Register Now for Two Upcoming Farm Transition Programs

If farm transition and succession planning are on your mind, now is a great time to take the next step. Ohio State University Extension is offering two upcoming educational programs that provide practical guidance for farm families and the professionals who work with them. Whether you're looking for an in-depth conference or a free introductory webinar, these programs offer valuable information to help you prepare for the future.

Cultivating Connections Conference Returns August 3–5

Registration is now open for the Fourth Annual Cultivating Connections Conference, taking place August 3–5, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, with a virtual attendance option available.  Registration closes July 27^th.

The multi-day conference brings together attorneys, tax professionals, educators, farm transition planners, and agricultural professionals from across the country to explore the legal, financial, business, and family issues involved in farm transition and succession planning.

Participants will hear from leading experts and engage in discussions on topics including:

• Farm transition and succession planning
• Estate and tax considerations
• Business entities and asset protection
• Conservation easements
• Mental health in farm families
• Farm economy outlooks
• Interactive case studies and client scenarios

The conference offers practical education, valuable networking opportunities, and real-world strategies that attendees can apply to their farms and clients.

Registration Rates

In-person: $375

Virtual: $325

Student: $100

To learn more and register, visit: go.osu.edu/cultivatingconnections

Is Your Farm and Family Ready for Your Death?

One of the most difficult, and most frequently avoided, questions farm families face is: What happens to our farm when I die?

To help answer that question, Ohio State University Extension is offering a free webinar, "Is Your Farm and Family Ready for Your Death?", on Monday, July 27, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The webinar is designed to help farm families move beyond uncertainty and begin building a thoughtful plan for the future of their farm and family. The program will be presented by David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist in Farm Management, and Robert Moore, attorney with the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program.

Rather than jumping immediately into legal documents, the program encourages participants to first focus on the conversations and organization that lay the foundation for a successful transition plan.

Participants will explore important questions such as:

• What legacy do you want to leave?
• Who should inherit the farm?
• What do you own and owe?
• Are your important records and documents organized?
• The webinar will also introduce participants to practical planning tools, including the Farm Asset and Resource Management Spreadsheet (FARMS), a free Excel-based resource developed by OSU Extension that helps families inventory assets and liabilities, organize key information, and prepare for future planning discussions.

The program is appropriate for farmers of all ages and operation sizes, whether they are just beginning to think about succession planning or updating an existing plan.

Webinar Details

Title: Is Your Farm and Family Ready for Your Death?

Date: Monday, July 27

Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Cost: Free

Pre-registration is required at: go.osu.edu/prepforfuture

Taking time to begin these conversations today can reduce uncertainty, minimize family conflict, and help ensure your farm's future for generations to come. Both of these upcoming programs provide practical guidance to help you take that important first step.