Succession Planning

The 24th annual First State Bank Ag Conference, a special forum for area farmers, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Mendota Civic Center.

There’s nothing quite like the fresh start of a new year. After all the holiday decorations are put away and the college bowl games have wrapped up, many of us start making our resolutions for the year ahead.

Growing up, some of my fondest memories revolved around working on our cattle ranch alongside my father and grandfather. The satisfaction of a successful day’s work still resonates with me today.

Even though there was a significant dry period during the early portion of the growing season, Chris Gould is harvesting a very good corn crop this year.

Jeremy Rutledge is proud of his service to his country, he’s proud of returning to the family farm, but what he’s most proud of is being a father and husband.

A Farm Legacy Panel Discussion is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Engelbrecht Farm, 275 N. 1400 E. Road, Paxton. This is a candid conversation about family, heritage and long-term plans of your farming operation.

Indiana Farm Bureau surveyed more than 2,100 people about future operations on their farm. The survey gave insight on topics such as the financial health of the business and succession planning.

More than 90 people attended the annual Ag Policy Summit at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Topics at the event included expanding conservation opportunities and the challenging financial landscape for farmers.

Registration is open for the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation’s 2023 Estate and Succession Planning for the Family Farm workshop.

Discussing topics such estate planning and mental health may not be comfortable for family members, but are essential.

As a farm succession mediator, I have seen some extreme situations. In fact, the memory of my first client is ingrained in my mind after having to take a shotgun out of his hands.

Many Hoosier farmers today have benefitted from the choices and plans made by their fathers or grandfathers more than 50 years ago. The practice of planning for a farm’s future is a legacy that can be passed forward to tomorrow’s generations.

The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team will offer a virtual series of workshops on “Keeping the Farm Resilient in Uncertain Times.”

The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team is hosting the workshop “Keeping the Farm Resilient in Uncertain Times” for family farm operators interested in learning more about succession planning. The three-night virtual workshop will be offered 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST Feb. 8, 15 and 22.

Ten years of planning, 10 years of want ads and hope and worry ended one day in October when Don Kretschmann realized it wasn’t going to work. No one was going to step in. This was going to be the last harvest at Kretschmann Family Organic Farm.