Farm and ranch succession planning is emerging as a critical need for North Dakota producers. The average age of a farmer/rancher is 57, so many are looking toward retirement and transitioning their business.

To help, the NDSU Extension Service is offering "Design Your Succession Plan" workshops at a number of sites across the state. The program is designed to assist farm and ranch families get started on their succession plan and will help them shape the future ownership of their business.

During the workshops, participants will:

• Get started on a succession plan using a workbook
• Open lines of communication in the family to create a shared vision for the family business extending into the next generation
• Work with professionals to construct a plan and documents that put the family's vision into action

The program was offered for the first time last year.

"The response from the participants was very positive," says Joel Lemer, an NDSU Extension agent in Foster County. "We received many compliments on the program materials, including the workbook that each participant receives to help in gathering the information needed for the succession plan."

Extended families are encouraged to attend the program together to discover what is involved in creating a succession plan that will work for their family farm or ranch. A successful transition takes many family conversations and a considerable amount of time.

"One of the topics covered in the program is how to start a family conversation about succession planning," says Donna Anderson, an NDSU Extension agent in Foster County. "We use case studies and activities to generate discussion around the issues families deal with in succession planning."

The locations, dates, start times and contacts for the workshops are:

• Grand Forks - Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3 at 5 p.m., Willie Huot, 701-780-8229 or willie.huot@ndsu.edu
• Minot - Jan. 20 and 22 at 6 p.m., Paige Brummund, 701-857-6444 or paige.f.brummund@ndsu.edu
• Beach - Jan. 28 at 9 a.m., Ashley Ueckert, 701-872-4332 or ashley.ueckert@ndsu.edu
• Ashley - Feb. 2 and 9 at 6 p.m., Crystal Schaunaman, 701-288-3465 or crystal.schaunaman@ndsu.edu
• Enderlin -- Feb. 5 and 12 at 6 p.m., Brian Zimprich, 701-683-6128 or ndsu.ransom.extension@ndsu.edu
• Oakes: March 11 and 18 at 5 p.m., Breana Kiser, 701-349-3249 or breana.s.kiser.3@ndsu.edu
• Lakota - March 17, 24 and 31 at 6 p.m., Katelyn Hain, 701-247-2521 or katelyn.hain@ndsu.edu
• Forman - March 23 and 30 at 5:30 p.m. Melissa Blawat, 701-724-3355 or melissa.blawat@ndsu.edu

The registration fee is $125 if your envelope is postmarked a week or more before the program and $150 if registering within a week of the program. The fee for a spouse is $25. To register, contact the Extension agent listed for the location where you want to attend. More information and a registration form is available at www.ag.ndsu.edu/money/succession-planning.

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