Chances are, if you’re a farmer, it’s because your dad and grandpa were both farmers. It’s also likely you may have inherited your farm from them—and you may be looking ahead to passing the family farm along to your children or grandchildren. When it comes to putting together a farm succession together, it’s best to set up a meeting with a professional mediator.
That’s where the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program can help.
Michigan Ag Today’s C.J. Miller chats with Dr. Cathy Anthofer, who serves as the Executive Director of Mediation Services servicing Allegan, Berry, and Ottawa Counties in west Michigan.
She shares her personal story about the challenges her family faces when her uncle died in an accident many years ago, and how the lack of a contractual succession plan created problems for her family while they were still grieving the loss of her uncle.
The Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program—through the Michigan Community Mediation Association—provides FREE counseling and services to farmers who are looking to prepare succession plans, as well additional legal disputes including:
- Agricultural loans
- Agricultural credit
- Wetland determinations
- Compliance with farm programs, including conservation programs
- Crop insurance
- Pesticides
- Rural development loans
- Organic certification
- Leases
- Family farm transitions
- Farmer-neighbor disputes
- Other agriculture-related topics deemed appropriate by USDA or the state department of agriculture
CLICK HERE to request an Agricultural Mediation through the Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program.
For more information, visit MichiganMediates.org.
CLICK BELOW to hear Michigan Ag Today’s full conversation with Dr. Cathy Anthofer: