This winter, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) is partnering with the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) and the University of Maryland Extension to host a series of one-day farm succession workshops around Maryland.

As of 2017, the average age of principal farm operators in Maryland is 59, according to the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service’s state agriculture overview, illustrating the increasing need for the farming community to understand how to pass on the farm to the next generation.

Five winter workshops are split into two series designed around the idea that the succession process requires financial planning, communication, and a general understanding of business planning and estate planning tools.

This series of workshops, Investing in your Farm’s Future, includes three workshop dates. These workshops will feature speakers covering hands-on experiences with retirement planning, communication, and legacy planning.