Annie’s Project offers ‘Managing for Today and Tomorrow’ Program Series focused on estate management and succession planning

It is often hard to talk about passing the family farm on to the next generation. A program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Clayton County can support farms and farm women with those decisions.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow is a five-session course designed especially to help farm women learn about the four components that create a successful transition - succession, business, estate, and retirement planning. Clayton County will offer the course beginning Thursday, March 7, 2019 and continuing March 14, March 21, March 28 and April 4. Online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/womeninag.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow, is a special Annie’s Project course developed at the request of past participants and provides additional information related to transition planning. Farm women of all ages can learn how to plan for the successful transition of their farm business from this generation to the next generation.

During the five-week course, participants will be provided with resources and activities to help make decisions for successful business transitions. There will be in-class activities and discussions based on participant questions, as well as follow-up activities for family members to complete at home.
Melissa O’Rourke, Farm and Business Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in northeast Iowa, has been educating Iowans on the importance of transition and estate planning. “Women that come to Managing for Today and Tomorrow are particularly interested in thinking about the future of their farm business,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke emphasizes the importance of getting involved in your farm business. “Whatever age, whatever stage you are involved in in the farm business, or whatever kind of ag business, get involved, start learning now, start making those plans now,” she said. “Years from now, you’ll be glad you did.”

Managing for Today and Tomorrow is being offered at Keystone AEA, 1400 Second St NW, in Elkader beginning on Thursdays at 9 a.m. beginning March 7. The cost is $75 per person. A light lunch will be served after the class at 12 p.m. For more information, contact Holly Loan at 563-245-1451, or e-mail hloan@iastate.edu. Register online at www.aep.iastate.edu/womeninag.

“Offering a quality program such as Managing for Today and Tomorrow is of great benefit to our community and we are excited to offer this program to women in the Clayton County area,” said Holly Loan, Clayton County Executive Coordinator.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow courses are offered in several locations across Iowa with the support of the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Services of America, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.