In the first of a two-part series on beginning farming, host Karen Endres sits down with Wisconsin Farm Center Ag Program Specialist Nikki Lennart to unpack what it really means to step into a family farm operation. They dig into the emotional weight of unspoken expectations, like being told "the farm will be yours someday" without anything ever being formalized. They talk candidly about legacy, guilt, and how to know if taking over the farm is truly the right choice. The conversation then shifts to the business side of succession: why beginning farmers need full visibility into the farm's financials, the risks of inheriting debt without a clear financial picture, and why a personal business plan matters even when nothing is changing. Nikki and Karen close with practical guidance for young farmers waiting on unresolved succession plans, and what families risk by putting off these conversations indefinitely. Part 2 will provide guidance to beginning farmers without a family land pathway.

Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than 100 years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at (800) 942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov.

More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.

If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at (888) 901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.