NORTH DAKOTA
FARM/RANCH TRANSITION
PLANNING
Program Design, Implementation
& Impact
• By: Willie Huot, NDSU
• Extension Agent/Farm Business
Mgt. & Economics,
Situation
• State Population
– 642,000
• Majority of people live in 10 population
centers
• Large part of population live in near Eastern
• Rapid growth in Western counties (Oil patch)
• 33 of 53 counties less than 6000 population
• 40 of 53 counties less than 10,000 population
Distance Education Technology
• Started in 1991
– Universities & larger counties
• Has continued to grow in locations &
Usage
• Majority of population is familiar with
technology
• University usage has continued to expand
Interactive Video Network
Technology
• Now Available in nearly every county
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Universities/colleges
Experiment stations
Extension Offices
Public schools
Hospitals
Law enforcement centers
Others
Uses of ND Interactive Video
Network(IVN)
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Annual Tax Management Seminars since 1990
Marketing outlook sessions
Market Club Education Opportunities
In-Service training sessions
• Annie’s Project in 2006
• Launched Estate Planning in 2010
Annie’s Project in ND
2006 - 2011
– Over 1,000 women participated
– Delivered via Interactive Video Network &
local presenters
– Effective & efficient delivery system
– Revealed the need for expanded education on
“Farm/Ranch Transition & Estate Planning
We Learned That
Interactive Video• Can be used as an effective delivery tool
• Greatly reduces costs
• Can be challenging if used exclusively for the
delivery method
• Requires scheduling many months in advance
• Requires special skills for
presenters
Planning Process
• Steering Committee
– Frequent Conference Calls
• In-Service Training Sessions
– Spring (Daylong)
• Evaluation & Next year’s initial Site Selection
– Fall ( Over two days)
• Details for upcoming session
• Computer training
Use of Web Site
• www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject
– Annie’s Project
– Estate Planning Courses
Farm/Ranch Transition Planning
• Patterned somewhat after Missouri Model
• Pilot Project in 2010
– Six Sites
– Delivery & Resources
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IVN
Local Experts
Note book of resource materials
Web Sites
Format
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Thee sessions each 3 hours long
Half of content delivered via IVN
Half of content delivered via local experts
Registration fee $55 - $75
Major topics
– Communication
– Farm & Ranch Business Arrangements
– Succession Planning &Asset transfer strategies
IVN Presentations
• Getting Started; Importance of
Communication
• Farm Business Arrangements; Pros & Cons
of different business structures
• Farm Estate & Succession Planning
Farm/Ranch Transition Planning
Sites; 2010 –2012
Bottineau
Langdon
Cando
Williston
Stanley
Watford
City
Minot
Towner
Devils
Lake
Maddock
Washburn
Killdeer
Carrington
Beulah
Jamestown
Beach
Grand
Forks
Dickinson
Mandan/Bismarck
Napoleon
Elgin
Ashley
Valley
City
Casselton
Fargo
Lisbon
Oakes
Wahpeton
Forman
Delivery Methods
Local Presenters
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Attorneys
CPA’s
Judges
Certified Financial Planners
Others
Program Shifts for 2011-2012
• Focused primarily on Farm/Ranch
Transition
• Kept delivery methods the same
• More emphasis on showcasing online
resources
• Developed Facilitators manual
Impacts
• Over 860 participants @ 29 sites
• 98% Indicated major gain in knowledge
• 94% Intend to initiate/advance their asset
transfer plans
• 92% Increased their comfort level in
communicating with their family member
re: estate planning topics
Electronic Delivery Advantages
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Gets all facilitators “on the same page”
Unifies the program state wide
Reach multiple sites simultaneously
Increases program visibility
Efficient use of resources
Greatly reduces program costs
Electronic Delivery Challenges
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Restricts where project can be offered
Technical problem possibilities
Reduces “face-to-face” delivery
Requires precise timing at all sites
Technology acceptance not universal
Distance Learning-Keys to
Success
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Committed staff
Sponsorships
Electronic Delivery System
In-Service Trainings
Web site Usage
Facilitators Manual
Support from National Team
Questions or Comment?
Contact Willie Huot
NDSU Extension Service
Willie.huot@ndsu.edu