Discussing your farm's future with your family is the most critical step in creating an effective succession plan.  The resources below describe strategies for maintaining open lines of communication with family members throughout the farm transfer process.

Web Resources

Improving Business Communication Skills by Don Hofstrand, Iowa State University.  This article covers communication strategies for individuals sharing ownership or decision-making in a business.

"Who Will Get Grandpa's Farm?  Communicating about Farm Transfer" by Dr. Sharon DeVaney, Purdue University School of Consumer and Family Sciences, Indiana.  This is a website featuring different streamed video of different communication strategies role played by an Indiana farm family.

Empathic Approach:  Listening First Aid (University of California).  This website contains links to an hourlong seminar on empathic listening skills.  The site also allows you to download a free book entitled "Helping Others Resolve Differences"

Related Articles

Farm Family Decision Making (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

Negotiation Strategies (Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)