressure on farms that have started the transition: The operation may
be less financially able to support more individuals than when grain prices were higher.
What We Did
Local agricultural agents took the lead in providing educational opportunities. More than
350 participants attended one of nine workshops across the state between December
2013 and March 2014. The programs’ fee structure was set to encourage families to attend
together, enhancing intergenerational communication. Additional resources through
K-State Research and Extension’s Farm Analyst Program were offered to participants so
the process begun at the workshops could continue through development of a firm plan.
Outcomes
Participants learned the importance of setting business and personal goals, principles
of financial analysis, skills in human resources management, family communications
techniques (including some role-playing and homework assignments), estate and tax
planning strategies, along with considerations for retirement planning.
Success Story
A participant at Holton noted:
“Thank you! As a young couple, this planning is something we have been begging our
parents to do for years now! We hope that since this info has now come from the mouth
of “professionals” and not just “children,” that it will make it more obvious that a plan needs
to be made. Wonderful info. Gave lots to think about –— need more meetings like this.”
A participant at the meeting in McPherson said:
“We need places like this in Kansas, specifically for agricultural (farm) succession that you
can go to for advice that are well qualified. Not for people with farm problems, just how to
move into succession for retirement and next generation. Well done. Need classes like this
in other counties.”
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.