farmercate

"Someday, all this will be yours…" A young man in Iowa heard that line for over a decade. Came back to the farm when his dad had a health scare. At the time, it was just for short-term help. He’d already started a solid career in ag retail after trade school because the farm wasn’t big enough to support two generations. But when he came back, he realized expansion could happen and his passion was the family farm. So he agreed to stick around. He worked his tail off. Took a job off the farm to make ends meet, married a local gal, built a life there. The farm grew. They dreamed of taking it over someday. But, "someday" was always just over the horizon. Every time they got close to talking about a real succession plan, his parents resisted. The goalposts kept moving. "If we get 80 more acres, then we’ll talk…" "If you can find a place to rent nearby, then we’ll talk…" "If you buy some land of your own, then we’ll talk…" "If we have a couple good years in a row, then we'll talk..." But the talk never happened. Eventually, with two kids and 10 years gone, they gave the owner generation a clear, respectful proposal for the future. And were shot down. Fast. So he made the hardest decision of his life... he left. Took a DSM job in ag retail and moved his young family to Minnesota. His heart’s still back on the family farm, but he finally put his family’s future ahead of a fading promise. Unfortunately, the relationship with his folks has soured. He told me this story, and asked me to share it, so others might hear it. For awareness, not to place blame. If you’re the next gen, don’t ignore the warning signs. If you’re the owner gen, don’t let pride or fear kill the legacy you worked to build. Succession only happens if someone’s willing to lead. And leadership means putting things in writing. Before it’s too late.