Plan Your Farm Future with SDSU Extension

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota State University Extension is preparing to help farm and ranch families secure their future through the Sustaining the Legacy conferences this winter and spring. These sessions provide guidance on estate planning and business transition for agricultural families at every stage of planning.

The conferences begin at the SDSU Extension Rapid City Regional Center on November 6, 13, and 20, 2025. Additional sessions follow in Winner on December 4, 11, and 18, 2025; Mitchell on January 8, 15, and 22, 2026; Aberdeen on February 3, 10, and 17, 2026; and Watertown on March 3, 10, and 17, 2026.

Heather Gessner, interim Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director and Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, explains that these meetings help families evaluate their current estate plans and identify needed updates. She notes that a family’s plan affects both those working the land and other family members who share in the legacy.

Participants learn about essential tools and strategies for passing on farm or ranch assets while ensuring parents remain financially secure. Topics include trusts, business structures like LLCs and corporations, life insurance, wills, probate, property titling, contracts, retirement planning, Medicare, Social Security, and end-of-life care.

Estate planning and ranch transition attorneys, along with other experts, will present practical steps to create and update a plan. The program encourages open family discussions and provides direction to professional resources.

Registration costs $70 per person if completed two weeks before each event and $80 afterward. Space is limited to create an interactive environment, so early registration is encouraged through the SDSU Extension Events page.

The Sustaining the Legacy conferences give families the confidence and knowledge to make important decisions, protect their assets, and ensure a smooth transfer of their farms or ranches to future generations.

Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university