Next-Generation Dairy Producers
Nearly 300 million acres of U.S. farmland are expected to change hands in the next 20 years. Beyond the transfer of land, and the often-complex succession planning process, investing in the next generation involves the transfer of skills and knowledge. Now’s the time to cultivate multigenerational success through asset, resource and financial stewardship.
Let’s continue to applaud all the kids who participate in 4-H and FFA and exhibit at the county fair. The lessons they learn are difficult to duplicate anywhere else and the memories will be cherished for a lifetime.
Not everyone knows their life calling from an early age. Not everyone knows that they want to do what dad does for a living. Many have to go through trial and error to figure it all out.
Two young dairy producers from opposite corners of the U.S. share what excites them the most about the future of the industry, what keeps them up at night and what tools and technologies they are leaning into to help propel their dairy operations forward.
Money management is demonstrated from one generation to the next. Open and ongoing communication about the farm’s financial blueprint can help the younger generation to develop a better understanding.
Many avoid planning because discussions can be stressful and emotional. Yet, the sooner conversations and plans start, the smoother the transition can be.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
The good news is there are legal devices to do whatever a farmer wants to do. The key is using the right mechanisms for the relationship piece.
Stephanie Nash is loud and boisterous…or as she likes to call it, very passionate about the dairy industry, as she enjoys servings as a front-line advocator to connect with consumers about where their food comes from.
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
Becky Nyman of Hilmar, Calif., recently visited with AgriTalk host, Chip Flory, about being the next generation dairy farmer. Nyman works alongside her brother on the home farm where they milk 1,200 Jerseys.
When raised by farmers, our earliest lessons in leadership, stewardship and life in general occur with the rhythms of the seasons. It turns out, even in a season of loss the learning continues.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
While many in the agricultural sector wonder who will make up the next generation of farmers, another legitimate question is who will make up the next generation of industry professionals.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
The clock is ticking — and the current estate-tax exemption is set to plummet at the end of 2025. The smaller exemption coupled with inflation and land values likely means increased assets and estate-tax rates.
Know what it takes to become a high-level leader.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
Anyone who wants a say in how business assets are handled after they pass on should have some sort of transition plan in place. If not done correctly, then the outcome might be settled at a farm auction.
When the four Hansen brothers came back to the small family dairy farm in Hudson, Iowa, which had operated since 1864, things needed to expand. Hansen’s Dairy has since taken ‘side hustle’ to a whole new level.
Thirty years ago, I received my high school diploma. As my daughter, Cassie, recently walked across the stage to receive her high school diploma over the weekend, I thought about the advice I had to offer her.
Our herdsman, Julio’s attention to detail and good eye for cattle allows us to put attention into strategically planning the several expansion projects that we’ve taken on over the last 18 years.
Hesston Geddes admits the opportunity to live and work in Hawaii’s lush tropical backdrop enticed him to travel to Waipahu, to take on the manager role at Cloverleaf Dairy, the last commercial dairy in Hawaii.
Alex Neuenschwander, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, is headed to the Indy 500 winners circle this weekend to hand out the iconic bottle of milk. His secret to success on the farm? Finding efficiency at every level.
When a pair of sisters set out to help the family farm, they didn’t think they’d end up on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. On the debut of Grow Getters, a podcast about ag’s most creative side hustles, they tell their story.
Head to the Lone Star State, and everything is bigger, or so they say. That doesn’t only refer to big hats and big hair, it also applies to dairies, as the average size in the Panhandle hovers around 4,000 cows.
Growing up with a long line of strong women, Jessica Pralle-Trimner, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, does not back down from hard work and wholeheartedly believes women play an integral role on dairy farms across the U.S.
Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.
Farm kids have learned to quickly survey what needs to be done and take the lead to get it done. No questions asked. This is one reason farm kids stand out. They have learned to get tough during tough times.
NBA superstars Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith learned how to hand milk a cow on live television thanks to a Madison, Georgia dairy farm, Big Sandy Creek Farm.