Growers Talk Farm Transition During Panel Discussion

Hershey Farm Transition PanelWhat does it take to ensure a successful farm transition for a family-run orchard? The process often begins and ends with communication, according to Russell Redding, the Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley College.

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But why not hear more right from the source? During the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA, in late January, a panel of prominent Pennsylvania fruit growing families, with multiple generations represented, discussed the lessons they have learned during the ongoing process of transferring farm ownership and responsibilities from one generation to the next. The panelists included Ed and Justin Weaver of Weaver’s Orchard, David and Sidney Kuhn of Kuhn Orchards, and Dave and Ben Wenk of Three Springs Fruit Farm.

Here is a quick rundown of 10 factors that can help determine when a farm transition will run smoothly, based on comments from the panelists.

1. For each party involved, identify your current roles, and how these roles can or should change moving forward. “You have to know what you are doing now, and what you want to be doing in the future,” said Ben Wenk. Ben’s father, Dave, noted that this is especially important as business structures change. “The needs are different between when I took over the farm, and when Ben will take over.”

2. Having experience off the farm helps. “After college, my dad told me to work off the farm for five years before coming back,” said Sidney Kuhn. After spending some time working in the landscaping industry, Kuhn felt the time was right to return to the farm with some “real-world” experience.

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3. Across the board, every panelist agreed that communication is critical, as is being a good listener. The toughest part can be starting the conversation, but once that begins, it’s important to maintain a constant level of discussion.

4. Divide, but consider equally, day-to-day responsibilities versus long-term business and legal issues. “The day-to-day part will likely happen quicker, because that’s what everyone seems to be most comfortable with,” said Justin Weaver. “But my dad [Ed] and I talk frequently about where we each want to see the business headed.”

5. Recognize changing business structures or divisions. In the case of Three Springs, Ben Wenk has built up a rapidly growing part of the business selling at tailgate markets in the Washington, DC, metro area. The level to which this area of the company operates independently or under a bigger umbrella must be considered.

6. Identify the role(s) of the extended family, both younger and older. At Weaver’s Orchard, Justin is the oldest of four siblings, each of whom will likely continue working on the farm in some capacity. At some point, the question of their level of ownership will need to be addressed. Meanwhile, at Kuhn Orchards, Sidney has already assumed ownership responsibilities from her father David. “It was a ‘hard dance’ talking with my parents about their roles moving forward,” she said.

7. Know what you do best, and know when you need to delegate. “Most of my experience is in marketing, but as my role has changed, I’ve become more involved in production,” said Ben Wenk. “At a certain point, I knew I needed to train someone to manage our tailgate markets.”

8. Consider the use of a consultant. “Once you meet with a consultant, you wonder how you ever got by before without one,” says Dave Wenk. His son Ben agrees, noting that using a consultant or facilitator helps you focus more on the day-to-day discussions. David Kuhn also concurred, saying that “you need a team leader to help clarify everyone’s expectations.”

9. Don’t repeat the process verbatim from past farm transitions. “My dad and I can’t have the same transition that we did with his father,” said Justin Weaver. “Our business has changed too much.”

10. Weigh your own interests with what’s best for the business. “In a perfect world, I just want to be able to grow fruit,” said Justin. “But is this best for the business in the long run, and how can I merge my interest in fruit growing with the success of our retail business?”

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