With interest in farm succession planning on the steady rise, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will hold a series of workshops in February to provide farm families with tools to better ensure that these operations are passed successfully from one generation to the next, said Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator.

The workshop for the southeast region will be Thursday at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland beginning with registration at 5:15 p.m. Dinner will follow.

“There is much interest in this topic and this should be a great opportunity for anyone interested in farm succession planning,” Lyons said. “Anyone interested in learning about the critical factors for success associated with transferring a farming operation across generations is encouraged to attend.”

The workshops will help families assess the feasibility of two-generation farming operations and how to develop the communication and human relationship skills essential for success, Lyons said.

Families will also be advised about the most effective ways to transfer ownership and management responsibilities and to divide business income.

“The training will also identify the factors most essential for securing a business arrangement that serves both generations,” Lyons said. The workshops will give families an overview of the farm business transfer process and the key factors they need to discuss before they proceed with planning.

Dr. Paul Brown, Alabama Extension associate director, will be one of the featured speakers at the workshops.

“The workshops will explore a four-stage transfer process where ownership, management and income are transferred from one generation to the next using a series of business arrangements,” Brown said.

Other featured speakers for the workshop will include Dr. Francesca Adler-Baeder, Alabama Extension specialist and professor in the Department of Human and Family Studies at Auburn University, and Dr. Robert Tufts, an attorney, Alabama Extension specialist and professor in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

Brown said each workshop will be capped off with a discussion about planning assistance, further educational topics and future programming.

Pre-registration is required so that meal arrangements can be made and materials prepared. For more information, contact the Pike County Extension office at 566-0985.