Purdue Workshop to Tackle Issues Faced by Family Farms

A Purdue University workshop can help farmers who are part of a family business explore crucial management and relationship issues that families need to address for future successes.

The Center for Commercial Agriculture will offer “Farming into the Next Generation” Feb. 12-13.

Brent Gloy, the center’s director, said the two-day workshop is intended for farmers who are working together with other family members and for those who want to add more family members to the business.

“Running a family farming business together can be a challenging process for both the younger and older generations,” Gloy said. “This workshop will help families build stronger management teams and family relationships, and help them identify techniques and planning processes that can resolve conflict and position the farm business for success for another generation.”

Program instructors are Bernie Erven, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Ohio State University, and Bob Milligan, senior consultant at Dairy Strategies LLC and professor emeritus at Cornell University.

“Our instructors are the two leading experts in the country on this topic and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the workshop,” Gloy said. “Participants will leave better prepared to successfully farm into the next generation.”

The dynamics in a family business are different than those at a corporation because co-workers are also family members, a situation that can strain relationships. The workshop will help attendees improve their communication and conflict-resolution skills.

The workshop will be divided into four sections: the family business, relationship challenges in family businesses, farm family case studies and summary messages.

Participants who register before Jan. 1 get the discounted rate of $1,000. After that deadline, the fee is $1,150.

Register online and for more information, contact Aissa Good, senior project manager at the center, at aissa@purdue.edu or 765-496-3884.

Source: Purdue Ag Communications

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