NACAA

TRACKING THE PROGRESS OF OHIO FARM FAMILIES AS THEY PLAN FOR THE TRANSITION OF THEIR FAMILY BUSINESS

Marrison, D.L.¹; Breece, D.²; Bruynis, C.³; Gastier, M.⁴; McCutcheon, J.⁵; Ward, B.⁶; Woodruff, J.⁷; Zoller, C.^8
1Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Jefferson, OH, 44047
²OSU Extension, Associate Leader, ANR, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
³Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Upper Sandusky, OH, 43351
⁴Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Norwalk, OH, 44857
⁵Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Mt Gilead, OH, 43338
⁶Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
⁷Extension Educator, The Ohio State University, Sandusky, OH, 44870
⁸Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663

Abstract:

In 2007, OSU Extension professionals developed and conducted the “Building for the Successful Transition of your Family Business” workshops. These workshops provided 105 participants with the skills needed to develop a farm transfer plan and to increase family communication. This research poster summarizes the team’s post program evaluation of the workshops as well as the six month follow-up survey to determine the transition planning progress and future needs of the clientele. Seventy-eight families responded to the post-program survey and 53 responded (50.5%) to the six month survey. The results of the post program survey and the six month follow-up survey showed the workshops were successful as many positive comments were written by the participants and good mean gains in knowledge gain were achieved. The six month survey indicated the participants made great strides in putting into action the tools they learned during the workshops. Eighty-five percent (85.1%) have had discussions with their family about business transition, 84.8% have improved their communication, and 76.6% have started an estate plan. In addition, 54.2% of the participants held an intergenerational family meeting, 35.4% reported meeting with their attorney, and 33.3% met with their accountant to develop a transition plan. OSU Extension has continued to offer transition planning workshops across Ohio as a result of the surveys. Additional Extension factsheets and curriculum have been authored by the teaching team. Additional strategies for following up with the program participants are also being explored by the team.