The Transitioning Land to a New Generation – Land Transfer Training is designed for incoming producers and current landholders who have started to talk about a farm or ranch transfer.
On this page, you will find worksheets, information sheets, presentations, and case studies to help you walk through a transition process.
For more information or to connect with someone for support, contact the Farmland Information Center.
This module introduces the Land Transfer Training and prepares participants to engage in a farm or ranch transfer process. Participants will identify key steps involved in a farm or ranch transfer; clarify their values, vision, and goals; name the people involved in their transfer; and assess their needs and the needs of those involved in their transfer. Participants also will practice thinking about the other person’s point of view, demonstrating trust-building behaviors, and listening.
This module will enable participants to assess their current financial position and future needs and the position and needs of other parties to inform conversations about their farm/ranch transfer. It will help them estimate the value of the tangible and intangible assets being acquired or transferred and introduce business terms, financial statements, and tools. Lastly, this unit will identify key professional service providers that can support incoming farmers and ranchers, and exiting owners during the transfer process.
This module introduces the main tools used in planning a transfer. It will focus on key legal and financial tools to help land seekers and landowners succeed. Participants will explore the types of plans needed for their situation to support their transfer process.
This module empowers participants to create and share their stories as a way to build support for their farm or ranch business. Using their values, vision and goals statements as a springboard, participants will clarify their unique story and practice sharing it with others. They will work to adapt their storytelling to suit various audiences. The primary goal is for landholders and land seekers to share their vision and values and learn to communicate more effectively for a successful land transfer.
This module prepares participants for the types of conversations they will have during a transfer negotiation. Participants will plan to negotiate, practice communication skills to reach an agreement and prepare to manage stress.
The Farm or Ranch Transfer Plan is a collection of worksheets designed to outline the steps and information involved in a farm transfer situation. It includes 16 worksheets or questions, including space to describe roles for the advising team, a landowner’s goals for the farm or ranch transfer, and financial and real estate assets. It also includes a place to document next steps and a timeline to help a landowner move forward with their farm/ranch transfer plan.
This interview with Sarah Morton of Cattle Run Farm details her experiences working alongside her siblings to transfer the family farm from their father, cooperating to develop a viable farm business. Sarah details how they planned ahead from a business planning a financial perspective to ensure a smooth transition.
This interview with Debbie Post Potter discusses topics such as family or generational farming, her values within farming, and the challenges in transferring a farm. This interview focuses on the hurdles and timeline in working with an attorney to facilitate a transfer within the family, as well as the difficult conversations that family members need to have during a transfer situation.
This interview with Jeff Caskey (Cherokee Nation) focuses on the aspects of negotiation, land management, and setting goals that are involved in managing relationships and communication while leasing land. Jeff manages multiple properties, and ultimately would like to open opportunities for additional farmers looking to lease land.
Larry Freeman operates a beef operation handed down from his family. The property is in Heirs property status, which presents additional legal challenges for the property. He discusses maintaining good relationships with family members to ensure a smooth operation and strategizing for transferring the farm.
This interview with Allan, Burnell, and Chris Muse from Muse 3 Farm. Their farm predominantly provides direct-to-consumer beef products. Their discussion shares the journey to their family farm, including topics in land access, having important conversations with family, and generational dynamics in family farming.
This interview with beginning farmer Henry Webb touches upon various farming topics including how previous experience plays a role in starting a new farm, challenges to land access, land conservation, and ecologically sound growing practices.
This interview with Rachel and Brent from Resilient Growers Farm follows them through the journey to find both land and capital to start their farm. They cover topics including navigating loan applications, the challenging housing market, and community support.
This interview with Laci and Spencer Schrader emphasizes the need to build trust with a variety of partners, from landowners to financial institutions. They share tips and details on maintaining proper channels of communication and trust with community connections and partners.
This dual interview with sisters Susie and Nancy Calhoun examines the similarities and differences in facilitating farm transfer and conservation between two different properties. They touch on facilitating proper communication and mediation with family, staying organized through the process, and doing research ahead of time to be prepared.
This interview with Nelson Hawkins discusses the challenges and logistics of operating a small-scale urban farm integrated into the community. Topics include vision and values, community support, business structure, and building trust within the community.
Transitioning Land to a New Generation was funded by a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant (award #2020 - 49400 – 3325) from the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture with additional support from Farm Credit and the members of AFT.
This 3-year project created the Land Transfer Training curriculum to help foster healthy communication skills between landowners and land seekers and support a network of ag service providers.
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