Preparing the Next Generation of Farmers
March 6, 2026
Written By University of Missouri Extension
Every farmer understands a basic truth: A good harvest does not happen by chance. It takes planning, preparation and decisions made long before crops ever emerge from the soil.
Farm succession works the same way.
Across the Midwest, farm families are entering a season of transition that will shape not only individual operations but also the future of rural communities and the nation’s agricultural economy. For many families, the question is no longer if transition will happen, but how, and whether the next generation will be ready to step in when the time comes.
The urgency is real. An estimated 70 percent of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next 20 years. At the same time, agricultural census data show farmers age 65 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the farm population, now representing nearly 40 percent of producers. Together, these trends make it clear why succession planning matters now more than ever.
More than a Financial Transaction
Farm succession is the process of preparing the next generation to step into farm management and ownership while helping senior operators move into new roles, either on or off the farm. It is often treated as a legal or financial exercise, but for most families, it is much more personal and complex.
Families often struggle to find solutions that feel fair when some family members work in the operation and others do not. At the same time, there are real concerns about the farm’s long-term viability. While land values have increased significantly, farm income has not kept pace. In many cases, land no longer generates enough cash flow for a beginning farmer to purchase it outright, even when part of the operation is inherited.
Retiring farmers must balance retirement income needs, tax implications and the desire to keep the farm intact. Just as challenging are the emotional realities. For many producers, farming is more than a business. It is identity, purpose and daily rhythm. Letting go of control can feel like losing part of oneself, which is why planning is often delayed until illness, death or conflict forces decisions.
Like skipping field preparation and hoping for a good yield, avoiding these conversations rarely leads to a successful outcome.
Helping Retiring Farmers Prepare
Navigating this transition requires creating space for honest conversations and realistic planning. Estate planning attorneys and agricultural extension programs can serve as trusted third parties, helping families talk through sensitive issues that are easy to avoid. Because they are not part of the family or the operation, these professionals can help keep discussions focused, productive and forward-looking.
Many families benefit from seeing succession as a gradual process rather than a single handoff. Transferring responsibility over time allows senior operators to step back at a manageable pace while building the next generation’s confidence. This approach reduces fear around letting go and creates clearer expectations for everyone involved.
Just as important, retiring farmers benefit from thinking intentionally about what comes next. Instead of viewing succession as walking away, many find meaning in mentoring or coaching successors. Others step fully away to focus on family, community involvement or personal interests. Planning for life after transition helps maintain a sense of purpose while giving successors room to lead.
Preparing the Next Generation
Preparing succeeding farmers for the realities of running an operation requires long-term development. Skills, confidence and experience must be built well before formal succession planning begins.
That preparation often starts in youth. Programs such as 4-H help young people develop leadership, communication and problem-solving skills while exposing them to agriculture as a viable career path. These early experiences encourage entrepreneurial thinking and show that modern farming extends far beyond production.
On the farm, a gradual transfer of responsibility works best. Rather than treating successors only as hired labor, families are encouraged to assign management of specific enterprises or business functions. Managing a livestock enterprise, cropping system or marketing plan allows young farmers to make decisions, learn from mistakes and build confidence in real-world conditions.
Research-based education in crop and livestock management supports this process. From agronomic decisions and animal health to risk management and marketing strategies, producers can access practical guidance that strengthens productivity and resilience as responsibilities grow.
Innovation also plays a growing role in long-term viability. Families exploring value-added enterprises such as specialty livestock, agritourism or on-farm processing can generate additional income and support multiple family members. These opportunities help farms adapt in a changing agricultural economy.
Community Matters
For many young people, returning to the farm is about more than the operation itself. They want to know whether they can build a life in the surrounding community.
Reliable internet, health care, schools and social connections all influence that decision. Community development efforts in broadband access, workforce development and local leadership help make rural areas attractive places to live and work. Reliable internet in particular helps families stay connected, pursue education and access remote work opportunities that can supplement farm income. These factors make rural life not just possible, but attractive.
Investing in a Future Harvest
Keeping family farms viable is about more than preserving tradition. It sustains our nation’s food system, strengthens rural economies and protects land that has been stewarded for generations. With so much farmland poised to change hands, the future depends on whether today’s farmers plan ahead and whether tomorrow’s farmers are prepared to lead.
Succession planning is not a single decision made at retirement. It is a long-term investment in people. As with any crop, the harvest depends on what is planted and tended today. By planning early and intentionally, farm families can help ensure their operations continue to grow for generations to come.
Guest column by University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialists Wesley Tucker, Denice Ferguson and Mary Sobba, and Robert Jones, director of Integrated Marketing Communications for MU Extension.