A Purdue Extension workshop series for women in agriculture will offer strategies for evaluating and improving farm estate and transition plans.
“Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series,” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Eastern time in Columbia City, Indiana on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, at the Purdue Extension office, 524 Branch Court, Columbia City, IN. Huntington County Extension will also be assisting with the program.
The workshops will also be hosted at sites across Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana. The series is being produced through a collaborative effort by extension programs at Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Purdue University.
Topics covered will include motivation for succession planning, communicating with family, the financial aspects of estate and transition plans, and the legal aspects of putting a plan in place. A keynote speaker will be simulcast to every workshop location during each meeting, with time for questions and a hands-on activity for participants. A meal will be provided on each date.
“Planning for what happens to your farm assets when you’re gone can be daunting, but it’s so important, especially in agriculture, so that the transition to the next generation goes smoothly,” said John Woodmansee, Whitley County Extension Educator. “This series will help participants learn best practices and new strategies for the transition and estate planning processes so they can take that back to their farm or ranch and help lead the way in creating or reevaluating their plans.”
Woodmansee said the program’s structure is intended to strengthen networks of women in rural areas, which can provide opportunities for building trust and sharing information, but men are also certainly invited. “Connections are so important to rural women,” he said. “We have seen the benefits that come from knowing your peers, having a place to share difficulties, and mitigating the isolation that so many in agriculture often feel.”
The registration fee for in-person attendance is $60 before Jan. 13 and increases to $75 on or after Jan. 13. A virtual option is available for $75. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. More information and registration is available at https://purdue.link/Legacy.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40444. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity university.