Land Transfer Training - Resources for Farmers and Ranchers - American Farmland Trust

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Land Transfer Training - Resources for Farmers and Ranchers

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.

 

Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners will find worksheets, information sheets, presentations, and case studies below.

Additional training materials for educators, such as teaching and student plans, power point presentations, and other adaptable resources are available on our community platform.

For more information or to connect with someone for transfer support, contact the Farmland Information Center.

Todos los recursos también están disponibles en español.

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Getting Started with Farm or Ranch Transfer

WATCH: Getting Started Overview
10 Key Steps in Farm or Ranch Transfer
Values Information Sheet
Vision, Values and Goals Worksheet
SMART Goals Information Sheet
SMART Goals Worksheet
Needs Assessment Worksheet
Asset Inventory Worksheet
Cultivate Trust Worksheet
Getting Started with Farm or Ranch Transfer – Resources

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. 

Assess Your Financial Situation and Build Your Team

WATCH: Assess Your Finances and Team Overview
Asset Inventory Information Sheet
Financial Assets Inventory Worksheet
Sample Financial Statements and Quiz
Sample Balance Sheet Worksheet
Budget Worksheet
Glossary of Business and Financial Terms
Build Your Team Worksheet
Assess Your Financial Situation and Build Your Team – Resources

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.

 

Identify Business and Legal Tools

WATCH: Identify Business and Legal Tools Overview
Business Structures Information Sheet
Farm or Ranch Transfer Guideposts Worksheet
Glossary of Legal Terms and Quiz
Health Care Information Sheet
Wills and Trusts Information Sheet
Identify Business and Legal Tools – Resources

This module introduces the main tools used in planning a transfer. It will focus on key legal and financial tools to help landseekers and landowners succeed. Participants will explore the types of plans needed for their situation to support their transfer process.

Two people at a farmers market discuss heirloom grains.

Prepare to Tell Your Story

WATCH: Prepare to Tell Your Story Overview
Letter to Supporters
Prepare to Tell Your Story Worksheet
Adapt Your Story Worksheet and Communication Skills Checklist
Prepare to Tell Your Story – Resources

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.

Prepare to Negotiate

WATCH: Prepare to Negotiate Overview
Prepare to Negotiate Worksheet
Communicate to Reach Agreement Worksheet
Communication Styles Information Sheet
Address Stressful Conversations Worksheet
Prepare for Negotiation – Resources

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.

Three people talk in a High Tunnel where fresh flowers are grown.

Farm or Ranch Transfer Plan - Putting it All Together

Farm or Ranch Transfer Plan

The Farm or Ranch Transfer Plan is a collection of worksheets that outline various details of the steps and information needed for landowners to complete 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.

Land Transfer Stories

Hear from Farmers and Ranchers about their land access and transfer experiences.

Old Road Farm -Vermont

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.

Muse 3 Farm - Louisiana

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.

Resilient Growers Farm - Oklahoma

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.

Debbie Potter - Kansas

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.

Schrader Ranch - Kansas

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.

Jeff Caskey - Cherokee Nation - Oklahoma

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.

We Grow Urban Farm - California

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.

Cattle Run Farm - Virginia

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.

Three Calhoun Sisters Ranch - California

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.

Larry Freeman - Louisiana

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.

Support Agencies

This document lists organizations that may have additional areas of support in a farm or ranch transfer.

Farm Stress Resources

The Stress Resources list provides vital information for farmers experiencing stress or mental health challenges.

Are you someone who works with farmers, ranchers, or agricultural landholders?

We have additional resources that may be helpful.

Learn more about this curriculum through the Course Outcome Summary and Training Manual below.
For additional training materials such as teaching and student plans, power point presentations, and other adaptable educational resources please fill out this form.
Course Outcome Summary

The Land Transfer Training Course Outcome Summary outlines the content and learning objectives of the Land Transfer Training Curriculum.

Land Transfer Training Manual

Transitioning Land to a New Generation uses a performance-based learning philosophy. It takes a skills-based approach to teaching and learning that focuses on what people need to do, not just on what they need to know. The Training Manual presents helpful information to tailor the training to your audiences.

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To learn more about the Transitioning Land to a New Generation project, visit our project page.

 

Transitioning Land to a New Generation was funded by a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant from the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA).

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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Connect with Us~

Farms for a New Generation

Farms for a New Generation is a national initiative that supports new and next generation farmers and ranchers to gain access to land, steward it well, and succeed in agriculture.

Farmland Information Center

Our information specialists provide technical assistance free of charge. Whether you are a landowner, beginning farmer, concerned citizen or policymaker, we are here to help.

Capacitación de Transición de la Tierra

Todos los Recursos de Capacitación sobre Transferencia de Tierras están disponibles en español.