Sharing the History of the Operation

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Transitioning the farm or ranch to the next generation requires creating a shared vision for the future. But taking time to ponder the history of the operation can also be helpful.

“A lot of times you'll learn something along the way of why the current generation has the vision that they have, why maybe they're holding on to assets a certain way. And many times, the next generation hasn't heard these stories. So it's really important for them to hear how the operation got to where it's at so that as they plan for the future, they also recognize and understand where their parents or grandparents have been to bring the operation to the current state,” shared Shannon Kubik, Legacy Consultant with Keep Farmers Farming.

Sharing the history of the operation brings clarity to what the senior generation values, driven by their sacrifice and those that came before them. It also reveals how the business was transitioned previously and the current generation's experience with succession. Both are important, but reflecting too hard on the past can be a stumbling block to inspiring transition to the future.

Sharing the history of the farm or ranch is part of the journey of giving and receiving, while enhancing respect for the founders.

“If you're the person, the next generation receiving the operation, the assets, all of that, it's really important to be thankful and grateful, understand how your operation got to where it's at today and how you're going to move into the future and respect what's happened. And so, it's really a process of respecting the past and then using that to drive into the future,” shared Shannon Kubik.

As part of the South Dakota Ag Foundation, Keep Farmers Farming can assist families in their farm transition and estate planning journey.

Learn more about the Keep Farmers Farming program here.

Taken from a conversation with Pam Geppert from Dakota Farm Talk.