Succession Planning Workshops Empower Midwestern Farm Women

Dec 16, 2024
By Farms.com

Learn Estate and Succession Planning in Four Interactive Sessions

“Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women: A Succession Planning Series” is a four-part workshop designed to help women in agriculture improve estate and succession planning. The workshops will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Central time on Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, and Feb. 11 at multiple locations across Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana.

Produced collaboratively by Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Purdue University extension programs, the series covers key topics such as:

Motivation for succession planning. Communication strategies with family members. Financial planning for estate transitions.

Legal considerations for putting a plan in place. Each session includes a keynote speaker simulcast to all locations, hands-on activities, and opportunities for questions. Participants will also enjoy a meal during each session.

Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program, emphasized the importance of planning ahead. “Succession planning ensures a smooth transition for the next generation in agriculture. These workshops provide best practices and strategies that women can bring back to their farms or ranches,” she said.

The workshops also aim to strengthen rural networks, enabling women to connect, share knowledge, and reduce isolation often felt in agricultural communities. Groskopf noted, “Building trust and connections among rural women is essential for mutual support and collaboration.”

Registration Details:

In-person fee: $60 before Jan. 13, $75 after. Virtual option: $75. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions. For registration and more information, visit https://wia.unl.edu/succession25.

This program is supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40444, highlighting its commitment to empowering women in agriculture.

Video: Women in Ag. The Promotion of Female Farmers through Social Media | Madalyn Thayer | TEDxBGSU

Less than 1% of Americans are farmers. The majority of those farmers are men. Many people have minimal experience with farms and agriculture. High schools are getting rid of their FFA programs and many colleges, including BGSU, do not have agricultural programs or classes. There is a new social media phenomenon where women are making content based on their farming endeavors and gaining lots of traction. Education is the one of the most important parts of agriculture, because the more people know the more they will emphasize with farmers and create policy that benefits everybody. Female farmers have taken to social media sharing their experience in the agricultural world. These women are breaking stereotypes and educating everyday citizens about farming which is extremely important for the future of agriculture. Madalyn is 19 years old and will be gradated with her bachelors degree in communication on December 2024. She lives on a farm and have spent lots of time working in agriculture. She has her own farmers market and love learning about all subjects, especially agriculture. She was on the BGSU Firelands Student government from 2021-2023 as a CCP Ambassador and was awarded the 3&1 communication excellency award in April of 2024. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.