Plan Your Farm's Future

Have you thought about your farm’s future? We are here to help you explore your options.

Candid shot of a farmer

Think Ahead

Farm transitions can be complicated for both exiting farm owners and incoming farmers. Successful transitions often require careful navigation of multiple goals and often warrant in-depth financial planning and close consideration of many factors. Transferring the farm business while the business is still fully operational is ideal so that you have the resources to retire or transition to another opportunity, and the land stays in farming.

Farmer harvesting in the field

Planning for Your Farm's Future Workshops

December 3 from 9-2:30pm at Auburn Senior Community Center - Register Here
Dececember 12 from 9-2:30pm at Farmington Grange - Register Here

This workshop is for you if you:

  • Are a farm business owner
  • Have been wanting to start your succession planning process but aren’t sure where to start
  • Are at the beginning of your planning process
  • Are interested to hear other farmers’ experiences when thinking about the future of their farm
  • Are looking for manageable action steps to take to move the planning process forward

The day will include an overview of succession planning, assessing your farm transfer situation, creating visions and goal-setting, and generating an action plan. It will also include a panel of farmers who will share their personal successes and challenges with their farm transfer experience.

Lunch will be provided. Reimbursements for expenses related to attending workshops are available (mileage, childcare, relief labor, etc.).

Please register by November 25th

Seeds in hand

What is Succession Planning?

It’s the process of transitioning your farm business, land and/or other farm assets from one farm operator(s) to the next. It can include transferring ownership, skills, knowledge, and management roles. It's an important process to consider when retiring or stepping back from farming, and it can be complex and take many years.

Whether you think you’ll be farming for decades more or think retirement may be in the near future, now is a great time to start your farm succession plan!

Navigating the Process

Historically, farms were handed down to children, but today the successors are often not family members, and the process and financing options can be complicated. Whether you're looking to transition away from farming or you are ready to take over the farm, it can be hard to find professional services like lawyers, accountants and estate planners with relevant, up-to-date expertise. We can help you identify possible options and connect you with professionals who can help you understand the legal and financial aspects of transferring a farm business.

A farmer's hand placing a strawberry into a blue cardboard pint box.
A line of cows crossing the road, supervised by a farmer.

Maine FarmLink

If you are a farm owner who is ready to sell or lease your farm or farmland, you may want to post your property on Maine FarmLink.

Get In Touch

A woman standing in front of some trees

Tricia Rouleau

Farm Network Director
207-338-6575trouleau@mainefarmlandtrust.org

Tricia Rouleau

Farm Network Director

A woman standing in front of some trees