In the most recent Hardin County Extension needs assessment survey, the top two priorities identified by the community were the sustainability of family farms and preserving/managing agricultural land—both of which are at risk when families do not have a plan in place for the future transfer of assets. To address this critical need, the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service developed the P.L.A.N. (Protecting Land and Assets Now) program, designed to educate farm families, landowners, and others with assets on estate planning and asset transfer. Educational efforts included a multi-session program featuring both Extension specialists and industry professionals as speakers. The program was promoted through newspaper articles, social media, and flyers placed at local farm supply stores across the county. Additionally, over 400 individuals, mostly families, received information about the program, both verbally and in printed form, at the Hardin County Fair Farm to Table dinner event. The intended audience for the program was primarily farm families and landowners who are closely connected to the county’s agricultural economy, but it also drew participation from others concerned about managing personal belongings and preparing for future generations. A total of 60% of attendees reported having no prior plan for their assets. After participating in the program, 80% of those individuals indicated they felt at least somewhat comfortable moving forward with developing a plan. One attendee shared that although she didn’t own a farm, she found the information invaluable after experiencing family conflict due to the lack of a plan in her parents’ estate. Program delivery was made possible through the collaboration of Family and Consumer Sciences agent Dayna Fentress and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents, me and Daniel Carpenter, with support from Hardin County Farm Bureau, which sponsored the program meal. Initial outcomes included increased awareness, knowledge, and confidence among participants. Intermediate outcomes included participants planning to take action on estate management. Based on survey feedback and expressed interest in additional related topics, Hardin County Extension plans to offer the P.L.A.N. series on an annual basis to sustain momentum, encourage continued learning, and support long-term impacts such as increased family farm sustainability and land preservation throughout the county.
Success StoryPreparing to Leave Assets to the next Generation (PLAN)
Preparing to Leave Assets to the next Generation (PLAN)
Author: Ashley Norton
Planning Unit: Hardin County CES
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work
Outcome: Initial Outcome
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