Farm Succession Planning – Set Your Farm’s Future on the Right Path

It’s never too early to plan for your farm’s future. Every farm has a different path to succession. Sometimes developing that path can be challenging if you feel like you don’t have the time or the necessary information to plan. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed with succession planning, join our goal-oriented group, where you’ll work alongside fellow farmers to understand the process and focus on the pieces most relevant to your farm. Participants can choose the in-person or virtual option, both are free.

The group will support growers and producers at all stages of farming who are navigating the challenges of succession planning. You don’t have to have a succession plan in place to participate. Participants will engage in goal-setting and create individualized timelines with guidance from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching Program. The monthly group format allows participants to share experiences and solutions, offering a collaborative space to build clarity and confidence in the succession planning process.

In-person: Second Monday of each month, Dec 8, Jan 5, Feb 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Kennebec County Cooperative Extension, 125 State Street, Fl #3, Augusta, Maine 04333

Online: Second Monday of each month, Dec 8, Jan 5, Feb 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. via Zoom

About this program:

Farm coaching helps with succession or long-term planning in many ways, getting you to the table to have the conversations and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to get started. Coaching supports the conversations you haven’t yet had, are struggling to have, or are not moving forward in. Or if you’re stuck, coaching helps you set goals and take steps toward progress. The coaches focus on the human aspects of farming – the people who farm.

This winter, in-person or online cohorts will meet monthly for six months, facilitated by members of the coaching team. Choose from an online or in-person group! The cohort-based groups design centers on goal-oriented sessions that incorporate tools from the Farm Communications Guide.

  • The cohort-based model emphasizes peer-to-peer collaboration
  • Online or in-person for six sessions
  • Each session follows a structured planning process
  • Breakout sessions with other group members
  • Homework between sessions
  • Learn communication tools and practice

Each participant in the cohort will complete a personalized binder:

  • Shared resources
  • Components of a succession plan
  • Timeline with action steps

Farmers at any stage of business are invited to participate. To register, visit the Set Your Farm’s Future webpage.