How to Create a Farm Transition Plan July 2, 2021 It’s important to have a farm transition plan in place. To prepare for the unexpected, and as you consider hanging up the boots and retiring. If you’re getting ready to retire or looking to, consider these steps when getting started on a farm transition plan. Step 1: Consider Getting Life Insurance Even if you don’t believe an extensive farm transition plan is necessary, consider purchasing life insurance. According to the 2020 Insurance Barometer study, 40% of people that have life insurance wish they had purchased it earlier in life. Life insurance can help your family in the event of the unexpected. It leaves them more equipped to take care of themselves without you providing for them. Step 2: Define Specific Goals for Your Transition Plan Start discussions on how to transition assets and property over to the next generation. Remember, it’s critical to take some time to evaluate all assets and sources of income and to establish goals. To help, think about some of these questions: What do my loved ones need to live if I’m not there to support them? (Consider using OKFB’s life insurance calculator to help determine the appropriate amount.) What passive income sources (rental properties or machinery, cell towers, etc.) do I have that I need to keep to sustain my family through retirement? What stipulations or requirements do I have for the new manager of my property and assets? With these questions in mind, you can start to establish some goals for transitioning over these important assets. Step 3: Define Your Successor(s) in Your Farm Transition Plan One of the most difficult topics to discuss is who will take over your farm or ranch and become the owner. Choosing the right person to take over the farm or ranch, finances and additional assets is a momentous task, but a critical one. There are many approaches that farmers and ranchers take when deciding who their successor will be and how to divide up assets. With multiple heirs, one approach is to split everything evenly between them. Another approach is determining what is fair and best for your farm or ranch. When considering the division of multiple types of assets i.e., finances, income, the management of property and livestock, etc. — take some time to drop them into a will or other legal document that specifically outlines the details. Step 4: Strategically Assemble Your Farm Transition Plan Now that goals have been established, along with who is taking over the finances, responsibilities and the assets, it’s time to start thinking strategically about how to transition these assets. There are many ways, but the two most common are giving the assets as gifts or transferring them through a will. With either approach, think about consulting with legal, tax and insurance professionals. Whether transferring assets through a will, by gifting, or through some other means, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Planning to transition your life’s work can feel like a daunting task. At Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance, our agents are here to help you navigate all the intricacies. Consult with your local OKFB Insurance Agent to help you create a farm transition plan.
Farm Safety Tips May 8, 2019 You know operating a farm or a ranch can be a risky occupation. And, when it comes to protecting your life’s work, your loved ones and yourself, you also know safety should be a top priority. One of the key ways to help keep those risks at bay is through preventative safety measures. We hope you will keep these farm and ranch safety tips in mind all year long. Tractor Safety Knowing how to operate tractors safely is important. It is one of the most heavily used pieces of equipment on a farm or ranch. Remember when operating a tractor, securely fasten your seat belt, limit one rider per seat, avoid ditches and steep embankments, and reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes and on questionable surfaces. Travel Safety At some point, you’ll likely have to drive a tractor or other farm machinery on public roadways. When this time comes, make sure you are prepared to travel down the road safely. A few things you can do are, display your slow moving vehicle sign on your machine, ensure reflective tape is showing, set your lights to flash as hazards and practice heightened awareness of the vehicles behind, beside or in front of you. Clothing Safety You should always wear the appropriate clothing and safety gear for each job. If using chemicals, consider proper gloves, respirators and protective clothing. If you are working with large farm equipment, consider hearing protection, eye protection and steel-toed shoes. Keep Kids Safe Take time to talk with your children about the dangers of farm equipment. Additionally, share safety rules and procedures with them. You should also take proactive steps to limit any ways a child could get to this equipment, such as locking barns, putting up ladders, removing the keys, etc. Finally, make sure you always know where children are before taking out machinery. How OKFB Can Help Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Safety Services Division offers free programs focused on teaching farm safety, fire safety and a number of other topics. Learn more about these programs, or request one for your community by visiting OKFB’s Safety Services Division.
