General Programs
Extension professional host succession planning workshops, work directly with farmers and ranchers to assist with their succession plans, and offer additional resources as needed. Check out their website, or contact an agent in your community for more information.
Fulcrum Dispute provides farm transition and mediation services to farm families at no cost. Certified farm transition advisors will meet with you and your family to help begin succession planning, and assist as needed for the duration of the process. Visit their website to learn more, or call Fulcrum Dispute at (208) 667-5325.
The Farm Answers Library features over 5,400 materials including apps, audio, online courses, presentations, written materials, and videos to help answer your farming and ranching questions.
This is a non-profit organization in Canada that develops and distributes leading-edge farm business management information and tools to help facilitate resilience and prosperity. The resources they provide contain a great deal of transition topics.
Annie’s Project offers a variety of extension classes across the country that educate farm women on risk management. The program also hosts a great deal of resources relating to transition and estate planning.
- Browse resources by Annie’s Project and sponsors
- Annie’s Project workshops are available in Idaho. To learn more contact Kate Painter (kpainter@uidaho.edu) or Colette DePhelps (cdephelps@uidaho.edu).
Idaho Program – American Farmland Trust Many Idahoans and local organizations have been calling for agricultural protection for decades. AFT’s Idaho program is excited to identify opportunities to create projects with our donors, peers, and advocates that inform, add value, and strengthen our agricultural communities.
[for landowners]: Land Transfer Navigators – PNW – American Farmland Trust An estimated 41% of agricultural land is projected to change hands by 2035. In response, American Farmland Trust, in partnership with USDA-NRCS, has launched the Land Transfer Navigators program to support retiring landowners and the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
[for service providers]: Land Transfer Navigators – American Farmland Trust Regional forums bring together local professionals to support farm and ranch transfers. Service providers such as attorneys, appraisers, lenders, mediators, and others who specialize in agriculture gather to create robust networks, share resources, and learn from each other.
This organization provides support and guidance to farmers on farm transfer processes.
AgTransitions has easy to use features to help you transition your business to the next generation. Resources such as workbooks and sample transition plans are available to help you get started.
Iowa State University Extension
Visit the information files of ISU’s Extension and Outreach website to read over 50 articles that outline successful farm management practices.
Education and Training
University of Idaho Extension – Succession Planning Education
Extension professional host succession planning workshops across the state for farmers and ranchers at all stages of the succession planning process. The workshops take place in a 4-part series. Contact an agent in your area to inquire about this workshop.
Ag Legacy Program: WYU Extension
The Ag Legacy program is an effort to assist rural families in creating their own legacy by beginning the thought process and opening the lines of communication for succession planning. It consists of a series of online modules related to communication, transferring management skills, and end of life planning. Visit the website to learn more.
Dick is board chair and former manager of a 20,000-acre dry land crop, range cattle, and timber operation in northern Idaho. Management of the farm has transitioned to a partnership of four other family partners. He, along with his daughter, Cori, provide private consulting to farm, ranch, and agricultural support businesses.
Estate Planning
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Farm Bureau Financial Services can help farmers and ranchers align their estate strategy with their larger financial plan. Visit their Learning Center or blog to utilize estate planning educational resources.
Iowa State University Extension
Visit the information files of ISU’s Extension and Outreach website to read nearly 60 articles that outline the process of succession and estate planning.
Annie’s Project offers a variety of extension classes across the country that educate farm women on risk management. The program also hosts a great deal of resources relating to transition and estate planning.
- Browse resources by Annie’s Project and sponsors relating to wills, trusts, setting the farm up to transfer to the next generation
As the largest public accounting firm based in Idaho, Cooper Norman advisors are located in four offices across the state and offer valuable industry and marketplace insight. They also provide advice and guidance related to succession and estate planning on farm and ranch operations.
Contact Cooper Norman offices in Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls
Farm Transfer Strategies – This article provides an overview of strategies and options for completing estate plans and transition.
Estate Planning Goals – This article reviews goals and steps for estate planning.
Good farm policy: Avoid these top 10 estate planning mistakes – This article outlines to most common mistakes farmers and ranchers make with estate planning.
Preparing to Transfer the Farm – Overview and important consideration when starting the transfer process (Minnesota Extension)
Retirement Planning for Farm Families – This document addresses two primary challenges – visualization of a retirement lifestyle and confidence in funding that lifestyle.
Trusts as an Estate Planning Tool – The trust is a very useful and flexible tool for estate planning. Yet it is probably the most underused estate management technique.
Succession Resources
Getting started
Wittman Consulting Sample Family Agenda — A complete layout of a first family meeting when discussing succession and estate planning
Transferring Your Farm or Ranch to the Next Generation – How to combine legal, economic and social decision-making (Montana Extension)
Your Farmland and the Future: Setting Goals, Taking Action – Teresa Opheim, Director Farm Transfer Program
Planning the Future of Your Farm: A Workbook Supporting Farm Transfer Decisions (Virginia tech Extension)
How to Talk About Farm Succession – Farm Bureau Financial Services
Your Complete Guide to Farm Succession Planning – Farm Bureau Financial Services
5 Tips for Succession Planning – Dr. Ron Hanson
Incoming Generation
Owner to Potential Heir Questionnaire — Ask your potential heirs questions in regards to the transition of the farm/ranch (Idaho Extension)
Potential Heir to Owner Questionnaire — Ask the owner questions in regards to the transition of the farm/ranch (Idaho Extension)
Farm Succession and Transfer: Strategies for the Junior Generation – Step-by-step guide that outlines transition planning to help younger farmers get started.
Retiring Generation
Retirement Calculator — How much money should you be saving or will you need in retirement? (Idaho Extension)
Social Security Calculator — How much money will you collect in social security? (Idaho Extension)
Your Land, Your Legacy: Deciding the future of your land to meet the needs of you and your family – Guidebook that outlines the processes of farm transfer (Land For Good)
Preparing to Transfer the Farm – Overview and important consideration when starting the transfer process (Minnesota Extension)
The Idaho Farm and Ranch Succession Planning Course
Do you need to start or revisit succession planning?
The Idaho Farm and Ranch Succession Planning Course was created to help you start those difficult conversations. Work through the 28-lesson course at your own pace to learn the process of succession planning, identify generational values, start family conversations, and create a transfer management plan.
