March 17, 2021

Farm Succession: Operating Agreements

Who can join the farm? And how? What terms are set on compensation if equity and contributions aren’t equal? In this episode, our eighth in our Farm Transition Planning series, Purdue ag economists Brady Brewer and Michael Langemeier discuss agreements that are important in a farm business with Purdue Farm Transition team member Ed Farris. They talk operating agreements and common provisions, as well as buy/sell agreements.

 

The companion episodes in this podcast series can be found here:

  1. “Farm Transition Planning”, June 24, 2020
  2. “Farm Succession: Transitioning Business Management”, July 22, 2020
  3. “Farm Succession: Feasibility of Adding A Farmily Employee”, August 20, 2020
  4. “Farm Succession: Human Resources For Transition Planning”, September 30, 2020
  5. “Farm Succession: Conflict Management For Transition Planning”, December 18,2020
  6. “Farm Succession: Business Governance For Transition Planning”, January 26, 2021
  7. "Farm Succession: Business Entities", February 24, 2021

 

More information from the Purdue Farm Transition Team  can be found here and resources from the Purdue Institute for Family Business can be found at https://purdue.ag/fambiz and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to the farm succession planning YouTube channel.

TEAM LINKS:

PART OF A SERIES:

RELATED RESOURCES

Optimism Grows in October as Current Conditions Improve

November 3, 2026

Farmer sentiment improved in October, led by a sharp increase in the Index of Current Conditions and stronger financial and investment expectations. But with input costs still the top concern and uncertainty surrounding trade policy and agriculture’s long-term direction, producers remain cautious about what comes next.

Seed, Fertilizer, and Pesticide Costs: Comparing U.S. and Brazilian Soybean Farms

October 30, 2026

U.S. soybean producers are watching Brazil’s growing role in the global market. A comparison of nine typical farms finds that Brazil’s lower total production costs aren’t coming from lower input costs. See how land, fertilizer, pesticides, and seed contribute to the difference.

Beyond Buying More Land: A Different Path to Farm Profitability

October 30, 2026

When crop margins are tight, buying more farmland isn’t the only way to grow a farming operation. Matt and Darin Riggs share how they built a value-added business around their farm’s grain, protected their farmland from business risk, and found another path to profitability.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Weathering Water Extremes: Connecting Soil Health, Drainage, Irrigation, and Farm Resilience

Join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts on Nov. 4-5, 2026. In the field, we’ll evaluate the relationship between soil health and water management focusing on irrigation and edge of field practices. The in-service will have both classroom and on farm demonstrations.

Land of Opportunity: A Conference for Farmland Owners!

The Land of Opportunity: A Conference for Farmland Owners will be held at two locations on October 5 and October 6, providing farmland owners with valuable information and resources to help them make informed decisions about their land. The conference will feature keynote presentations, educational breakout sessions, and networking opportunities designed specifically for those who own, manage, or have an interest in farmland.

2026 Crop Cost and Return Guide

September 16, 2025

The 2026 Purdue Crop Cost and Return Guide provides estimated costs and net returns for planting, growing, and harvesting corn, soybeans, and wheat in the upcoming year. Cost and return information presents information for low, average, and high productivity soils. Early projections point to slightly higher breakeven prices.

2025 Farmland Values & Market Trends

September 9, 2025

Purdue ag economists Todd Kuethe and Michael Langemeier as they discuss Indiana farmland values on this, the first of two episodes reviewing the 2025 Purdue Farmland Values and Cash Rental Rates survey results. The survey shows Indiana land prices continue to rise and are anticipated to continue a modest increase for the rest of 2025 for most of the state.

Farmland Prices Increase Despite Downward Pressure, Purdue Ag Econ Report August 2025

August 19, 2025

Indiana farmland prices have continued the trend of record highs in 2025, according to the latest Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey results. The average price of top-quality farmland reached $14,826 per acre, a 3.0% increase from June 2024. Statewide, cash rents increased from 1.5 to 1.7% for poor-, average-, and top-quality land.