March 24 Workshop Guides Dairy Farm Succession Planning

By Blake Jackson

Dairy farm families are encouraged to start planning for the future of their operations by attending the “Passing the Torch” Transition Planning Workshop on March 24 in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania.

The full-day event is hosted by Penn State Extension and the Center for Dairy Excellence and is designed to help farm families navigate the complex process of transitioning dairy business ownership.

The workshop will address critical topics such as family communication, succession planning, retirement considerations, and the legal and accounting steps involved in a successful transition. Lunch is included, and registration costs $25 for the first two family members, with an additional $5 fee for each extra participant.

Registration is available online or by phone through Penn State Extension at 704-301-3441 or the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-788-0304.

“Maybe your kids are only in high school or college, and you’re not ready to pass the torch quite yet. It can take years to successfully transition your business, so having one-on-one conversations now can help down the road when you’re ready to begin the process," said Melissa Anderson, Programs and Operations Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence.

"Maybe you don’t have a family member interested in taking over your dairy enterprise, maybe you’re just starting to think about retirement, or maybe you’re nearing retirement and haven’t thought about your succession plan at all. It’s not too late. No matter what stage or situation you’re in, this workshop will get everyone around the table for one-on-one coaching with facilitators, legal experts, accountants and more.”

Participants will gain an overview of the farm transition process, retirement planning strategies, and key legal and accounting considerations. The workshop also includes guided family roundtable discussions led by experienced advisors to encourage productive dialogue. Attendees will leave with a detailed workbook and clear next steps to help move their transition plans forward with confidence.

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