I’ve appreciated all the emails and phone calls related to the series of columns I did on the “Leaving a Lasting Legacy” series. There’s so much more I didn’t share in these columns. Comments have included how families are currently working through various issues and situations that I shared and also stories of heartbreak. I realized one thing I never cleared up was the difference between a succession plan and estate plan. Polly Dobbs, Attorney, shared,

“If you’re breathing, and deciding who takes over the farm operation as you slow down towards retirement, that’s a succession plan. For example, perhaps the successor is buying equipment, on installment over time. Or, perhaps you’re giving up some acres to the successor.

If you die, the plan about who gets what, that’s an estate plan. It must complement the succession plan. Does the successor have to keep buying the equipment, or just get it? Does the successor have a right to lease your land? Does the successor need to buy your land? Have option to buy?”

Has your successor put in sweat equity? Think of the succession plan as deferred compensation. If you don’t have a related successor, do you want to find an unrelated one? Income tax consequences of selling equipment and final harvest require a team approach with your CPA well ahead of retirement. Reminder: Returning to the Farm Workshop is March 7-8 in Hastings. Info: https://cap.unl.edu/rtf25.

Webinar: “How to pay for long-term care without selling the family farm or going broke!” is a free webinar being held this week on February 27, 2025 at Noon CST. Adam Dees is a practicing Kansas Elder Law attorney and will be sharing on this topic including: how to protect your spouse and family, health information and how to choose decision makers, and Medicaid essentials. He also authored a booklet, “The Consumer’s Guide to Supplemental Needs Planning” focused on helping people with families who have special needs plan for their care, and also educates people through seminars like “Estate Planning Secrets,” “Don’t Lose the Farm: How to pay for Long-Term care without going broke,” and “Doing Dementia Differently.” Registration is required at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ui5GgEWSTqemPu5uALZb2Q#/registration

Pruning Workshop March 1^st: Many gardeners have questions at this time of year about spring pruning…

• Will early pruning cause fruit tree leaf and flower buds to develop earlier and possibly be damaged by normal spring frosts?  
• Should pruning still be done in March and early April or should it be done earlier if conditions have been warm? 
• What about shade trees? Should any adjustments in the time of pruning be made in response to warm conditions? 

Join Sarah Browning Saturday, March 1, for the NRD’s annual Spring Gardening Workshop. The topic will be Mastering the Basics of Pruning. The free class will be held at the 4-H building at the York County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to noon. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration to 402-362-6601 is helpful for printing materials.

Also, our last Friday February conversation is this Friday, Feb. 28 from 10-Noon at the 4-H Bldg in York on Annual Forage Systems. Come hear from farmers making this work! Please RSVP to 402-362-5508.