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StateRolling / continuousTechnical assistanceNationwide

Farm Succession & Transfer Planning Assistance

Cooperative Extension farm transition programs

State Extension farm transition teams provide free or subsidized facilitation for handing a farm to the next generation or to a non-family successor — including lease-to-own structures for beginning farmers.

Typical award
Free to low-cost facilitation; some states cost-share legal fees
Deadline
Rolling — contact your state program
Type of support
Technical assistance · Beginning farmer & land access
Who can apply
Individual producer, Beginning / underserved, Other
Fits these operations
Vegetables & produce, Cut flowers, Orchard & fruit, Mixed / diversified, Value-added & food business

Am I eligible?

  • Farm owner planning a transfer, or a successor identified for one
  • Both parties willing to participate in facilitated conversations

How to apply

  1. 1Contact your state Extension farm transition coordinator
  2. 2Complete an intake describing the operation and the parties
  3. 3Attend facilitated planning sessions
  4. 4Take the resulting plan to an attorney and accountant to execute

What you'll need

  • Land and equipment inventory with rough values
  • Current balance sheet and debt list
  • Names and roles of everyone involved in the transfer

Timeline & contact

6 months to several years depending on complexity
Get help: State Cooperative Extension; Farm Answers beginning farmer clearinghouse

Ready to apply?

Applications go through Cooperative Extension farm transition programs, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.

Open official page

This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.

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