Generational Transition Program

The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition (NGLC) wants to assist farm and ranch families with the often daunting task of transitioning their family farm or ranch. NGLC has hired an individual who will work directly with families interested in taking estate and transition planning steps.

Through grant funds, Bethany Johnston was recently hired as the NGLC Ranch Transition Task Manager.

Producer Panel & Attorney Will Share at Generational Transition Workshop

     Time is a scare commodity- especially for farmers and ranchers.  Are you too busy to finish your estate and transition plan?  What happens if your family’s farming or ranching operation is unable to transfer to the next generation? 

     Now is the time to start your transition!  A meeting will be held to help families navigate the common landmines including legal, financial, and communication issues on Thursday, November 21^st at Hartington, Nebraska.

     Several respected Nebraska farmers and ranchers have agreed to share their experiences with generational transition. Learn from this panel of producers, who have experienced transitions, each in their own way.  The panel will discuss what worked and what did not work for their operations and families. 

Is “Equal” the Same as “Fair”?

“The most unfair thing you can do to your children is to treat them all equally,” stated a farm/ranch transition expert.

The story of “the Little Red Hen” cames to my mind.  The hen and her chick plant the seed, tend, harvest, grind, and bake the wheat into bread.  Although the poultry clan ask other farm yard animals for help, the other animals refuse to participate.  After smelling the hot crusty loaf, the other farm animals want to eat the bread they did not contribute to.  Was it fair if the Little Red Hen chose to only share the bread with her chick?  Was it fair?  Was it equal?

FREE LEGAL & FINANCIAL CLINICS IN OCTOBER

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers in October. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an Ag Law Attorney and an Ag Financial counselor. 

These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.  The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters.     

To sign up for a clinic or for more information, call the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  Read more...

Farms Dwindle. How Many Will be Left in One Generation?

Unprecedented consolidation is on its way.  According to an article in the Successful Farmer (May 2019), only “one out of every four or five commercial operators today” will be farming in the future.  “They (mega-operators) (will be) CEO farmers.”

But this generation has the ability to change this forecast?  How?