Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota's economy. Sustaining the Legacy is the educational link to planning the continuance of multi-generational farming and ranching operations. These families are the very fabric of South Dakota supporting local Main Streets, schools, churches and community activities across the state, ensuring that the next generation can continue to raise their family and continue to pass on their traditions to future generations while feeding people daily and supporting South Dakota's rural economy.
No matter the size of your estate, there are wrong, right, and better ways to create a family legacy. Learning about the different methods can help farmers and ranchers create a legacy they are proud of. This legacy includes the transfer of the operation, but also the family relationships they leave behind. These conferences cover many methods to transfer land and assets to the next generation and pass on personal property. These methods include, but are not limited to, trusts, LLC and LLLP, wills, probate, long term care insurance, and funding retirement.
For more information, contact Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist.
Upcoming Events
Sustaining the Legacy @ Mitchell
Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on January 8, 15 and 22, 2026, at the SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center (1800 E Spruce, Mitchell, SD 57301). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.
Sustaining the Legacy @ Aberdeen
Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on February 3, 10 and 17, 2026, at SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center (13 2nd Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.
Sustaining the Legacy @ Watertown
Join SDSU Extension and industry professionals for a three-day estate planning and farm succession conference on March 3, 10 and 17, 2026, at SDSU Extension Watertown Regional Center (1910 West Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201). Each day begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.
Related Content
Three Parts to a Farm Plan: And you need all three
Farmers and ranchers need to create three plans to efficiently transfer the management and ownership of their operations to the next generation. These include: an estate plan, a transition plan, and a retirement plan.
Building and Retaining a Skilled Agricultural Workforce: Challenges and Strategies
Building a strong, motivated workforce is essential to the future of agriculture. A team from SDSU Extension is exploring the challenges and opportunities facing our agricultural community.
SDSU Extension to discuss estate tax at Sustaining the Legacy conferences
December 03, 2025
South Dakota State University Extension will continue to assist farmers and ranchers with long-term planning through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences across South Dakota this winter.