By Andi Anderson
Participants will learn from experienced attorneys, farm management specialists, economists, and transition experts who understand the challenges that farm families face.
“Planning for a farm's future can feel complex and overwhelming, but with2026 Farm Transitions Conference, February 5-6, Ankeny Iowa, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Beginning Farmer Center the right tools, it can be both manageable and exciting,” said Kristiana Coutu, director of the Beginning Farmer Center and senior counsel with the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State. “Whether participants are just beginning to consider retirement, actively transitioning management or ownership or navigating multi-generational decision-making, the conference offers timely and actionable information.”
Session topics will include how current tax laws affect farm transfers and estate plans, using business entities to support succession goals, long term care and retirement planning, and considerations for non-family succession.
Participants will also learn strategies for having productive family and business conversations and practical steps to move from planning ideas to completed plans.
In addition to educational sessions, the conference will offer valuable networking opportunities. “Beyond the sessions, the conference offers valuable opportunities to connect with other farmers and landowners who face similar challenges and decisions,” mentioned Coutu.
All participants will receive a complimentary copy of the updated Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm workbook, which is a one-hundred-page resource published by ISU Extension and Outreach.
Attendees will also gain lifetime access to the Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm Portal, an online tool that supports learning before, during, and after the conference.
Registration is available online through the 2026 Farm Transitions Conference website. Participants who cannot attend in person may choose the virtual attendance option.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle