May 10, 2016
Award Received to Develop Succession Planning Programming
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS) has been awarded funding for a project entitled “Planning for the Future: Transferring Management and Assets in Challenging Times.” As an interactive workshop series, the project will focus on areas important to developing and implementing a viable farm or ranch succession plan, including: team-building and communications, transferring assets, passing on management responsibilities and successful transition during challenging economic conditions. The workshops will be held in both eastern and western Kansas during winter 2017 and offer current and future owners access to intensive education, applied activities and resource specialists, so they can begin implementing their plans both during and after the workshops. Prior to the workshop series, anyone with an interest in succession planning is encouraged to attend an evening session that will provide an overview on components important to the process.
Facilitator training will be offered before the workshops begin. Current facilitators, as well as KSRE agents with an interest in supporting families as they develop a succession plan, are encouraged to attend a training that is anticipated for fall 2016. Mediators, farm financial analysts and attorneys involved with the KAMS program will also be trained to provide facilitation support. Trained facilitators will be encouraged to work alongside families during the workshop series.
Other components of the project include further website resource development, including filming of the workshop series, and, developing a workshop model that provides resources for local Extension offices. By offering easy access to the workshop curriculum and resources, local units can develop future succession programming and educate even more producers.
“Planning for the Future: Transferring Management and Assets in Challenging Times” was made possible by a grant from the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Award Number 2015-49200-24226. For more information on succession planning visit ksre.k-state.edu/kams/succession or call 800-321-3276.