"It's people who don't think succession is a big deal and haven't worried about it who so often find themselves dealing with some major issues they never expected," according to Melissa Dumont.

Dumont is the conference organizer of the International Farm Succession Conference. It's Never Easy: Even the Best Struggle with Transfer Issues (by Glenn Cheater on FarmCentre.com, October 2007) tells the story of one farm family who hosted conference attendees during this year's event.

The Hamilton family has spent 10 years preparing to transition their sod farm to their son. The journey has required them to change their direction, to expand, to learn to delegate duties to non-family management... and to worry.

For a look at one family's story about a very successful yet "nerve-wracking leap of faith", take a look.