Succession planning workshop scheduled in Nebraska

One-day workshop will take place Wednesday, December 2nd

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Greg Ibach, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, is encouraging farm families to attend free, one-day workshops aimed at tackling some of the more sensitive issues of family farming – succession planning and estate planning.

“It is not an easy task to decide the best path to take in handing down a farm or ranch operation from one generation to another,” said Ibach. “These free workshops offer families the information they need to begin the planning process. It’s also an opportunity for farm or ranch owners who don’t have family members available to take over their operation, to learn more about other options that can help a beginning farmer or rancher get started in the industry.”

The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2^nd, 2015 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hartington, Nebraska.

Dave Goeller, Deputy Director, Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, UNL, and Joe Hawbaker, Agricultural Law attorney from Hawbaker Law Office will discuss a variety of topics including beginning farmer loan and tax credit opportunities, the importance of communication and the stages of succession planning.

“Hartington is located in the core area of dairy production in Nebraska,” said Ibach. “The dairy industry is a sector that needs, and can benefit from, sound succession and estate planning to assure the next generation takes over an operation that might otherwise disappear.”

Anyone interested in attending the workshop must register by calling the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 or the Cedar County Extension office.

Join the conversation and tell us if you are considering attending the workshop. What kind of advice do you have for families thinking about succession planning?