Published on AgProud.ca
By John Markus, January 2nd, 2025
It is more crucial than ever for family-owned operations to prioritize succession planning with a long-term vision.
As a farmer with over 56 years of experience, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and potential pitfalls of succession planning for family-owned agricultural operations. While the process is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation, it is often loaded with emotional complexities and the risk of family feuds if not approached with care and foresight.
While this approach may seem unconventional, it has proven invaluable in our family’s experience. By maintaining a clear separation between the family and the business, with each entity operating independently yet collaboratively, we have avoided many of the pitfalls that often plague succession planning efforts.
This principle, though initially met with resistance from professionals, has become the benchmark for how our extended family of nine different farming operations conducts business together harmoniously.
In an era where corporate farms are increasingly prevalent and often “blowing up” due to short-sighted decision-making, it is more crucial than ever for family-owned operations to prioritize succession planning with a long-term vision. By holding open communication, embracing individual ownership and encouraging entrepreneurship, we can by the grace of God hope for a prosperous future for agriculture while preserving the values and legacy of our family farms.
John Markus, Farmer, Ontario
John Markus is a farmer in Ontario, Canada. He has experience with beef, hog and dairy farming, as well as crop production and custom work.
