Farm Ownership Transition Program

A new program by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture seeks to build connections between farmers who are ready to get out of the business and those who want to get in.

The Minnesota Farm Transition Program offers a place where farmers who are ready to retire can connect with beginning farmers who may need help getting past the high capital costs of getting started.

Department official Jim Ostlie tells the Winona Daily News that the goal is to pair retiring farmers without an heir and new farmers without a farm to inherit or take over.

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Creating a system to transfer farm ownership is not as easy as just making a good introductions, Ostlie pointed out. For a farmer thinking about retirement, the process is emotional. And it takes years.

Ostlie estimated five to 15 years for a full transfer. Many incoming farmers would start out as employees, gradually being trained, mentored and purchasing assets.

More than 30 beginning farmers and nine retiring farmers have signed up for the program since it launched last fall. Several others are currently working on arrangements.

Source: Winona Daily News

Farm Ownership Transition Program

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