Farming families and succession : sort out the soft stuff

Abstract

Family farming operations form the basis of New Zealand’s rural sector. The continued success of the New Zealand economy is reliant on a productive and vibrant rural sector. Effective farm succession has a considerable part to play in continuing this vibrancy. Family Farm Succession is “the process of transitioning the management and ownership of the farming business to the following generation” (Walsh, 2011). It is a process that involves people, their land and business. Within this research I focus on the ‘people’ or interpersonal factors of the succession process. The objective of my research is to provide a practical guide that assists both the retiring and succeeding generations to approach the subject of succession with each other. The maintenance or improvement of relationships and communication within the family and farm business is a key outcome of this objective.