Farm and Ranch Succession and Estate Planning

arm Family by Combine

Your Guide to Farm & Ranch Transition

Plan Today. Secure Tomorrow.


LATEST RESOURCES

 

Transition planning is about more than paperwork. I’s about families, communication, and the future of Nebraska agriculture.

Whether you’re just starting or rethinking an existing plan, these resources from the Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will help you navigate legal, financial, and family considerations for a successful transition.

Nebraska Land Link

Matching Land Seekers with Landowners

Nebraska Land Link connects retiring landowners with aspiring and beginning farmers to create successful succession matches. The program helps preserve family legacies, keep land in agriculture, and support the next generation of producers. Learn more and apply!

Land Link Program
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Programs and Incentives for Producers and Landowners

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Producers and landowners can leverage federal, state, and nonprofit programs for loans, tax incentives, and conservation cost-share. This list is a starting point and will be updated as new opportunities are identified.

Explore Programs
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Succession Planning Without a Family Heir

A Practical Guide

Not every farm or ranch has a family successor in place. This guides explores practical steps — from legal agreements to selling assets and building advisory team — to help producers plan for the future of their operations even without an heir.

Read the Guide
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Questions? 


All four of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's regional extension educators across Nebraska are trained and certified in farm and ranch transition education. Click below to find contact information for the educator in your region.

Contact an Extension Educator

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Transition and Succession

Geting Started

Every successful transition begins with a first step. These resources give you a starting point to understand the basics of succession planning, explore Nebraska Land Link, and see simple strategies that can help you begin or revisit your farm or ranch’s future plan.

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Getting Started: Transition and Succession

Legal Tools & Structures

Transition and Succession

Legal Tools & Structures

From wills and trusts to LLCs and buy-sell agreements, legal tools provide the foundation for a smooth transition. These resources explain the options, highlight common pitfalls, and help you choose the right structure for your farm or ranch.

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FInance & Taxes

Transition and Succession

Finance & Taxes

Strong transition plans balance both family goals and financial realities. These resources explain key tax rules, retirement impacts, and strategies like life insurance that help farm and ranch families protect assets, manage risk, and keep operations viable for the next generation.

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Family & Communication

Transition and Succession

Family & Communication

Open conversations are the backbone of successful transitions. These resources focus on family meetings, communication strategies, and ways to bridge generational perspectives so farm and ranch families can make decisions together with clarity and trust.

Farmers talking outside of tractor in the field.

Land & Leasing

Transition and Succession

Land & Leasing

Land is often the most valuable part of a farm or ranch, and how it’s leased or transferred plays a critical role in succession. These resources cover lease structures, cash rent considerations, and strategies to ensure land agreements support both current owners and the next generation.

Cattle grazing in corn field.

Emotion & Human Dynamics

Transition and Succession

Emotion & Human Dynamics

Succession planning isn’t just about legal documents or finances. It’s also about people. These resources address the emotional side of transition, from coping with change and grief to navigating identity, trust, and family conflict.

Farmer and wife in combine cab.

Programs and Incentives for Producers and Landowners

In addition to transition and succession planning, producers and landowners can leverage federal, state, and nonprofit programs for loans, tax incentives, and conservation cost-share. This list is a starting point and will be updated as new opportunities are identified.

Beginning Farmer Resources

Other Tax Incentives & Development

Conservation & Cost-Share Programs

Additional Loan Programs

Program Directories & Search Tools

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