Passing the Torch: How Farm Link and Succession Planning Programs Keep Farmland Farming

America is on the verge of a massive generational transition in agriculture. According to the USDA, nearly two-thirds of U.S. farmland is expected to change hands in the next two decades. With aging farmers retiring and fewer young people stepping into their boots, the future of farming—and the land it depends on—is at a crossroads.

That’s where Farm Link programs and succession planning initiatives come into play. These tools help ensure that when today’s farmers step back, a new generation is ready—and able—to carry the land forward.

The Problem: Farmland in Transition

As farmers age, many face a dilemma:

“What will happen to my land when I’m gone?”

Without a clear plan, farms may be:

• Sold to developers
  
  

• Split up among heirs
  
  

• Lost to non-farming uses
  
  

• Taken out of production altogether
  
  

Simultaneously, beginning farmers struggle to access affordable farmland, especially near urban areas. They often lack capital, connections, and knowledge of available land.

What Is a Farm Link Program?

Farm Link programs act as a matchmaker between:

• Landowners (often retiring farmers)
  
  

• Land seekers (typically beginning or underserved farmers)
  
  

These programs:

• Maintain databases of land for lease, sale, or transfer
  
  

• Help landowners and seekers create profiles to share their goals
  
  

• Facilitate communication and matchmaking
  
  

• Sometimes provide legal, financial, or mentorship support
  
  

They aim to preserve farmland, keep it in production, and support viable transitions—not just land transactions.

How Farm Link Works (Step-by-Step)

1. A retiring farmer creates a listing with information about their land, operation, timeline, and what kind of successor they’re looking for.
   
   

2. A land seeker (often a new farmer) registers their experience, interests, and location preferences.
   
   

3. The program helps them connect, communicate, and explore possible arrangements:
   
   

• Lease-to-own agreements
  
  

• Partnerships or internships
  
  

• Outright sale or inheritance
  
  

4. Some programs offer support services, such as:
   
   

• Sample lease templates
  
  

• Legal advice or referrals
  
  

• Business plan assistance
  
  

What Is Succession Planning?

Farm succession planning is the process of transferring farm ownership, management, and decision-making from one generation to the next.

It’s not just about legal paperwork—it’s about:

• Clarifying goals
  
  

• Communicating with family members
  
  

• Planning for financial security
  
  

• Minimizing taxes and legal risks
  
  

• Preserving the operation’s long-term viability
  
  

Succession planning takes time—often 3–10 years or more—and should involve legal, tax, and estate professionals.

What Do Succession Planning Programs Offer?

These programs, often hosted by:

• • Land-grant universities
    
    

  • Cooperative extensions
    
    

  • Land trusts
    
    

  • Nonprofits like American Farmland Trust

...typically provide:

• Workshops and webinars
  
  

• One-on-one consulting
  
  

• Tools and guides on wills, trusts, LLCs, buy-sell agreements
  
  

• Family meeting facilitation
  
  

• Retirement and legacy planning
  
  

Some also offer transition coaching, helping families navigate the emotional and interpersonal aspects of letting go and taking over.

Farm Link + Succession Planning = Farmland Retention

These two tools complement each other perfectly:

Together, they help solve both sides of the land transition equation—and keep land out of the hands of non-farm developers.

Examples of Farm Link and Succession Programs

California FarmLink

Provides land linking, financing, and legal services for farmers in California.

Maine Farmland Trust's FarmLink Program

Connects landowners and seekers, with added support for conservation easements and affordable access.

NY FarmNet

Helps New York farm families with business, financial, and succession planning, plus counseling services.

Land for Good (New England)

A regional leader in land access and farm succession planning. Offers coaching, courses, and legal templates.

Why These Programs Matter

• Farmland retention: Prevents land from being sold to developers or lost to fragmentation.
  
• Next-gen farmer support: Lowers barriers to entry for new and socially disadvantaged farmers.
  
• Rural economic vitality: Keeps farms operating and communities thriving.
• Equity and inclusion: Creates opportunities for those historically excluded from land ownership.

What You Can Do

If You’re a Landowner:

• Start your succession plan early—even if you’re not ready to retire.
  
  

• Explore Farm Link programs if you don’t have a family successor.
  
  

• Consider conservation easements to preserve your land’s legacy.
  
  

If You’re a Land Seeker:

• Join a Farm Link database in your state.
  
  

• Build a strong resume and business plan.
  
  

• Look for mentorship and financing resources.
  
  

If You’re a Policy Advocate or Supporter:

• Fund farmland transition and access programs.
  
  

• Support legal services and mediation for farm families.
  
  

• Promote policies that encourage intergenerational land transfer.
  
  

Conclusion: Preparing for the Future, Today

Farmland protection doesn’t just mean saving land from bulldozers—it also means helping the right people get onto it, and stay on it. Farm Link and succession planning programs play a crucial role in bridging the gap between retiring farmers and the next generation.

These aren’t just technical solutions. They’re about relationships, trust, and legacy. By supporting them, we help ensure that farmland—and farming—remains a living tradition, not a relic of the past.

Want to explore a Farm Link program in your area? Visit  National Farm Transition Network to find regional listings and resources.