Succession Planning

At UnCommon Farms, everything begins with a conversation—not a checklist. The discovery call is your first opportunity to share what matters most to you. Instead of diving straight into tax strategy or legal paperwork, we focus on understanding your family dynamics, your values, and your vision for the future. We want to hear what a successful transition means to you, in your own words. Whether you’ve done no planning at all or already have a will in place, this step is about uncovering where you are today and where you want to go. It sets the tone for a process rooted in clarity, empathy, and long-term perspective.

Once we understand your goals, we begin a detailed evaluation of your current situation. This isn’t just about documents or entities—it’s about your whole operation, from financial structure and ownership to leadership roles, family involvement, and intergenerational communication. We look closely at how your farm operates and where you might be exposed to risk. More importantly, we help you think through scenarios and decisions that may not yet be on your radar. Our goal during this phase is to paint a complete picture of your transition readiness, identifying both strengths and areas that need attention. We don’t rush it. This is where deep insight is formed and trust is built.

With a clear understanding of your operation and your intentions, we move into developing a tailored action plan. This is where strategy takes shape. We outline a path that not only addresses legal and tax-related matters, but also considers the leadership, ownership, and relational components that often make or break a transition. You’ll receive a thoughtful, well-structured plan—and you won’t be left with a generic checklist. You’ll be equipped with a living, breathing roadmap specific to your family and your farm, with the guidance you need to keep momentum and ensure everyone stays aligned.

Most farms already have trusted advisors—attorneys, accountants, insurance agents—but those professionals often operate in silos. UnCommon Farms brings them into one conversation. We act as the quarterback, connecting the dots between disciplines and people. We help ensure that your vision, your documents, and your decision-makers are all aligned. Implementation is rarely linear. It includes hard conversations, evolving emotions, and sometimes generational tension. That’s why we don’t just provide a plan—we walk with you through it. Whether it’s setting up family meetings or following through on legal updates, we’re a steady hand throughout the process.

Succession planning isn’t a one-and-done project—it’s a process that evolves as your life and business change. That’s why ongoing support is a critical part of the UnCommon approach. Through our membership model, your plan is reviewed and updated regularly, typically every one to three years. We revisit key decisions, account for tax law changes, assess shifts in leadership, and reevaluate based on new goals or family circumstances. Even when you feel like nothing has changed, time has a way of revealing new challenges—and missed updates can quickly lead to outdated or even harmful outcomes. Our role is to make sure your plan stays alive and aligned with the future you’re building.