Members have continued to highlight succession planning as one of the top three issues facing their farming enterprise during the next three years.

Succession planning can be a highly emotional subject and some family members will do anything to avoid having ‘that conversation’. But we can all relate to a family, or an enterprise, which has gone through the drama of succession without a plan and it is something to avoid.

It may surprise some to learn that banks are now giving serious consideration to those farming families who have implemented a succession plan into the business. Some banks have gone as far as to drop percentage points from loans to reward those who have been through the process.

To get started with a succession plan, I’d encourage members to consider attending a KGITraining Your family, Your farm, Your future workshop. The workshops are an introduction into succession planning, arming attendees with the tools they need to go forth and succeed with their plan.

Communication is one of those tools, and the workshops provide attendees with an understanding into how different family members communicate and how best to approach particular subjects.

Your family, Your farm, Your future workshops begin this February in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, with more planned for New South Wales and Victoria in coming months.

Dates
St George, Qld      February 3, 2010
Esperance, WA     February 9, 2010
Waikerie, SA         February 17, 2010
Mannum, SA          February 18, 2010
Adelaide, SA         February 19, 2010

Incentive to attend through government grants

Members can now attend the Your family, Your farm, Your future workshops under the FarmReady grant programme. Members can apply for the grant prior to the workshop, and upon successful submission, will have the full workshop fee and some associated costs reimbursed by FarmReady.

Members will also receive a free month of membership when they attend a workshop.

This is a great way to get a succession plan started and ensure all the bases are covered. To register your interest in a workshop, please contact the KGITraining team on 1800 677 761.