Central ND | SDPat - 3/15/2026 16:05
That is always a difficult topic. I think the older generation is reluctant to turn things over because they may be concerned if the next generation will keep the farm solvent or not and maybe they like doing things their way and are not willing to let the younger generation make changes. The younger generation needs to know there is a plan or they probably need to make their own plan, rather than working several years hoping there is a plan and finding out it is not a good plan or maybe there was no plan at all.
Any concern about the younger generation keeping things solvent or not should have been determined and addressed by the father long before the ownership or operations of the farm are in question. If the older generation has the intent to turn it over, they need to start teaching the younger generation how to from the time they learn to walk. If they never intend to turn it over, they need to have the respect and decency to be up front about that fact before any of the kids puts one dollar worth of effort into the operation after they graduate high school, or college if Dad/Mom pay for it. |
Farm succession
