CUSTER COUNTY – The Farm & Ranch Project within Legal Aid of Nebraska will be hosting two workshops to help farmers and ranchers with the ever-looming subject of succession planning.
Michelle Soll of the Farm & Ranch Project says the subject matter of the workshops, while often cumbersome and confusing, can be made all that much lighter when talking with experts in the field. Two, in particular, will be present at both workshops: agricultural attorney Joe Hawbaker and recently retired Extension Farm Transition specialist Dave Goeller, both veterans in guiding farmers and ranchers through succession planning.
“These two have been doing workshops and clinics with us for many years; they’re experts in these areas. Our services are free of charge, so they’re not out to gain personal business. They’re basically doing this in the interest of the farmer, rancher, or member of those families.
In addition to estate planning, the workshops will cover recent legislation involving farms and ranches, general financial management techniques, and the business entity aspect of agricultural operations.
While the general theme of the workshops seems pointed toward those at the twilight of their agricultural careers, Soll says that there are a lot of trends to be covered that are applicable to younger farmers and ranchers.
“What we like to do is work with those retiring as well as the beginners; a lot of it is so they can put some sort of transition plan together and know the legal aspects of it and the financial planning that comes along with that.”
The workshops will occur in two different locations. The first will unfold at the Atkinson Public Library in Atkinson Nebraska between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with lunch sponsored by Tri-County Bank.
The second workshop is scheduled for the following day, December 8 in Greeley, roughly and hour and a half south of Atkinson, at the Old Brick Palace. Lunch for Greeley’s workshop is sponsored by Henderson State Bank.
Registration is open until about December 5 and is required only if the participant wants the provided lunch. A form is available here.
Those who do attend either workshop will have the option of scheduling one-on-one time with Hawbaker and Goeller regarding any lingering questions at a later date. Questions regarding registration and the workshops can be directed to the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.
