A recent workshop on Family Farm Transition and the Multi-Generation Family attracted a lot of attention.

Events were held last week in Kindersley, Humboldt and Tisdale.


Patti Durand an agriculture specialist for the North District of Saskatchewan with Scotiabank says you never know when your last day on the farm will be.

That being said, she says it’s important to communicate your plans and other key farm information to others.

"Everything from labelling switches, all the way through to where the wells are located, all the way to who do you call when you need to pump out the septic tank. There are things all over the map that really impact people's ability to live and function, and farms have so many moving parts. I really want to encourage farms to at least start the conversation in getting that information passed along."

She says you never know when your last day on the farm may be, so it’s important that people know how to carry on if something should happen to you.

"People have intentions, they have dreams, they have wishes. They don't necessarily talk to the other generation, whether it's the younger generation or the older generation, they don't necessarily share what those dreams are. If that isn't communicated and wills are set up to achieve that particular vision, it can really hamper things and actually put the business in a position where it won't be able to continue. You really want to set them up

She says start with the easy things labelling switches in the electrical panel or keys for the various implements, or noting who and what services you generally hire out. Then move into conversations around where the wills and insurance policies are or what you want the farm legacy to look like.