In the next 20 years U. S. farms will transition on the average of 15 per hour. That is a statistic that is alarming. It illustrates the need for estate planning and transfer farm operations from one generation to then next.
According to the “Census of Agriculture”, the average age of an angricultural producer in 2017 was 58.1 years. The same report states that 66% of all who farm in the Sunflower State are more than 55 years. What this means per Ashlee Westerhold, Director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transitions at KSU, is that, “Most of our farmers and ranchers could retire in the next ten years.
Westerhold will present a series of Farm Transition meetings in February 2023. She will present strategies to initiate the process for a successful farm succession. The program will also include an attorney and an accountant to discuss the legal and financial aspects of the process. The series will be held on Friday February 11, 2023 in Ottawa; Monday February 13 in Garden City; February 14, 2023 in Cimarron; and February 15, 2023 in St. John.
To register for the St John program on February 15th, call the 21 Central office in St. John at
620-549-3502. The program will begin at 9 am at the Stafford County Extension Office, 210 E 3rd Street and run until 3. Cost will be 10.00, payable at the door and includes lunch.
For more information, contact the 21 Central Extension Office at 620-659-2149 Kinsley, 620 549-3502 St. John, or email [email protected]. You can also contact me at the Great Bend office at 620-793-1910 or email at [email protected] if you need help, or for any questions.
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.