To Support Farm and Ranch Transfers to Next-Generation Producers: Educate Landowners' Advisors about Opportunities to Transfer to a Next-Generation Farm/Ranch Seeker

Findings of research whose aim was to assist farm link services in their efforts to facilitate farm/ ranch transfers between non-relatives. Farm/ranch transfers between unrelated parties are common: The majority of agricultural land is actually acquired from a non-relative, and 25% of transfers of farmland ownership are between non-relatives. In response, farm linking services, along with financial incentives, public policies, and other targeted programming, aim to support transfers of operations and/or ownership between unrelated farm/ranch owners and farm/ranch seekers. Studies demonstrate the need for a substantial personnel resource to assist farm and ranch owners with farm transfers, and farm/ranch seekers with gaining secure land tenure. Many services to assist land owners in transferring a farm or ranch are designed to serve owners directly. As an additional strategy, some program leaders suggest targeting programming to the professional advisors of farm/ranch owners. This summary presents highlights.