Many next-gen farmers run into this problem when returning to the farm after college. One way that these producers can have a clear plan to operate the farm long after dad and grandpa are retired is to have a succession plan.

Billie Lentz, a fifth-generation farmer from Rolla, N.D., is passionate about succession planning and helping others start those conversations early. As the next generation of a barley, soybean, wheat and canola operation, she has been working right alongside her grandpa and dad to learn the ropes of the farm.

“I have an opportunity to step into a business and continue to make a profitable life out of it,” Lentz said. “From early on, it came down to removing a lot of emotion from these conversations.”