NORTH DAKOTA FARM/RANCH TRANSITION PLANNING

Program Design, Implementation & Impact

• By: Willie Huot, NDSU• Extension Agent/Farm Business

Mgt. & Economics,

Situation• State Population

– 642,000

• Majority of people live in 10 population centers

• Large part of population live in near Eastern• Rapid growth in Western counties (Oil patch)• 33 of 53 counties less than 6000 population• 40 of 53 counties less than 10,000 population

Distance Education Technology

• Started in 1991– Universities & larger counties

• Has continued to grow in locations & Usage

• Majority of population is familiar with technology

• University usage has continued to expand

Interactive Video Network Technology

• Now Available in nearly every county– Universities/colleges– Experiment stations– Extension Offices– Public schools– Hospitals– Law enforcement centers– Others

Uses of ND Interactive Video Network(IVN)

• Annual Tax Management Seminars since 1990• Marketing outlook sessions• Market Club Education Opportunities• In-Service training sessions

• Annie’s Project in 2006• Launched Estate Planning in 2010

Annie’s Project in ND2006 - 2011

– Over 1,000 women participated– Delivered via Interactive Video Network &

local presenters– Effective & efficient delivery system– Revealed the need for expanded education on

“Farm/Ranch Transition & Estate Planning

We Learned ThatInteractive Video-

• Can be used as an effective delivery tool• Greatly reduces costs• Can be challenging if used exclusively for

the delivery method• Requires scheduling many months in

advance• Requires special skills for

presenters

Planning Process

• Steering Committee– Frequent Conference Calls

• In-Service Training Sessions– Spring (Daylong)

• Evaluation & Next year’s initial Site Selection

– Fall ( Over two days)• Details for upcoming session• Computer training

Use of Web Site• www.ag.ndsu.edu/anniesproject

–Annie’s Project–Estate Planning Courses

Farm/Ranch Transition Planning

• Patterned somewhat after Missouri Model • Pilot Project in 2010

– Six Sites– Delivery & Resources

• IVN• Local Experts• Note book of resource materials• Web Sites

Format

• Thee sessions each 3 hours long• Half of content delivered via IVN• Half of content delivered via local experts• Registration fee $55 - $75• Major topics

– Communication– Farm & Ranch Business Arrangements– Succession Planning &Asset transfer strategies

IVN Presentations

• Getting Started; Importance of Communication

• Farm Business Arrangements; Pros & Cons of different business structures

• Farm Estate & Succession Planning

Farm/Ranch Transition Planning Sites; 2010 –2012 

Williston

WatfordCity

Beach

Stanley

Killdeer

Dickinson

Minot

Washburn

Beulah

Mandan/Bismarck

Elgin

Bottineau

Towner

Cando

Devils Lake

Maddock

Carrington

Jamestown

Napoleon

Ashley Oakes FormanWahpeton

Lisbon

Valley City

Casselton Fargo

Grand Forks

Langdon

Delivery Methods

Local Presenters

• Attorneys• CPA’s• Judges• Certified Financial Planners• Others

Program Shifts for 2011-2012

• Focused primarily on Farm/Ranch Transition

• Kept delivery methods the same• More emphasis on showcasing online

resources• Developed Facilitators manual

Impacts• Over 860 participants @ 29 sites• 98% Indicated major gain in knowledge• 94% Intend to initiate/advance their asset

transfer plans• 92% Increased their comfort level in

communicating with their family member re: estate planning topics

Electronic Delivery Advantages

• Gets all facilitators “on the same page”• Unifies the program state wide• Reach multiple sites simultaneously • Increases program visibility• Efficient use of resources• Greatly reduces program costs

Electronic Delivery Challenges

• Restricts where project can be offered• Technical problem possibilities• Reduces “face-to-face” delivery• Requires precise timing at all sites• Technology acceptance not universal

Distance Learning-Keys to Success

• Committed staff• Sponsorships• Electronic Delivery System• In-Service Trainings• Web site Usage• Facilitators Manual • Support from National Team

Questions or Comment?Contact Willie Huot

NDSU Extension ServiceWillie.huot@ndsu.edu