A lot of farmers are concerned about the succession plan for their operation, as evidenced by the big crown that attended a session that we hosted with Farm Progress at the 2013 Commodity Classic in Orlando.  The room was packed.  Bryce Knorr from Farm Futures presented some of his research about farm transitions at this session.  Ben Metzger, Director of Legacy Planning at Water Street Solutions talked with KRVN's Dewey Nelson about the training element that goes into a succession plan....getting the next generation ready to take over.   Training the Next Generation as Part of Your Succession Plan on the Farm - Metzger AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Training the Next Generation as Part of Your Succession Plan on the Farm

On spring fieldwork days, there's a lot going on at the farm. Do you find it tough to keep in touch with other parts of your business in this busy season? What about the commodity markets, farm finances, and your employees?

In his weekly Finance First post on FarmFutures.com, Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions, talks about why it's important to stay in touch with these parts of your farm strategy and how it can affect your farm if you disengage from parts of it. Read it HERE.

Talk to most farmers and they have the idea that they're really too young to start their succession plan.  That's wrong thinking, according to Water Street Solutions Legacy Advisor Brian Hensley.  The longer you wait, the more you could be limiting yourself.  Watch this video for details.  VIDEO

Having a good transition plan to the next generation on the farm is important.  Spring planting season is hectic, but it's also that once-a-year opportunity for critical training of your upcoming leadership.  David Dam, Director of Training at Water Street Solutions has some ideas for making this happen this year.  He talks about it with Dewey Nelson from KRVN.  Spring Training on the Farm - Getting the Next Generation Ready to Lead Dam AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Spring Training on the Farm

Does your farm's succession plan include training the next generation? With farming changing so quickly, do we even know what kinds of skills they will need?

In his weekly Finance First post on FarmFutures.com, Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions, talks about a recent survey of farmers. It revealed that most succession plans are coming up short in the area of training. Read it HERE.

When the snow melts and the temps rise, it's going to be busy, especially with this planting season starting later than last year.  Busy times can also bring chaos, so make sure to keep that to a minimum with good communication.  David Dam, Director of Training at Water Street Solutions talks about that with Dewey Nelson from KRVN.   Clear Communications Important During Planting Season Dam AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Clear Communications Important during Busy Planting Season

It feels overwhelming when you think about everything you need to teach the next generation on your farm, doesn't it? How about starting with an important time on the farm - the spring? In his weekly Finance First post on FarmFutures.com, Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions, has some ideas about how planting season can be an opportunity to train your farm's future leaders.  Read it HERE.

Many farms will need to transition in the next decade or two because of the aging of today's farmers.  Bryce Knorr, Senior Editor of Farm Futures Magazine presented his research at the recent Commodity Classic in Orlando.  You can see a video of his presentation HERE.

Have you thought about what the changes in land prices and landlord situations could mean to the future of your farm?  You should - as a part of your strategic planning.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions addresses this in AgriNews.  Read it HERE.

Mark and Jane Jost of Henderson, Nebraska work with Water Street Solutions in several different areas of their farm operation. They talked about their goals for their farm's legacy and how Water Street is helping:

"We started working with Water Street mainly because we have kids coming in to the operation - a son and son-in-law. We don't want them to have to make some of the same mistakes we went through in the last 30 years. We were looking for someone to be more involved in various facets of our operation in the way that Water Street does.

We see the importance in everything Water Street does and how to apply it on our farm. We're thinking about putting our farm's core values up in our shop office. We are really impressed with the emphasis Water Street places on communication on the farm. With three family members on our farm - and two of them being from the younger generation - there needs to be a lot of communication about what's going on."