Stay Informed

The Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team is offering a workshop to introduce farmers and their families to the legal, financial and team-building aspects of transferring farm ownership.

“Next Steps to Successfully Growing Future Farm Generations” will be presented by attorneys and estate planning experts Michelle Adler, John Collins, Polly Dobbs and Jeff Washburn. Topics include the timing of succession, communication and team building, insurance, retirement planning, asset transfer and goal setting.

“Farm succession planning is a crucial part of ensuring your family farm business's long-term viability,” said Kelly Heckaman, Extension educator in Kosciusko County. “But it can be a daunting process, so if people are uncertain about how to begin or would like some advice, these workshops could be really beneficial.”

Sessions will be offered throughout the state. The schedule:

• Jan. 18: First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway Street., Shelbyville
• Jan. 26: Blue Gate Garden Inn, 800 S. Van Buren Street., Shipshewana
• Feb. 1: Washington Community Building, 501 Burkhart Drive, Washington
• Feb. 8: Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1300 E. 100 S., Lebanon
• Feb. 14: Wayne County Fairgrounds, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond

Each session is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and concludes with an opportunity for farm families to meet with the Purdue Succession Planning Team.

Registration is $75 per person for the first four family members and $15 for each additional member. Forms are available for download on the Purdue website and should be mailed to Heckaman at the Kosciusko County Extension office, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, IN, 46580. Registration is due two weeks before the workshop date.