Keeping Farmers Farming Farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across the nation are about to face the largest transition of wealth in history. Over the next two decades, an estimated $24 trillion in farmland and agricultural assets will change hands, according to National Land Realty. This presents both opportunities and challenges for current landowners, beginning farmers and ranchers, and investors. For many of today's farm and ranch families, their only experience with wealth transition is what happened when parents passed along the family farm or ranch to them. Today, tax laws, business structures, and government policies make the process more complex. That's where a program like Keep Farmers Farming (KFF) can help. Through the KFF program, a trained legacy consultant can help farm families navigate times of transition as they address financial, family, and social issues. The program can help guide families as they decide how and when to transfer not just assets, but also the legacy and vision they have spent a lifetime developing. KOTA FOUNDATIO Alan Hojer, legacy consultant with the Keep Farmers Farming program, has been involved with KFF for the past eleven years. He notes that transition planning is a search for peace. "That search for peace is what each ranch and farm family is really looking for," he said. The Keep Farmers Farming program was developed by staff with First Dakota National Bank. Over its history, the program has served 384 operations, with over $2.8 billion worth of assets. In January, program management was transferred to the South Dakota Agricultural Foundation, with support from the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Kyle Holt, executive director of the Ag Foundation, notes, "A primary focus of the Ag Foundation is to support the next generation of ag producers. We're happy to provide assistance during the critical transition time." For more information, please visit the SD Ag Foundation website at sdagfoundation.org Keeping Farmers Farming Farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across the nation are about to face the largest transition of wealth in history . Over the next two decades , an estimated $ 24 trillion in farmland and agricultural assets will change hands , according to National Land Realty . This presents both opportunities and challenges for current landowners , beginning farmers and ranchers , and investors . For many of today's farm and ranch families , their only experience with wealth transition is what happened when parents passed along the family farm or ranch to them . Today , tax laws , business structures , and government policies make the process more complex . That's where a program like Keep Farmers Farming ( KFF ) can help . Through the KFF program , a trained legacy consultant can help farm families navigate times of transition as they address financial , family , and social issues . The program can help guide families as they decide how and when to transfer not just assets , but also the legacy and vision they have spent a lifetime developing . KOTA FOUNDATIO Alan Hojer , legacy consultant with the Keep Farmers Farming program , has been involved with KFF for the past eleven years . He notes that transition planning is a search for peace . " That search for peace is what each ranch and farm family is really looking for , " he said . The Keep Farmers Farming program was developed by staff with First Dakota National Bank . Over its history , the program has served 384 operations , with over $ 2.8 billion worth of assets . In January , program management was transferred to the South Dakota Agricultural Foundation , with support from the Governor's Office of Economic Development . Kyle Holt , executive director of the Ag Foundation , notes , " A primary focus of the Ag Foundation is to support the next generation of ag producers . We're happy to provide assistance during the critical transition time . " For more information , please visit the SD Ag Foundation website at sdagfoundation.org