Message from the NODPA Co-President: Are you ready for a farm transfer?
By Roman Stoltzfoos
How do you get ready for a farm transfer? How do you motivate the next generation? How do you let go? All these and more questions will be discussed at the NODPA Field Days in September. Hopefully you will come away with some real good ideas on how to begin the process of thinking about passing on what we stewarded so long.
Let’s hit some basics that will be covered at the meeting:
Sit down with the people you want to transfer your Farm to and talk it over. Ask what their vision is for their future and explain to them your vision for retiring and the farm's future without you.
All this needs to be reiterated to those who help you work on the details .
Then find another project to keep you motivated for life. This can be a daunting task. Finding something that suits your easier schedule and the abilities that you still have left is not easy. Getting old, like they say, is not for the faint of heart.
Remember that the most important part of a farm transfer is having something to transfer--meaning a profitable farm. Keep that in mind as you make decisions for your farm. Even if your transfer is ten years away, it’s not too early to start planning.
Listen to the good line-up of speakers sharing useful information on this important topic at the upcoming NODPA Field Days (see more information about it in the middle section of this newsletter or online at /p/132/2024-NODPA-Field-Days).
If you love your farm, your family, and your soil, you’ll be concerned as to who will steward it in the future. You have one shot at this so educate yourself on how to give it your best shot.
