International Farm Transition Network

06/09/2026

One week on from our successful Annual Professional Development Conference in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., we are reflecting on the many important conversations that took place around the future of farming and the role of women in shaping that future.

This powerful image featuring Iowa farmer, Krystal Doolittle, created by Pioneer Seeds, reminds us that women have long been at the heart of farming and ranching businesses. Yet too often their contributions, perspectives and aspirations have been overlooked in discussions about family farm succession and transition.

For generations, women have played vital roles in sustaining farm businesses, supporting families, managing operations and shaping the future of agriculture. Increasingly, however, women are not just marrying farmers, they are becoming farm owners, managers, successors and leaders in their own right.

"Her great-grandmother married a farmer.
Her grandmother married a farmer.
Her mother married a farmer.
Her husband married a farmer."

This is an important conversation that must continue. As highlighted by our keynote speaker, Professor Maura Farrell from the University of Galway, Ireland, women play a central role in succession planning, decision-making and shaping the future direction of farm and ranch businesses.

The future of farming depends on recognising and valuing the contributions, experiences and leadership of women across generations. The IFTN is proud to facilitate these important conversations.

05/21/2026

It's not too late! ⏰Join us for a great line up of speakers and farm visits in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania June 2-3 for all things farm transition! 📌
Register now: 💯 https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/international-farm-transition-network-annual-conference

04/30/2026

There is still time left to regsiter for this year’s International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) Annual Professional Development Conference taking place from June 2–3, 2026 at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conference Center, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA, kindly hosted by Pennsylvania Farm Link.

Register here: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/international-farm-transition-network-annual-conference?fbclid=IwY2xjawRgFE5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBETVBuaFQyUGgwamZQUGxzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtyXkqhLNSly1x7iYy0-BFwbesQdL7PXM68epOUWIKSi8FuUQPWkaIjf8e1b_aem_A-cynTRKM_jc6BH1f-2YvA

This year’s theme, ‘Beyond Assets: Roles, Relationships and Family Dynamics in Farm Transition’, will feature a keynote from Professor Maura Farrell from the University of Galway, Ireland, who will present on 'Invisible to Indispensable: Recognising Women’s Central Role in Farm Succession and Continuity'.

Russell Redding, Secretary of Agriculture at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Dr Florence Becot, Agricultural Safety and Health Program Lead at Penn State University, have also been confirmed as speakers at this year's coference.

Farm Credit Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Pennsylvania Farm Show Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center

04/13/2026

Our next Education Hour, featuring Patti Durand, explores the topic of 'Is the Successor Always Welcome?'
When a successor joins the family business, there are many possibilities for their involvement. Often the focus is on operational training - getting them involved in the day-to-day function of the business. However, is the successor welcome and invited to the management and advisory table? This session will consider the value of including the successor in management and advisory conversations as soon as possible and the risks of waiting too long.

More information & registration details for this upcoming talk, taking place on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 can be found here: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/international-farm-transition-network-education-hour-successor-always-welcome

03/31/2026

Registration for this year’s International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) Annual Professional Development Conference taking place from June 2–3, 2026 at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conference Center, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA is now open!

Register here: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/international-farm-transition-network-annual-conference

This year’s theme, ‘Beyond Assets: Roles, Relationships and Family Dynamics in Farm Transition’, will feature a keynote from Professor Maura Farrell from the University of Galway, Ireland, who will present on 'Invisible to Indispensable: Recognising Women’s Central Role in Farm Succession and Continuity'.

Russell Redding, Secretary of Agriculture at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Dr Florence Becot, Agricultural Safety and Health Program Lead at Penn State University, have also been confirmed as speakers at this year's coference.

03/24/2026

On , the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) recognises that successful farm succession is about much more than paperwork, it’s about people.
We are pleased to highlight a recent guest article series in American Vegetable Grower magazine by our Board Member, Dr Shane Conway of Atlantic Technological University, Ireland. The series explores the vital roles, relationships, and family dynamics that often determine the success or failure of a farm transition.
In the March 2026 edition, Dr Conway highlights the importance of a certified IFTN Farm Succession Facilitator in navigating these sensitive interpersonal dynamics and supporting smoother, more effective transitions for both generations.

Since its founding in 1908, American Vegetable Grower has served as a leading voice for the fresh and processing vegetable industry in the United States, and we are delighted to have been featured so prominently within in recent months.

Read the series here: https://www.growingproduce.com/american-vegetable-grower-magazine/

U.S. Department of Agriculture

03/03/2026

Our next Education Hour will feature Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University, U.S.A., who will present on the topic of 'Sometimes Right Isn’t Equal, Sometimes Equal’s Not Fair: Managing the Equity and Equities in Farm Transitions'

Many producers face a scenario with one or more children desiring to come back to the farm as a principal operator and one or more children seeking their fortunes elsewhere. With most farm families holding relatively few non-farm assets, they struggle with how to divide the farm assets among operating and non-operating heirs. This often leads to a 'split it down the middle' approach shown by research to be infeasible by most operations. Why does this strategy so often fail, and what better approaches might be available?

More information & registration details for this upcoming talk, taking place on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 can be found here: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/international-farm-transition-network-education-hour-sometimes-right-isnt-equal-sometimes

02/23/2026

We are pleased to announce that Russell Redding, Secretary of Agriculture at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Dr Florence Becot, Agricultural Safety and Health Program Lead at Penn State University, have also been confirmed as speakers at this year’s International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) Annual Professional Development Conference taking place from June 2–3, 2026 at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conference Center, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

This year’s theme, ‘Beyond Assets: Roles, Relationships and Family Dynamics in Farm Transition’, will feature a keynote from Professor Maura Farrell from the University of Galway, Ireland, who will present on 'Invisible to Indispensable: Recognising Women’s Central Role in Farm Succession and Continuity'.

Registration details will be announced shortly.

02/04/2026

Current IFTN Board Member, Dr Shane Conway & former Board Member, Darlene Livingston, were both featured on Ireland's national radio station, RTÉ Radio 1, earlier today (February 4th) speaking about the transatlantic success of the Farmer's Yards Social Initiative for Older Farmers in tackling rural isolation and helping to stimulate conversations around farm transition within the farming community.
You can listen back here:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22581268/

You can listen back to a feature piece on the Farmer's Yards social initiative for older farmers at Mountbellew Co-Op Livestock Mart Ltd, Co. Galway, and its subsequent successful roll out in the USA by Pennsylvania Farm Link aired on RTÉ Radio 1 earlier this morning here:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22581268/

Local farmer Anne Mitchell is interviewed, as well as Dr Shane Conway who led the initiative while working at the University of Galway & Darlene Livingston who is now running it in the USA to help tackle rural isolation.

01/29/2026

*SAVE THE DATE*
This year's International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) Annual Professional Development Conference will take place from June 2-3 2026 at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conference Center, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 17325, U.S.A. 🇺🇸

The theme of this year's conference is ‘Beyond Assets: Roles, Relationships and Family Dynamics in Farm Transition’, and will include a keynote from Professor Maura Farrell from the University of Galway, Ireland, a leading international expert on gender, succession and social relations in farming, particularly in family farm contexts. 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾

More details about this international event will be announced soon!