A farm’s founders and successors alike need clarity of expectations.

Write the first draft now for your next chapter

You no longer have the luxury of avoiding hard conversations

Imagine how wonderful life would be on your farm if you did not have to guess what other folks on your farm team really want for their lives, and for the farm business? I had the great joy of speaking to 540 young Iowa farmers last month. Many of them are stuck in getting equity […] Read more

One marker in a farmer’s life should be to set up a succession plan that keeps family bonds intact.

Finding a ‘bridge’ over transition waters

A will or partnership agreement is important, but is not a farm succession plan

Maggie Van Camp understands the challenges as well as the tremendous value of farm succession planning. She’s been on that road a couple of times in her life as a seventh-generation Ontario farmer, as well as a communicator and agricultural consultant. The first time was after the sudden death of her husband in a farming […] Read more


Under the legislation, farmers can now sell farm shares to their children, creating a shareholder loan.

How to reduce the tax load on a farm succession

A Manitoba MP's bill is considered a game-changer for farm transition — if you know how to use it

Glacier FarmMedia — Taking advantage of the revamped federal Bill C-208 can provide you with some significant tax savings when drafting family succession plans for your farm. C-208 was initially introduced as a private member’s bill by Manitoba MP Larry Maguire in 2021. The bill sought to amend the federal Income Tax Act to exclude […] Read more

Family members’ unspoken expectations can turn out to be “the silent killer” of a family farm, FCC’s Tim Lang says.

Plan now for a farm’s future

FCC business advisor Tim Lang offers advice on what families need to consider in transition planning

With Canada’s farm population aging, it stands to reason transition planning would be a high priority for farmers in this country. But that doesn’t appear to be the case. Despite 60 per cent of Canadian farmers being age 55 or older, fewer than one in 10 have a written transition plan, according to Farm Management […] Read more


parents and an adult child discussing finances

Get the tough and tender transition conversations started in 2024

A farm’s founders may not want the embarrassment if they see a personal net worth lower than expected

Seven years ago, here’s what I said about getting transition conversations started: Show up as adults to attack the issues, do not attack the person who is delivering ideas for change. Understand transition is a journey of many plans, with communication as the foundation. Spend some quiet time with yourself thinking about what you truly […] Read more

Andrea Borodenko and Antoine Casimir have acquired Quebec’s Production Lareault.(CNW Group/Production Lareault)

Major strawberry plant producer changes hands

New owners get funding to buy Lareault business

The Quebec company billed as Canada’s largest producer of strawberry plants has picked up new ownership after nearly 70 years. Production Lareault, based on just over 450 acres at Lavaltrie, Que. — about 40 km northeast of Montreal, in the province’s Lanaudiere region — has been acquired by investors Antoine Casimir and Andrea Borodenko for […] Read more


Photo: StockSeller_ukr/istock/getty images

Honest communication: The key for farm succession

Unsure of your future on the family farm? Helping Dad share his emotions can achieve clarity for all

The green of spring and summer in this country goes by far too quickly. Our eldest granddaughter turned six two months ago, which means I have just 12 summers left before she launches at 18. Yes, time is going by, and many farms may share this situation. As Mom and Dad age on the farm, […] Read more

Martha would like to retire next year.
However, if she does that, she fears
she might run out of money one day.
Estimating income for her long life
ahead is a challenge.

Options for a widow to retire and keep the farm in the family

The farm continues, Mom’s retirement is secure and assets provided for non-farming kids

Martha, as we’ll call her, is a 51-year-old widow. She owns 3,100 acres in southeastern Manitoba. Her daughter, who we’ll call Alice, is 30. Alice wants to continue the family farm, although her siblings, a brother and a sister, want to continue with their town jobs. Planning this generational transfer is complex. Martha’s personally held […] Read more


(JJ Gouin/iStock/Getty Images)

International farmers may ease Canadian human capital crunch

A global retirement crunch is coming and Canada is ill prepared, report says

As other nations reduce their agricultural footprints in an effort to boost sustainability, their loss could be Canada’s human capital gain, a new report suggests. “The immigration of scientists, data engineers, and entrepreneurs has been recognized as critical to Canada’s growth. A similar approach needs to be adopted to attract farmers,” the authors wrote. The […] Read more

Choosing not to talk or giving your family the silent treatment is a decision with painful consequences, as you don’t have input in the wealth transfer decision process.

Froese: Reduce family friction

How to get your non-farm siblings on board with your farm vision

Are your aunts and uncles still talking to your farm parents? Do you have a broken branch of your family tree that has been severed forever due to estrangement? Would you like to have a healing story for your farm family transition with no drama? “The Farmland Dilemma: Help! The Siblings Who Don’t Farm are […] Read more