Preparing the next generation’s return to the family farm is the focus of a conference organized by Kansas State University’s College of Agriculture on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colby Community College's Lon Frahm Agriculture Center, Room 631.
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Conference is part of a free statewide series designed to help students, young producers, and new entrants to agriculture build sustainable careers and plan for successful farm transitions.
Developed by Robin Reid and Ashlee Westerhold from K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, the program provides practical tools and guidance for families navigating succession and long-term business planning.
“Returning home to the farm is more than just going back to work—it’s about ensuring the long-term viability of a business and maintaining strong family relationships,” said Westerhold, director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition.
Conference topics include:
- Succession and estate planning
- Business structures and intergenerational fairness
- Farm financial management and lease agreements
- Communication strategies for family discussions
- USDA-FSA loan opportunities
- The Kansas Land-Link Program
Through interactive sessions and real-world examples, participants will learn how to initiate and navigate critical family conversations about the future of their operations.
Former participant Garrett Korte, who returned to his family’s seventh-generation, 10,000-acre farm, credited the program for helping make difficult discussions easier.
“They [Ashlee and Robin] make it easier because they start the conversations a lot of people are scared to have,” Korte said. “You realize you’re not the only one figuring this out.”
The conference is free to attend, and lunch and materials are provided. Registration is required.
To RSVP or learn more, visit www.agmanager.info/beginningfarmer.
“If a beginning farmer or rancher can freely and openly communicate about their goals for the future of the farm with the older generation, they have a much better chance of succeeding,” Westerhold said. “These conferences are about helping make that happen.”