New Frontiers of Family Business
Family farms and ranches have a rich history, marked by pivotal moments like acquiring land or relocating, which signaled new beginnings and strategies for the family’s future.
Today, similar defining moments exist for family businesses, representing new frontiers and opportunities for change. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Diversification: Don’t limit your business to what you already know. Skills like land management, finance, and negotiation can be applied beyond farming. Consider ventures like purchasing land in different areas to spread weather risks, or starting new businesses leveraging existing skills.
- Non-Family Ownership: As fewer family members join the farm, passing it down becomes trickier. Some families involve non-family members as owners or successors, offering shares or ownership through sweat equity to qualified employees.
- Merging Operations: With industry consolidation, smaller farms face challenges. Instead of selling, some merge with larger operations for efficiency and scale. Planning with professionals can optimize tax implications and secure value for both sides.
Embracing new frontiers, whether through diversification, involving non-family members, or merging operations, can extend your family business’s legacy in unexpected ways. For more details, you can read the full article HERE.