Inside The Ag Center’s Estate Planning & Business Development Roundtable

When it comes to running a multi-generation farm, growers are experts in planning ahead — except when it comes to the one topic that matters most: what happens to the operation when leadership changes hands.

This month, The Ag Center recently brought together a panel of highly respected experts for a comprehensive Estate Planning & Business Development Roundtable, moderated by Sean Haynes. The discussion featured insights from Matthew Hoffman (Baker Manock & Jensen), Michael Cohen (Agribusiness Succession Advisors), Andrew Curiel and Edward Macha (Decorum Wealth Management), Tim Kohl (Nationwide Retirement Institute), and Maxwell Norton (California Farmland Trust). Together, they delivered a deep and practical look at the legal, financial, generational, and land-preservation strategies essential for protecting multi-generation farming operations.

The full video of the roundtable is available at the end of this article for those who want to revisit the conversation or share it with their families.

Why Planning Ahead Matters More Than Ever

Between rising land values, regulatory pressures, skyrocketing taxes, and shifting family dynamics, the future of California farming is becoming more complex by the year. One misstep — or worse, no plan at all — can put decades of hard work, investment, and heritage at risk.

During the roundtable, experts emphasized a crucial truth:

Most failed farm transitions don’t fall apart because of taxes or finances — they fail because families don’t talk about the plan.
Studies show about 60% of unsuccessful family business transfers are caused by a breakdown in trust and communication.

That message set the tone for the entire conversation.

The New Realities of Farm Succession

Panelists broke down the modern farm transition into tangible, manageable components — from legal structures and retirement income to family governance and land preservation.

Key takeaways included:

Communication First, Paperwork Second

A formal plan means nothing if the family isn’t aligned. Addressing expectations, future roles, and leadership transitions early prevents conflict later.

Legacy Requires More Than a Will

True estate planning today includes succession strategy, financial independence planning for retiring owners, asset protection, and tax-efficient wealth transfer.

A Roadmap for the Next Generation Is Critical

Heirs should understand what will be expected of them — whether continuing operations, managing finances, or stewarding land responsibly.

Retirement Strategy Is Part of the Transition

Farm owners need an independent, reliable income plan so the next generation can grow without being financially strained by outgoing leadership.

Farmland Must Be Protected to Stay Farmland

Conservation tools, easements, and long-term land-use strategies can ensure agricultural land stays productive and protected from development pressure.

What Growers Are Getting Wrong — and How to Fix It

Across the panel, one theme resurfaced:
Most families wait too long to start the conversation.

Experts urged growers to address issues such as:

• Who will take over management?
• How will non-farming heirs be treated fairly?
• What happens if a key family member becomes unable to work?
• How can taxes and legal complications be minimized?
• How do we preserve land without compromising liquidity?

The roundtable offered practical steps to begin tackling these challenges now — not five, ten, or twenty years from now.

A Unified Message to Growers: Don’t Wait

Each panelist brought a unique specialty — from legal frameworks to financial planning to farmland preservation — but the message was universal: “Planning is protection. And the most dangerous plan is no plan at all.”

Growers were encouraged to involve family members early, work with qualified advisors, and revisit their plans regularly as their operation evolves

Watch the Full Panel Discussion

Want to dive deeper? The full recorded roundtable is available below.

This conversation may be the spark your family needs to finally start planning for the future — and protecting the legacy your operation has built for generations.