Ohio to Host International Farm Succession Coordinator Training in April

By David Marrison

OSU Extension and the Ohio Farm Transition Network are pleased to be hosting the International Farm Transition Network’s (IFTN) Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training on April 20-22 in Wooster, Ohio.  

Succession planning is not only about the transfer of assets, but also about the transfer of labor, skills, and decision making. It requires financial analysis to ensure the business can support the goals of all the members and requires planning and communication skills. Many farm businesses are realizing the importance of creating a succession plan and the value of a skilled facilitator to lead the process of clarifying their goals and ideas, exploring options, and coordinating communication. A facilitated process can lead to better informed business planning and estate planning decisions. This training will help equip professionals with the tools to work with farm families to strategically plan for the transition of their farm's assets and management.

Training Details

This 20-hour training will offer participants insight into the barriers to farm succession, strategies for working with families, facilitation tools to guide the process, and opportunities to consider real-life examples of farm transfer conflicts. Upon completion of the training, registrants are eligible to complete a certification exam to become a Certified IFTN Farm Succession Coordinator.

The training will be held at the Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center in Wooster, Ohio on Monday, April 20 (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Tuesday, April 21 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Wednesday, April 22 (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.). Lunch will be provided each day as well as dinner on Monday. Tuesday evening dinner is on your own.

Instructors for this training include Joy Kirkpatrick (Farm Succession Outreach Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison), Kiley Fleming (Executive Director of the Iowa Mediation Service), and David Marrison (OSU Extension Field Specialist in Farm Management). All have been farm succession instructors for over a decade and have extensive experience in human resources, facilitation, and mediation.