According to a 2005 survey conducted by the North Carolina Farm Transition Network, farmers do not talk with their families. Consider these results from the 2,099 survey respondents:

~ 67% have not discussed retirement plans with anyone
~ 43% do not have an estate plan
~ 42% do not have a will
~ 75% have not identified a farm successor
~ Of those who have named a successor, 50% of the offspring candidates currently work off the farm

"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee - and just as hard to sleep after",

observed Anne Morrow Lindbergh. And yet, a lack of conversation can bring about worse consequences than one restless night. Talk to your spouse, family, key employees, and professionals about your succession planning objectives.

Start the conversation today.