In the next 20 years U.S. farms will transition on the average of 15 per hour. That is a statistic that is alarming. It illustrates the need for estate planning and transfer farm operations from one generation to then next.  

According to the “Census of Agriculture”, the average age of an agricultural producer in 2017 was 58.1 years. The same report states that 66% of all who farm in the Sunflower State are more than 55 years. What this means per Ashlee Westerhold, director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transitions at KSU, is that, “most of our farmers and ranchers could retire in the next 10 years.   

Westerhold will present a series of Farm Transition meetings in February 2023. She will present strategies to initiate the process for a successful farm succession. The program will also include an attorney and an accountant to discuss the legal and financial aspects of the process. The series will be held on Friday Feb. 11, 2023 in Ottawa; Monday Feb. 13 in Garden City; Feb. 14 in Cimarron; and Feb. 15 in St. John.  

To register for the St. John program on Feb. 15, call the 21 Central office in St. John at 620-549-3502. The program will begin at 9 a.m. at the Stafford County Extension Office, 210 E. 3rd Street and run until 3 p.m. Cost will be $10, payable at the door and includes lunch.  

For more information, contact the 21 Central Extension Office at 620-659-2149 Kinsley; 620 549-3502 St. John; or email mgleason@ksu.edu. You can also contact me at the Great Bend office at 620-793-1910 or email at aboor@ksu.edu if you need help, or for any questions. 

Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.