TRAER – The Iowa Farm Bureau’s “Take Root” program helps farmers develop a comprehensive, managed approach for their family farm’s continuation and growth from the roots up – helping ensure that what farmers are doing today will create an enduring legacy for future generations.

Two ‘Take Root’ workshops will take place in Tama County on Feb. 15 and Feb. 29 at the Traer Memorial Building located at 412 Second Street. Details below.

-Workshop 1: Strengthen and Secure Your Farm’s Future is set for Feb. 15 beginning at 6 p.m.

-Workshop 2: Build Your Farm Succession Advisory Team is set for Feb. 29 beginning at 6 p.m.

The program is FREE to all Iowa Farm Bureau members. The fee for non-members is $60 per couple/family. To register, call the Tama County Farm Bureau at (641)484-3361.

What will I learn?

Through our Take Root workshops, we examine real-life success stories from Iowa farm families and help you develop strategies to grow your business and secure farm assets for future generations. Take Root is not your typical farm succession meeting; it is the beginning of a process to help you develop a long-term work plan that will help you start, grow and improve your farm operation while meeting your business and family goals – whether you have been farming for years or just getting started.

The program consists of two 3-hour evening workshops set up to accommodate busy farm schedules.

Workshop 1: Strengthen and Secure Your Farm’s Future

Topics include:

-Getting the conversation started

-Family communication and business issues

-Fair vs. equal among heirs

-Generational differences and needs

-Goal-setting

-Preparing for and conducting family meetings to discuss farm succession

-Tools and strategies for transferring wealth and assets, while minimizing the estate and income tax impact

-Estate planning concepts

-Organizing and inventorying farm and estate assets

-24/7 online resources for creating your very own succession plan

Workshop 2: Build Your Farm Succession Advisory Team

Topics include:

-Representing your vision with farm advisors

-Asking the right questions to get valuable information

-Interact with a panel of Farm Business Advisors in a dialogue for issues including estate, tax and financial planning, leases and tenant qualities, and beginning farmer opportunities

For more information about the Take Root program, contact Iowa Farm Bureau Farm Business Development Manager Amanda Van Steenwyk: avansteenwyk@ifbf.org, (515) 225-5494.