In four decades of working with farm families, greed and entitlement are the two factors that have changed the most, says Ron Hanson, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska.
To that end, Hanson tells audiences: “Your Mom and Dad don’t owe you a farm. They don’t owe you anything.”
As farm transition planners, we see the good and the bad in families. Just last week, I was meeting with siblings who told their Mom that although the farm is important to them, her health, happiness and well-being mean much more. In another family, a Dad asked the kids to think about all of their farming neighbors who have one thing in common: the family members don’t speak to one another – all because of money and the aftermath of a poorly communicated plan for farm inheritance.
Mike Downey, Farm business consultant
April 23, 2024
