April 2024 - 29

BUSINESS
security. Not knowing what " the plan " is can cause
fear and resentment. Occasionally these concerns are
insurmountable, but more often good communication can
settle things down. But these can be emotionally charged
conversations, and may require an impartial facilitator/
moderator who doesn't share your last name!
Unprepared heirs
A succession plan should establish clear expectations
for the next generation; identify educational
requirements to join the operation, ongoing professional
development, and required membership in regional or
national farming associations. All family members should
clearly understand that advancing in your operation
requires work and achieving objective benchmarks.
Failure of mission or vision
While you might think the children who grew up on the
farm (and the spouses they married!) would all share
a common vision. That's not always the case! When
important questions come up - buying or selling acreage,
adding irrigation, adding a new crop, maybe even dabbling
in solar - what is the agreed upon decision making
process? Having a mission and vision statement in place
helps immensely when the inevitable conflicts surface.
Cultivators designed for
Blueberries, Strawberries, and
Vegetables in Plastic Culture
It is much easier to develop that mission and vision
statement when your family members are objective, rather
than trying to build consensus when emotions and tempers
are running high. When faced with conflict and big decisions,
does every family member get a vote? Do designated
family members make those big decisions? Or should a
CEO who is not a family member make the tough calls?
Putting a well-thought-out plan in place when times
are good, can save the operation - and the family
relationships - in challenging times.
Our fourth article in this series will identify proven
" best practices " you can employ in your operation.
Disclaimer: Jeffrey S. DeWald is a Registered
Representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities
offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. a broker/
dealer. Investment Advisory Services offered through
Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial
Advisors Corp., a registered investment advisor. Insurance
offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies.
Agribusiness Succession Advisors LLC is not an affiliate of
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. CRN-5846746-073123
Jeffrey S. DeWald CLU, ChFC, CBEC is a founder and
managing member of Agribusiness Succession Advisors, LLC.
DeWald can be reached by email at Jeff.DeWald@lfg.com.
For more information, visit www.agsuccession.com.
Apples available for 2025
VARIETY
ROOTSTOCK
* Excellent weed removal provided by rolling cultivators
or disk gangs.
* Renovate Strawberries, cultivate Blueberries.
* Cultivate close to the edge of plastic.
* Toolbars include Hydraulic Width Adjustment.
* Very adjustable for use on many crops.
Hillside Cultivator Co. LLC
911 Disston View Dr., Lititz, PA 17543
Visit our web site: www.hillsidecultivator.com
or Call (717) 669-3158
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Hilltop Fruit Trees
P.O. Box 538
60395 C.R. 681
Hartford, MI 49057
269-621-3135
FAX: 269-621-2062
Contact us for more information
1-800-253-2911
www.hilltopfruittrees.com
E-Mail: adam@hilltopfruittrees.com
FRUITGROWERSNEWS.COM | 29
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April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2024
