Virginia Farm Link Newsletter

Reflecting on Virginia Cooperative Extension's "Positioning Your Farm Business for Successful Transition" Workshop Series

The week of February 20 kicked off four days of the ‘Positioning Your Farm Business for Successful Transition’ workshop hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper, Wytheville, Weyers Cave and Dinwiddie. Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting out of Idaho, a farmer and family farm business consultant

with over 30 years of experience, joined over 200 people across the state to discuss farm transition.

What were some of the key takeaways from farmers who attended this workshop?

Key takeaways from participates related to increasing awareness of the difference between estate planning and succession planning; the need to begin working on succession planning sooner; and the realization that they are not the only ones in this boat -- there are so many others going through many of the same issues.

What was Mr. Wittman's main emphasis throughout the workshop?

Wittman emphasized the importance of running a family farm as a business. He stressed the need to include components of the management system to create a foundational road map for the business. Working through these components can help alleviate many of the conflicts that affect family farms. Whether you have a small or large operation this process is important as you work to transition your operation to the next generation.

I was not able to attend the workshop, but I want to learn more. Where can I get additional information?

There are many resources throughout Virginia to help you navigate the process. If you missed one of the workshops but would like to learn more about farm transition or have interest in working with a facilitator to help your family farm business move forward with succession planning, please reach out to Crysti Hopkins ([email protected]) or Rachel Henley ([email protected]) to learn more.

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Featured Resource & Upcoming Event:

Featured Resource: Farm Management Proficiency Test from Wittman Consulting:

This test is designed to highlight the key business management proficiencies considered essential to successfully manage a farm. Farmers, advisers, and bankers can use this test to assess farm management strengths and weaknesses and implement training and improvement programs.

To access the Farm Management Proficiency Test on Virginia Farm Link's Resource page, click here!

Upcoming Events: Farm Management Institute with Dr. Dave Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Virginia Tech and Jennifer Friedel, Virginia Tech:

Hosted by Farm Credit of the Virginias Knowledge Center, the Farm Management Institute is appropriate for producers and beginning farmers wanting to gain knowledge of the industry from a local and global perspective and to gain tools and information to aid business planning decisions making. To register for the event, click here!

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