Beginning Farmer & Land Access
Farm Legacy Planning Guide
A guide to farm legacy planning. It helps farm families describe what they want to pass on, including land, values, and knowledge, as well as the business itself.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeginning Farmer & Land AccessFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Define what legacy means to you
- Record farm history and stories
- List values to pass on
- Name who will carry on the farm
- Document key farm knowledge
- Plan fair treatment of all heirs
- Discuss plans as a family
- Involve an attorney and advisor
How to use this guide
Walk a new hand through the steps once, then let them use the page on their own. Add your own notes as you learn what works.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with eXtension and USDA.
For more in this area, see the farm loans, grants and taxes. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Farm Succession Planning, and agribusiness farm stories.