By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is supporting farm and ranch families through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences, designed to help producers with estate and transition planning.
The series of winter workshops focuses on long-term strategies for maintaining farm operations and passing them successfully to the next generation.
The conferences provide farmers and ranchers with tools to review their existing estate plans, identify gaps, and make necessary updates. Participants learn how to protect assets, plan for long-term care, and ensure family stability during ownership transitions.
The next event takes place at the SDSU Extension Winner Regional Center on December 4, 11, and 18, 2025. Registration costs $70 per person before the deadline or $80 afterward. Additional sessions are scheduled for Mitchell, Aberdeen, and Watertown from January through March 2026.
"It's hard for farms and ranches to pass to the next generation if there isn't a plan in place to cover the living expenses, including long-term care situations. Planning for these expenses and needs is part of the process," Gessner said.
Conference topics include trusts, wills, business structures, property titling, insurance, contracts, retirement planning, and elder care. Legal professionals and financial experts will lead the sessions, helping participants understand key tools and build confidence to start important family discussions.
Gessner hopes attendees leave with the knowledge to create actionable plans for their farm’s future. Registration details are available on the SDSU Extension Events page by searching “legacy.”
The conferences are open to families at all stages of planning, providing guidance to help them sustain their agricultural legacy for generations to come.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Sustainable Agriculture