by Tracy Turner, Ohio State University

As the country’s farming population ages, the most vital upcoming harvest for many families might not be corn, soybeans or cattle — it might be the successful transfer of the farm or ranch to the next generation.

According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, the average age of U.S. farm producers has risen to 58.1 years, up 0.6 years since 2017. Ohio’s median operator age was 55.8 years in 2017 and has continued to climb to 56.3 in 2022, underscoring a pressing need for farm succession planning.

Without it, experts warn, the state risks losing not just family legacies, but the farmland and economic productivity that sustain rural communities.

“At the heart of succession planning is trust and clear communication,” says David Marrison, Ohio State University Extension field specialist in farm management. “We guide families through establishing a shared vision, building next-generation leadership, and avoiding surprises that can derail the process.” OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

CFAES is taking this challenge head-on at this year’s Farm Science Review (FSR), dedicating multiple sessions to helping farm families navigate the complex legal, financial and emotional aspects of passing on the farm.

The 63rd FSR, hosted by CFAES, is Sept. 16-18 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center. It features more than 4,000 product lines and more than 180 educational sessions led by CFAES researchers and OSU Extension experts.

Programs such as “Stepping Up or Stepping Aside: Readiness for Farm Succession” and “Using Incentive Trusts in Farm Succession: Cultivating Good Decisions” will offer actionable, step-by-step strategies from CFAES experts. Both sessions will be Sept. 18 from 10-10:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., respectively, at the Ask the Expert stage at FSR.

“It’s more than legal tools; it’s about preparing families emotionally, too,” says Peggy Hall, CFAES ag law specialist. “We talk honestly about tough conversations: roles, responsibilities, expectations. Without those discussions, the best legal plan can still fail.”

If farms are transferred without clear planning, land can become fragmented or converted to nonfarm uses — outcomes that can erode the state’s agricultural capacity, reduce economic output and weaken Ohio’s food system.

To help prevent that, CFAES and OSU Extension offer year-round workshops, one-on-one consultations and online resources, including the FARMS (Farm Asset and Resource Management Spreadsheet) tool, designed to help farm families structure successful transitions.

“Succession isn’t a single event; it’s a journey,” Marrison says. “The earlier families start, the more likely they’ll preserve what matters most.”