Transition Planning | Center for Dairy Excellence

February 27, 2024

Lancaster County Dairy Producer Talks About Transition, Herd Health, and Treating Each Animal, Field and Employee as an Individual

Justin Risser Was Interviewed in the “Cow-Side Conversations” Podcast In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast, Justin Risser of Meadow Vista Dairy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania shares how his team manages the dairy operation with an individualized approach – from caring for their crops and their cows to making…

December 20, 2023

Lebanon County Dairy Producer Takes Proactive Approach to Transitioning Farm to Son

At Homestead Acres in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Curtis Zimmerman and his wife manage the dairy operation and milk 120 cows alongside their son. While Curtis is only 49, he decided to take a proactive approach with succession planning and giving his son the opportunity to take over the dairy business. The Zimmermans worked with Dr….

September 20, 2023

Lancaster County Family Shares How Team Approach Leads to Actionable Dairy Business Decisions

For Chad Fox and his brother, Corey, of Fox Meadows Farm LLC in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, outside perspectives have been key to their family’s transition in ownership and year-to-year decision making. With 85 cows and about 180 acres, Fox Meadows Farm is a true family business. Chad and Corey are 50/50 partners, and their dad,…

August 28, 2023

Dairy Farm Families Invited to “Passing the Torch” Transition Planning Workshop on Nov. 20

The Interactive Workshop Will Feature Family Roundtable Discussions with Outside Advisors It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about “passing the torch” and finding someone in line to transition ownership of your dairy business. Dairy farm families are invited to the “Passing the Torch” Interactive Transition Planning Workshop on November 20 from…

July 31, 2023

Lancaster County Dairy Farm Family Prioritizes Transition Planning With Outside Consultants

Kerry Zeiset, a dairy producer from Lancaster County, had an active role on his family’s 72-cow dairy farm and a strong interest in continuing to farm with his family in the future. Like many dairy farm families, he just wasn’t sure how to take the next steps into ownership with his parents. When his mom…

November 21, 2022

Business Consultants Available to Help Dairy Farm Families Achieve Their Goals

The Center Offers One-on-One Consulting Support at No Charge to Dairy Farm Families To help Pennsylvania dairy farm families with transition planning, business management consulting, and risk management planning, the Center for Dairy Excellence has several consultants and employees available to work with Pennsylvania dairy farm families. Dr. Brian Reed and Dr. Charlie Gardner both…

October 11, 2022

Panelists Announced for ‘Own Your Future’ Forum on November 10

Dairy Farm Families Are Invited to Learn About Succession Planning for All Ages To help dairy farm families begin tackling the process of succession planning and ownership transition, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) and the Center for Dairy Excellence will be hosting a Fall Forum titled “Own Your Future” on Thursday, November 10…

August 29, 2022

Berks County Dairy Producer Shares Perspective on Transition Planning, Robotic Milking Technology and More in New Podcast Episode

Jared Kurtz Was Interviewed in the New Episode of “Cow-Side Conversations” In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast, Jared Kurtz, a fourth-generation dairy producer from Kurtland Farms in southern Berks County, Pennsylvania, shared what the transition planning process was like for his family—a process that took nearly five years…

August 11, 2022

Save the Date for ‘Own Your Future’ Workshop on November 10

July 11, 2022

Center for Dairy Excellence Taps Reed to Aid in Farm Transition, Transformation

Dr. Brian Reed Has Extensive Experience Working With Dairy Farm Families To help Pennsylvania dairy farm families with transition planning and business management consulting, the Center for Dairy Excellence has tapped Dr. Brian Reed to serve as a consultant in working with Pennsylvania dairy farms. Dr. Reed joins Dr. Charlie Gardner to serve as consultants…