Learn About Health Care Planning for Both Incoming and Retiring Farmers at November Workshops

The Workshops Will Have Sessions on Health Care Planning for the Transition Process Transitioning a farm to the next generation is more than a transfer of land and assets — it’s a shift in lifestyle, responsibilities, and personal needs. Among the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of this transition is health care planning. Both…

Learn How to Navigate Farm Transition at Upcoming Workshops

The Interactive Workshops Will Have Sessions on Family Dynamics and Financial Considerations How can families begin the farm transition process when so many of us find our identity in our careers? Are there younger people who hope to continue the farm? Are you having honest conversations? Is there a plan in place? Dairy farm families…

Lebanon County Dairy Farmer Describes How He Kept the Farm Going Without a Next Generation in Line

What does transition planning look like when you don’t have a next generation who wants to take over the farm? For Jay Weaver, a third-generation dairy farmer from Weaverline Holsteins in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, it involved working closely with a business consultant to evaluate his cash flow and retirement options. “My children are all off…

Keeping a Family Business Profitable: PA Dairy Farmer Shares How They’ve Kept Overhead Costs Low and Navigated Partnership Agreements

Originally published in Hoard’s Dairyman Chad Hoover sometimes farms with four generations working together at a time. As a sixth-generation dairy farmer at Thousand Hill Dairy, LLC in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Chad realizes how fortunate he is to have a business and lifestyle that are rooted in family. His grandfather, father, and uncle are all…

Dairy Farm Families Invited to “Passing the Torch” Transition Planning Workshops on November 18 and 20

The Interactive Workshops 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 one of two “Passing the Torch” Transition Planning Workshops being held on…

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…

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….

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,…

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…

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…