Passing on the family farm or ranch to the next generation can be one of the most difficult jobs in agriculture. An upcoming series of North Dakota State University Extension Service workshops will help farm families begin the process.
"It's a front-burner issue for a lot of farm families," says Willie Huot, a Grand Forks County extension agent involved with the workshop.
The average age of North Dakota farm operators is nearly 60, he notes.
The "Design Your Succession Plan" workshops.
The workshops will focus on helping participants decide what they want for the business, how to discuss getting started on creating a succession plan and how to choose professionals who can help make the plan legal and viable.
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"This is all about getting started, and that starts with communication," Huot says. "It works best when all the family members attend."
The workshops carry a registration fee, which is lowered for participants who sign up early. Here's the lineup:
&bull: Carrington, Dec. 2, 4 and 10 at 6 p.m. -- Carrington Research Extension Center. Contact Joel Lemer at 701-652-2581, or joel.lemer@ndsu.edu .
&bull: Ashley, Dec. 3 and 10 at 6 p.m. -- McIntosh County Courthouse. Contact Crystal Schaunaman at 701-288-3465, or crystal. schaunaman@ndsu.edu .
&bull: Beach, Dec. 4 and 11 at 5 p.m. Moutain Time -- Blue Fair Building, Golden Valley Fair Grounds. Contact Ashley Ueckert at 701-872-4332 or ashley.ueckert@ndsu.edu .
&bull: Enderlin, Dec. 8 and 15 at 6 p.m. -- Enderlin Fire Hall. Contact: Randy Grueneich at 701-845-8528, randy.grueneich@ndsu . edu.
&bull: Minot, Jan. 20 and 22 at 6 p.m. -- North Central Research Extension Center. Contact Paige Brummund at 701-857-6444 or paige.f.brummund@ndsu.edu .
&bull: Grand Forks, Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. -- Grand Forks County Office Building. Contact Huot at 701-780 8229 or willie. huot@ndsu.edu .
