Multi-generational farm transition retreats

Three hands-on educational retreats focused on multi-generational farm transition are being offered across Minnesota.

Multiple generations, spouses, partners, and/or other relevant parties of family farms are encouraged to attend the Farm Transition Retreats together for a deep dive into conversations about -family and business goals. These free hands-on retreats include facilitated planning and time for discussion, along with educational instruction.

Three locations will be offered. Pick the location that is most convenient for you.

• Mankato: Friday, Feb. 23, 5-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

• St. Cloud: Friday, March 8, 5-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 9, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Crookston: Friday, March 22, 5-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 23, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Topics covered in the retreats will be family and business goals, job responsibilities, tips for communications, financial needs of multiple generations of the farm and families, inheritance considerations, and mechanisms of property and farm transfer. Follow-up visits are available following the retreat sessions to work with individual families.

“Finding time to discuss or think about a farm transition is hard to do when everyone is busy running the farming operations,” said Susanne Hinrichs, Extension agricultural business management educator. “These farm transition retreats allow all parties involved the time to hear the educational topics together, and then discuss and start making plans.”

The Farm Transition Retreats are offered by Jim Molenaar, retired faculty at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, and Nathan Hulinsky and Susanne Hinrichs, Extension educators with U of MN Extension. 

Thanks to generous sponsorships of the Southern and Northern Centers of Excellence, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, and Compeer Financial, these retreats are free although registration is required.

For more information, and to register, visit https://z.umn.edu/farmtransitions.