Wondering about how to protect your family’s farm legacy? If you answered yes or maybe you’d like to learn more but don’t know where to start, you need to sign up for the upcoming ASA Succession Planning Workshops. ASA, in partnership with eLegacyConnect, is conducting a series of six regional succession planning education workshops in 2014. Registration is now open. To register, click here and choose which city and session you want to attend.

Succession is the watershed issue facing America’s family farmers. Planning for smooth ownership transition and preparing the next generation to lead is tough. Providing financial security and eliminating the estate tax can be complex and confusing. If multigenerational success is your goal, this presentation is for you.

The Succession Planning Workshops are titled “Five Keys to Effective Succession Planning” and are sponsored by Farm Credit and AGCO, Illinois Soybean Association, Kentucky Soybean Association and Ohio Soybean Association.

Through the five keys, you’ll learn about the planning process, good communication strategies, and how to overcome obstacles. Utilizing tips from this session will help ensure the farm remains in the family, provides financial security and offers career opportunities for generations to come.

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
• August 19, Columbus, Ohio, Renaissance Columbus Downtown
• August 21, Fort Wayne, Ind., The Landmark Centre
• December 4, Moline, Ill., Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center

The workshops are open to all soybean producers with 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 is $90 and $70 for each additional person.

The Succession Planning Workshops are one-day sessions starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. All participants will be required to register through an online process beginning May 1, 2014. The exact workshop locations are still to be determined and will be announced at a later time.

The workshops are 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.

Kevin involves audiences in experiences that encourage action and generate results. His efforts focus on personal contact through print/social media and live experiences. Kevin has provided a depth and breadth of education, motivation and direction for succession planning to both consumers and professional advisors. His speaking style is highly interactive, which is both entertaining and educational.

For more information about these workshops visit the ASA website. For more information about eLegacyConnect click here.