Solutions for Farmers

As a farm owner, business owner and concentrated real estate owner, you need to continually think about the present and the future. Your farmland is not illiquid. Most of your assets aren’t illiquid, and because of that, settlement problems may arise. The best way to ensure a smooth transition from one farm owner to the next is by estate planning. Essentially, this is a framework for the disposition of your assets at the time of death. Not only can this protect your land, but it can also provide for the needs of your family and may help reduce high inheritance taxes. By creating an estate plan, you can go forward knowing your farm and family will be in good hands.

When passing on a farm and all that comes with it, the farm and land owners have many important decisions to make regarding their future. Farmland can be passed on to relatives, employees, outside parties and even charities. Even after this decision is made, however, many more remain. Succession planning with our team means making these decisions together and making sure your farm will remain economically sound and continue with the legacy you desire.

Protecting your assets means getting to know you, your values and your priorities. We want to know what is important to you and protect that from any unexpected occurrences in the future. Asset protection allows us to put stategies in place to help you plan for the future, protect your farm and personal assets such as wealth, future income and property from liabilities and guide the process of transferring assets on to future generations.

Investing in the future requires a lot more consideration than simply what assets you can allocate to a venture. We are sure to take all factors into consideration, such as your personal timetable, risks involved, taxes and more to help you invest smarter.

In order to best help you manage your wealth, we follow a comprehensive process that includes creating a plan, monitoring your plan in action and making changes as needed. This management plan draws from several different areas of finance such as accumulation and retirement income plans, investments in stocks, bonds, and/or mutual funds, insurance products, third-party management and more. By getting to know you and your farming goals, risk tolerances, expected returns and values, we’re able to manage your wealth and make your money work for you.

When a charity or organization matters to you, it also matters to us. No matter what your philanthropic passions are, we are here to help support them by creating financial strategies that include charitable giving within its budget. Not only that, but as a result of your giving there may also be tax deductions that end up saving you money as you give. In all areas of finance, even giving, our team of advisors can help make the most of your financial strategies and wealth.

A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract between co-owners of a farm that sets in place a plan in case of one owner’s death or leaving of the business, regardless of the circumstances. Essentially, this agreement provides a protected way out of farm ownership if needed. Our team works with you to employ life insurance in such a way the business can better cope financially in the event of a co-owner’s death.

A farm is only able to run its best when all of the employees and owners work together and share common goals. But what happens when a key-member of the team passes away? That is where our company can help, by providing a form of insurance that will compensate the farm owner in case of a loss. This key-person insurance can protect the farm from a loss of sales, credit and work force. It can be used to find another worker to take his or her place. When you think of your farm’s employees, is there one employee you cannot imagine working without? Does this member bring skills and ideas no other employee can? If so, we can help you protect your farm even in the case of this worker switching employers, becoming disabled or dying.