The Superior Express -

The Central Kansas, Phillips-Rooks, Post Rock and River Valley extension districts will be hosting conferences this August aimed to help farmers and ranchers plan the transition of their farm. According to the 2016 Family Business Survey by the National Bureau of Economic Research Family Business Alliance, 43 percent of family-owned businesses don’t have a succession plan, yet 75 percent want the business to continue through family. Planning is key to help keep the farm legacy alive for another generation. These conferences hope to ease the process and provide guidance to farm families about transition planning.

There will be four locations that will include the same agenda. The cost for each conference is $15 or $45 for a family of four and pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, Aug. 16. Each conference will start with check-in at 8:30 and the program will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The locations of the conferences include:

Tuesday, Aug. 22: Clyde – Clyde Apartments Auditorium

Wednesday, Aug. 23: Delphos – Delphos Auditorium

Thursday, Aug. 24: Beloit – Beloit Methodist Church

Friday, Aug. 25: Phillipsburg – Phillips County Fair Building

Each event will feature four speakers including Ashlee Westerhold, director of the office of Farm and Ranch Transition at K-State, who will speak on the resources available to Kansans for transition planning. Ron Hanson, Harlan Agribusiness Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska, will discuss the steps families should take to keep their farms for generations to come. The program will also include a local attorney and KFMA economist who will discuss the legal and financial aspects of farm and ranch transitions. The conference will end with a panel Q & A where attendees can ask the speakers more in-depth questions about the transition process.

For more information or to get registered, call a local extension agent for each location. Beloit – Blaire Todd at 785-738-3597 or Sandra Wick 785-282-6823.