The presentation in this session at American Farmland Trust’s Farmland, Food and Livable Communities Conference looks at the most challenging step in farm succession–starting the conversation. This session highlights the need for forethought and how to talk about farm succession within a farm family. It also will explore how to plan for land management, and land and business succession strategies to ensure sound stewardship, economic viability and a smooth transition from one farm owner to another–or one generation to the next.

Session Presenters: Susan Hamilton, Windrow Land Resources, board member Kentucky Natural Lands Trust and Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (moderator); Jerry Cosgrove, Associate Director, Local Economies Project, New World Foundation; Kurt Mason, Chair, Louisville/Jefferson County Environmental Trust and small farm owner; Steve Rutledge, President and Owner, Professional Land Management, Inc., Kentucky.