SACRAMENTO — There are nearly six times more California farmers aged 65 or older than there are farmers who are under 35. Many older farmers and their families find it difficult to retire while preserving the farm business. In response to this opportunity for the next generation, California FarmLink is launching The Regenerator: A Year of Farm Succession Planning.
The Regenerator is designed as a comprehensive program to help farm and ranch families work together to create a vision and plan for land and business succession. Starting in November 2021, the course will combine online meetings with in-person convenings in Sacramento. Unlike many educational courses about farm succession, families who participate in the Regenerator will emerge with a fully actionable succession plan.
California FarmLink invites farm families in the Sacramento region to join its innovative business succession program. As Liya Schwartzman, Senior Program Manager, explains, “There is no time like the present to make a plan for the future of the agricultural business that you’ve spent your life growing. This year has taught us to start planning for change before it is thrust upon us.”
Eligible applicants for the program need to have an identified successor, and plan to transition ownership within 15 years. At least three members of the business transition must agree to participate in the program, representing both the “incumbent” and “successor” generations. With a maximum of ten farms in the cohort, FarmLink’s program will provide access to professional advisors and personalized technical assistance. The goal is to help families work together to define their goals, establish strategies to meet them and ultimately revitalize their businesses.
The course application fee is $25, and if the family is approved for the program, the full course fee is $800. After completing course milestones, each family will be eligible to receive up to $1600 in professional services of their choosing to facilitate the completion of their succession plan. Participants will also benefit from the resources and support of FarmLink staff throughout the program and beyond. For more information or to apply, see https://www.californiafarmlink.org/succession/Â
California FarmLink is a 21-year-old nonprofit organization investing in the prosperity of farmers and ranchers through education, loans, and access to land. FarmLink works across the state with a focus on serving communities of color and beginning farmers and ranchers. The organization partners with farmers, ranchers, professional advisors, impact investors, public agencies and other nonprofits, weaving an ecosystem of support for next-generation farmers.
–California FarmLink
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