By John Baker

The future of Iowa farms and the next generation of farmers are determined today by the decisions made by current farm family business owners. Who will operate the farm family business? Who will own the assets? Who will be the stewards of Iowa’s farmland — and how will rural communities be affected? Those are just a few of the important questions that will shape the future of family farming in Iowa.

These decisions are being made not only in Iowa, but also throughout the world. And, as in Iowa, the decisions will create the farm family business and communities of tomorrow. 

In 1999, Iowa State University Extension and Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, located in England, created the FarmTransfers International Research Project to find answers to these and other important questions. The objectives of this effort were to use a common survey questionnaire to:

Provides insight on farm transfer

Since the creation of FarmTransfers, the survey has been conducted in England, Ireland, France, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Japan and several states in the United States. More than 20,000 farm family businessowners and operators have completed the survey. The result is a longitudinal study of their estate plans, transition of management plans, retirement plans and the long-term strategic plan for the farm.

The Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University used the results of the 2001 and 2006 surveys to create and update the Returning to the Farm seminar. The four-day seminar assists participants in the development of their farm family business succession plan. Additional information on the Returning to the Farm seminar can be found on the Beginning Farmer Center webpage.

The International Farm Transition Network has used results of several of the surveys to develop the curriculum for the Farm Succession Coordinators certification course. The IFTN has certified coordinators in 21 states. For more information on this training, visit the IFTN website at farmtransition.org.

Families surveyed this summer

The ISU Beginning Farmer Center is conducting the survey again in 2019. If you receive the questionnaire, please take time to complete and return it. Individual responses are anonymous and confidential.

The results of the survey will not only be used to answer questions and address the issues listed here, but will also assist in development of educational efforts to address issues identified by the survey participants. The support received from Iowa farm families by answering the survey questions will enhance opportunities for the next generation.

If you have questions about the survey, contact staff toll-free at 877-232-1999 or via email at [email protected].

Baker is former director of the Beginning Farmer Center. He and colleague David Baker, current director of the BFC, are managing the 2019 survey.

Source: Beginning Farmer Center, which is responsible for information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any content in this information asset.