Surviving the Family Farm

What happens when disagreements over the family farm become so serious that siblings can barely sit down together for the holidays? In this episode of Surviving the Family Farm, our panel tackles three real questions from farm families navigating difficult conversations about succession planning, inheritance and the future of their operations. From siblings who feel entitled to the family farm to disagreements over discounted land sales, the panel explores what happens when emotions, money and family relationships collide. Dr. Tom Field of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Craig Burnside of PrairieFire Consulting and attorney Spencer Hartman of Rembolt Ludtke share practical advice on starting difficult conversations, rebuilding trust, preparing for family meetings and making decisions before it's too late. Have a question about your family farm? Submit it anonymously at RuralRadio.com/ask for a chance to have our panel address it in a future episode. Surviving the Family Farm is produced by the Rural Radio Network with support from the Nebraska Soybean Board.

Should you upgrade that piece of equipment? What happens when the farm next door suddenly comes up for sale? And how far can you stretch the operation without putting yourself in a bad position? In this special episode of Surviving the Family Farm, recorded live at Husker Harvest Days, Bryce Doeschot sits down with Matt Raber, Vice President and Market President at Heartland Bank, and Adam Holtorf, Vice President and Relationship Manager. They talk through the numbers behind some of the biggest decisions on the farm, including equipment purchases, buying land, cash flow, working capital, debt, interest rates and year-end tax planning. They also discuss opportunities for beginning farmers, separating wants from needs, planning for the next generation and one question every operation should consider before taking on more risk: What’s Plan B? As Raber puts it, “The numbers don’t ever give you any answers. They just give you the right questions to ask.” This special episode of Surviving the Family Farm is presented in partnership with Heartland Bank.

One successful scam can jeopardize retirement savings, operating capital and assets intended for the next generation. In this episode of Surviving the Family Farm, Bryce Doeschot is joined by Shannon Drudik, Vice President and Compliance Officer at Heartland Bank, and Corey Swartzendruber, Senior Vice President and IT Director. They examine scams increasingly affecting farmers and rural families, including fraudulent equipment listings, IRS impersonation, romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes and check washing. Shannon and Corey also explain how stronger passwords, multi-factor authentication, account alerts and regular transaction monitoring can help protect a family’s finances. Listeners will also learn about HB Alerts, Card Controls and Credit Sense—three tools available to Heartland Bank customers. This episode is presented in partnership with Heartland Bank. Find additional fraud-prevention resources at MyHeartland.Bank.

What happens when there isn't a family heir ready to take over the operation? In Episode 2 of Surviving the Family Farm, Bryce Doeschot is joined by Dr. Tom Field, Craig Burnside and Spencer Hartman to answer real questions from farm and ranch families navigating succession planning. This episode tackles: • Finding a successor when there is no next generation in line • Connecting beginning farmers with established operations • Managing inheritance disputes between farming and non-farming heirs • Buying family land and determining a fair price • Why communication and documentation matter in transition planning Whether you're planning to pass the farm to the next generation or hoping to keep the operation together for years to come, this conversation offers practical insights and real-world advice from experts in agriculture, family business and agricultural law.

What happens when the toughest part of farming isn’t weather or markets—but family? In the pilot episode of Surviving the Family Farm, host Bryce Doeschot and a panel of ag experts tackle listener questions on handshake deals, succession planning, sibling conflict, prenups, and running a farm with nothing in writing. Practical insight for farm and ranch families navigating legacy, leadership, and tough conversations. Have a question for the show?