Communication / Facilitation Tools

Effective communication is vital to the success of the farm transfer. The facilitator can determine how family members or a group of people communicate with each other in the first facilitated session. The role of the facilitator is to ask the difficult questions to start the discussions so that the participants will not be accused of broaching a controversial subject. Conflict can arise from almost any aspect of the succession plan. If open and honest communication is not developed in the beginning, a seemingly trivial issue can stop a succession plan in its tracks. These resources provide information about effective communication and tools to initiate those difficult conversations that need to happen.

Resources

• AgVentures Business Arrangements and Farm Transfers Chapter 1: People Considerations
• AgVentures Business Arrangements and Farm Transfers Chapter 6: The Five D's
• AgVentures Business Arrangements and Farm Transfers Chapter 8: Follow up Checklist
• Farm Transfers in Wisconsin a Guide for Farmers Chapter 2: Farm Family Issues and Considerations
• Farm Transfers in Wisconsin a Guide for Farmers Chapter 8: Finalizing and Monitoring the Transfer Process
• Two Generation Farming Step 3: Making It Work
• What Does Your Future Look like? Worksheet
• Wants, Needs, Fears and Expectations Teaching Outline
• Farm Succession Assessment Tool