How We Help
Farm Succession School
Most transitioning farmers want to see their land stay in agriculture but have no succession plan in place. To ease this planning process, Land For Good offers the Farm Succession School to help farmers plan for the future of their farm. This is a three-day intensive course that we bring to different states across New England.
Coming to Massachusetts this winter!
If you are ready to dig in to farm succession planning or a farm transfer, this three-day session is designed to help you think through the many aspects of succession planning, clarify vision and goals, get next steps on paper, and review necessary documents to provide for a smooth transition. There is homework and assistance available between sessions. Each session includes ample time to share and learn from other farmers facing similar questions. Presenters include Land For Good staff, plus a business planner, attorney, and mediation/communication professional.
Farmers do not need to have an identified successor to participate! Open to all farmers located in Massachusetts.
Dates:
- Tuesday, January 26, 2027 (snow date: Friday, January 29),
- Tuesday, February 23, 2027 (snow date: Friday, February 26), and
- Tuesday, March 23, 2027 (snow date: Friday, March 26)
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location: Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
249 Lakeside Ave, Marlboro, MA 01752
Register now
What you will gain:
- Connections to a peer network of support
- Advisor referrals
- Clarity on your goals, options and next steps
- Personalized farm succession plan task list
- Continuing technical assistance with Land For Good field agents
Course fee is $100 per farm, subsidized by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Business Training Program.
Presenters:
Shemariah Blum-Evitts, Executive Director at Land For Good, has been part of the leadership team at Land For Good since 2018. Her experience includes developing and implementing new farmer support programming, grant and fiscal management, and staff supervision. She has worked with landowners across New England to consider farmland transfer opportunities, and she teaches LFG’s Farm Succession School annually. Shemariah holds a Masters in Regional Planning with a focus in land use and agricultural planning. She has been farming since 2004 and co-owns a pastured poultry operation in Deerfield, MA.
Heather Weeks is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Business Consultant at Farm Credit East helping farmers grow their businesses and realize their dreams. Since joining Farm Credit in 2016, Heather has worked with diverse farm businesses in lending and financial planning. Her focus areas include dairy benchmarking and farm transitions. Heather worked in international development, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador and teaching financial literacy with the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program. Before joining Farm Credit, Heather taught farm business management for Penn State Extension. She is a 4-H Leader and volunteers with North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. She holds an M.S. from Virginia Tech in Ag Economics and a B.S. in Dairy Science.
More presenter info to come
Register now
Special thanks to:
Hear from past participants
If you’re wondering if the Farm Succession School is right for you, farmers shared their highlights:
“Highly recommend they take the course, you will learn things you didn’t know you needed.”
“I got so much from the program—both in information and connections! I hope to translate at least part of what I learned into the reality of our farm’s future.”
“Absolutely do it…. when you hit 50-55!!”
“Attend! This series will help you focus on creating concrete steps of vague thoughts… steps that will move you towards successful business transition/ succession.”
“Do it without a moment’s hesitation.”
“Very worthwhile, gained as much from listening to discussions with other participants as from the materials, very knowledgeable instructors—good at probing deeper, listening, and responding.”
Interested in a future succession school in your area?
If you have a request for a future school location, state or region, or venue suggestions, please complete this form.
Get in touch for individual assistance
Land For Good also offers one-on-one advising to help New England farmers start, continue, or complete their farm succession plan. We have the knowledge, networks and experience to help you make a plan that fits your situation and achieves your goals. We’ve helped hundreds of farmers and partners find innovative solutions that keep their farms in farming, provide a meaningful legacy, and address the financial, legal, and business challenges involved in transferring a farm to a next generation family member or unrelated successor.
Get in touch through our Farm Transfer Form. A member of our team will share recommended resources, next steps and/or referrals. They will connect you with a Land For Good field agent for a no-cost information session if appropriate.
Have questions?
Wondering if Farm Succession School is right for you? Reach out to Johanna Rosen, New England Program Manager, or call 603-357-1600.
Resources
- Find resources for Transferring a Farm
- Complete the Where Do I Start? Farm Succession Planning workbook
- Watch the Farm Succession Planning Webinar Series
