Real Families. Real Farms. Real Conversations.

The stories behind the acres , and the legacies we help protect.

Succession planning isn’t just paperwork. It’s Thanksgiving dinner without tension. It’s a father trusting his daughter with the family legacy. It’s boots on the ground, hard questions asked, and futures clarified. Below are the voices of the families we’ve walked alongside — their challenges, their breakthroughs, and their decisions to build something that lasts.

When you mix succession planning and farms, the concept of "fair vs equal" goes to another level, a level that many farmers have not even thought about or considered.

–Brad S

Succession planning needs to be approached from the perspective of planting a tree - the shade of which you will never sit under.

–Mike W

Always has amazed me on the farmers that are too stubborn to come up with a succession plan. They die and of course they didn't and the entire farm turns into an uncontrollable squabble, battled out in lawsuits.  Money has a way to change everything.

–Todd M

Daughters are the #1 provider of "care" in this country.  So you want to give the farm to your son who stuck around to farm but your daughter who gave up 3 yrs of her life potentially wiping your rear end nothing?  How do you think that is going to go over?

–Shawn B

If you don't come up with a succession plan, expect the first Thanksgiving dinner after you are gone to turn into pass the f***ing potatoes please.  If the family even gets together for Thanksgiving anymore.

–Rich L

We like you guys, you are the first to show up in trucks, wearing boots, not suits, without cuff links or expensive watches.

–Tom A

We fought the concept of succession planning for so long - procrastinated. We finalized 10 yrs ago and cannot believe we even considered not doing something.  It is amazing the work that my son in law can do.  Crossing your Ts and dotting your Is is an absolute must to ensure family and farm prosperity.

–Dave and Deb V

What it’s like working with us

We’re process-oriented, not outcome-fixated.

Family farm succession isn’t a puzzle to solve, it’s a mystery to embrace. One that unfolds over time, reveals hard truths, and invites every generation into the work of stewardship. At Next Acre, we guide families through a proven, five-phase transition process that honors the past, engages the present, and prepares for the future.

  • Before we can plan for tomorrow, we need to know exactly where we stand today. This stage is about honoring your legacy and establishing a clear starting point. We’ll complete a thorough valuation, not just the land but the equipment, livestock, buildings, and everything that makes your farm run. This means factoring in current market conditions and future trends. Off-farm heirs might look at the dirt and think “Florida beach house.” They may look at the equipment that runs the farm and think “boat and jet skis.” To you, your farm is priceless. To others, it may be seen as a dollar figure, and in today’s world, that number can be significant. Knowing the true value gives us the foundation to protect it for the next generation.

  • Succession planning can feel like herding cats, and we’re not talking about spraying your relatives with any chemicals. We gather perspectives from every heir, on-farm and off-farm, because we represent the entire family, not just one side. We’ll identify needs versus wants, clarify priorities, and make sure everyone is heard. The goal is simple: to get the whole family moving in the same direction with a clear understanding of what is most important.

  • With everyone’s input in hand, we nurture ideas and begin shaping them into a workable plan, much like tending crops so they reach their full potential. We’ll talk about it all and work to cultivate those ideas into a solid plan that takes everyone’s needs into account. The seeds of your succession plan are planted here, and they are ready to grow.

  • This is where plans take root and turn into action. We move beyond traditional succession practices toward strategies that are impactful, sustainable, and tailored to your family. Here, we compile every detail into a written plan. This is also the stage where attorneys and legal teams step in, but because you have already worked through the first three stages, you will avoid spending large sums on “overlawyering.” Have an attorney you already work with? Great, we will help direct those conversations. Need a second set of eyes or a fresh legal perspective? We can open up those discussions too.

  • 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us:
    God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

    Think of this stage as the annual family meeting, the ongoing monitoring of your transfarmation. Has anything changed over time? New heirs born, someone passing away, a retirement happening earlier than expected, a divorce? Life happens, and we will address it as it comes.

    The bulk of the work is done, but tweaks and adjustments are easy and expected. We will not let your transfarmation plan sit on the shelf long enough to collect dust and become worthless.