By Scout Nelson
This winter of 2024, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is introducing a valuable online resource for landowners and retiring farmers: the Holistic Farm Transition Planning Course. This course is designed to guide participants in transitioning ownership or renting out their farmland in a way that aligns with their personal conservation and social values.
Spanning six comprehensive sessions, each lasting 2 ½ hours, the course brings together a unique blend of professionals, farmers, and LSP staff. It delves deep into a variety of critical topics, including identifying personal values and goals, effective communication strategies, and addressing financial, legal, and long-term care considerations in farm transitioning.
Highlights from the course include:
- Feb. 1: "Goal Setting for Life & Land" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Feb. 8: "Financial Considerations" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Feb. 15: "Legal Considerations" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Feb. 22: "Working with Next Generation Farmers" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Feb. 29: "Long Term Care Considerations" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- March 7: "Resources and Planning Next Steps" from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Participants will gain insights from experienced individuals, including Bill McMillin, a retired southeastern Minnesota farmer who successfully transitioned his family farm. The course is praised for its practical, foundational level information and the confidence it instills in participants, as echoed by past attendees.
For those interested in this opportunity, registration details are available online. Additional information can be obtained by contacting LSP’s Karen Stettler at stettler@landstewardshipproject.org.
This course is an essential tool for anyone looking to make informed, value-driven decisions about the future of their farmland.
Photo Credit - istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: Minnesota, Education