This live session unpacks what a successful farm transition actually looks like in 2026 — from the tax and policy environment shaping today's planning decisions to the practical steps operators can take in the next 30, 90, and 365 days.
Part of UnCommon Farms' 2026 Webinar Series
Live Session: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
Built to Last:
The UnCommon Approach to Farm Succession Planning
Succession planning is the one decision that touches every part of your operation — your financials, your leadership structure, your family, and your legacy. Join UnCommon Farms for a free, 2026-focused session designed to move your plan from idea to action.
On Tuesday, June 9, CEO Matt Ronken and Manager of Succession Planning Mike Downey come together for a timely, tactical conversation on preparing farm operations for what's ahead. The session opens with a clear-eyed look at the 2026 succession landscape — current estate tax exemption levels, land value and cash rent pressure, the financing climate, the operator age curve, and the growing share of farmland held by non-operating heirs — then moves into the framework UnCommon Farms uses to guide hundreds of farm families through transition.
With more than 25 years of marketing, strategy, and general management leadership at the helm of UnCommon Farms, Matt sets the stage by sharing how the organization works alongside producers to plan, lead, and grow with intention. Mike then leads attendees through a practical, execution-focused walk-through of farm succession planning in 2026 — including a deep dive on the "sandwich generation" of operators caught between aging parents and incoming successors, the difference between succession and estate planning, and what fair-versus-equal really looks like in practice.
Attendees walk away with a clear next step — not a vague call to "start planning," but a concrete 30/90/365-day action ladder built for the realities of 2026.
What you will gain from this session:
- A grounded view of the 2026 succession landscape — including tax, policy, land value, and demographic shifts shaping farm transitions today
- A focused look at the sandwich generation — the operators carrying the most pressure and the moves they should be making in the next 12 months
- A clear distinction between succession planning and estate planning — and why one is the work of your attorney while the other is the work of your family
- A practical framework for fair versus equal — including how structured family meetings and communication tools help families land on fair without forcing equal
- The UnCommon Approach to succession — covering succession planning, estate planning and wealth preservation, business continuity and governance, and leadership and management transition
- A concrete 30/90/365-day action ladder you can put to work the day after the webinar
Our Speakers
Matt Ronken
Chief Executive Officer
Matt serves as Chief Executive Officer at UnCommon Farms, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across marketing, strategy, and general management. He leads the senior leadership team in supporting the organization's mission of helping farm families define and achieve their goals — casting vision, driving strategic growth, and guiding farms through transition, innovation, and long-term planning. Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing, summa cum laude, from the University of Missouri–Columbia and his MBA in Marketing and Finance from Saint Louis University, and completed Nestlé's Senior Leadership Development program in China and Switzerland. His personal philosophy: Work hard. Have fun while doing it.
Mike Downey
Manager, Succession Planning
Mike brings more than 24 years of experience in the agricultural industry to his work with UnCommon Farms members. After managing more than 100 landlord-tenant relationships during his years in farm and land management, Mike turned his focus to his true passion, estate and succession planning, and has since helped nearly 800 farm families build transition plans designed to preserve their legacies. Born and raised on a family farm, Mike graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Business and Finance and holds several agricultural accreditations, including Certified Farm Succession Coordinator through the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN). He and his family own and operate 250 acres in eastern Iowa, including the family's original 150-year-old heritage farm. Mike is also co-owner of Next Gen Ag Advocates, co-founder of the Start A Farmer Foundation, and writes the "More than Dirt" blog for Farm Futures.
Let’s Talk
Let’s talk about how our ag business experts can help you take control of your farm’s destiny. Our community and experts can help propel your legacy into the future.
