You have heard of the expression “getting your ducks in row.” It means to ensure all the small details or elements are accounted for and in their proper positions before embarking on a new project. To grow the perfect crop, you plan your seed, order your fertilizers, prepare your fields and plant. With a little luck from Mother Nature, you get the right amount of rain and poof! A successful harvest!

Without the proper plan you may have forgotten an important part, and then no matter how much rain, your harvest would not be as successful. The same can be said for securing the future of your farm. Not having the right plan can put your life’s work in jeopardy.  Do you have your ducks in a row? If the answer is “No” or “I don’t know,” you should attend the ASA Succession Planning Workshops.

ASA and eLegacyConnect can help you get your ducks in a row by attending one of our Succession Planning Workshops and protect your family’s legacy. ASA in partnership with eLegacyConnect is conducting a series of six regional succession planning educational workshops in 2014. The Succession Planning Workshops titled “Five Keys to Effective Succession Planning,” are sponsored by Farm Credit and AGCO, Illinois Soybean Association, Kentucky Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Association, Ohio Soybean Association and South Dakota Soybean Association.

The workshop dates and locations are:

• June 24, Memphis, Tenn., University of Memphis/ University Center Ballroom
• June 26, Paducah, Ky., Julian Carroll Convention Center
• July 30, Sioux Falls, S.D, Sioux Falls Convention Center
• Aug 19, Columbus, Ohio, Renaissance Columbus Downtown
• Aug 21, Fort Wayne, Ind., The Landmark Centre
• Dec 4, Moline, Ill., Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center

The workshops are open to all soybean producers and have a registration fee for ASA members of $50 for the first person in a family and $30 for each additional family member. For non ASA members, the registration fee for the first person in a family $90 and a $70 fee charged for each additional person. To register, click on the link https://soygrowers.com/succession-planning-workshop/ and choose which city and session you want to attend.

The workshops will be taught by Kevin Spafford, founder of Legacy by Design. Legacy by Design is a firm dedicated to succession planning for farm families and agribusiness owners. Over the last 10 years, he’s spearheaded initiatives to improve the way farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners engage in the succession planning process.

For more information about these workshops go to ASA website. For more information about eLegacyConnect click here.