Self-paced

Farm Transition Planning

The Farm Transition Planning course is designed to provide farmers, agricultural professionals, and anyone involved in farming with the knowledge and skills needed to plan and execute a successful transition of a farm from one generation to the next. Farm transitions are crucial for the sustainability and prosperity of agriculture, and this course will guide you through the essential steps and considerations involved.

  • 10 modules

    Content

  • Self-paced

    Course Type

  • 27 hours

    Course duration

  • 1 Ebook

    Free of charge
    What you are going to learn

    A few more words about this course

    Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire farm transition process, from initial assessment to final implementation. You will learn to evaluate your farm's operations and set clear goals, navigate the critical legal and financial complexities of estate planning and taxation, and master effective communication strategies to manage family dynamics and resolve conflicts. The course will also cover different transfer methods, strategies for preparing the next generation for leadership, and the practical steps for creating and documenting a formal succession plan.

    You will learn:

    • Assess your farm's current state and identify clear goals for its future.
    • Navigate complex legal and financial issues.
    • Develop effective communication skills for family meetings, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
    • Evaluate various transition strategies.
    • Prepare the next generation by outlining plans for their education, training, and involvement.
    • Create and implement a transition plan.

    Samantha Gehrett

    Expertise:
    Dairy Business Management
    Dairy Processing
    Farm Succession

    About

    She has over 13 years of experience in agricultural science, food manufacturing, and agribusiness, with a strong focus on supporting farms in areas such as transition and succession planning, cash flow analysis, accounting systems, taxation, and business planning.

    Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences from Penn State, where she also completed minors in Environmental Inquiry and Agronomy. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Homeland Security from Penn State, specializing in Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Safety Defense.

    Most recently, she became an apprentice Subject Matter Expert in Composting, contributing to state and federal disaster response efforts. Her career began in Richland Center, Wisconsin, where she worked for one of the world’s largest dairy manufacturers, managing nine production lines producing a variety of yogurt products. She later returned to Pennsylvania to join the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau as Director of Training in the Member Services Division. In that role, she developed and led training programs for staff while delivering financial and business services to clients across the agricultural sector.

    Samantha lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband, daughter, and their dogs. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and working with her dogs in agility and therapy dog activities.

    This course was created in collaboration with DGA and Penn State and is the outcome of a BFRDP-USDA grant.