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Kokomo Location: January 27, 2026
Bloomington Location: January 28, 2026
Farm Shield: Protecting Your Legacy from Life's Uncertainties is a comprehensive risk management education program designed to help Indiana farmers and their families safeguard their operations against key risks, often referred to as the "7 D's": death, division, debt, disagreement, dysfunction, disaster, and disability. This conference prioritizes essential areas of risk, including succession planning, financial analysis, farm stress, disability, and farm emergency planning, and will be delivered in two locations.
Keynote Speaker Jolene Brown
There is a Better Way!
Navigating the Succession and Transition of Your Family Business
Do you really want your business to continue? If so, you’ve important work to do, starting now. In this upbeat, eye-opening keynote we’ll learn ten valuable lessons from farmers who are creating successful legacy businesses. With lots of insight and real-life stories, you’ll understand that transition does not have be a painful, dreaded process, but one that brings peace of mind, assurance of business, clarity for family, and renewed motivation to make a good business even better.
Capnote: It's Your Turn! Taking it Home and Celebrating the Journey
Defining your immediate implementation of a newly gained conference idea is the first step toward making positive differences for your family and business. Then we’ll find three ways to bring joy and laughter back home to celebrate our journeys in agriculture. It’s time to honor who we are and all we do!
Conference Agenda
General Session
- Keynote Speaker Jolene Brown
- Risk Assessment Worksheet
- Code Red
Morning Breakout Session: choose between
- Addressing Family Conflict
- Preparing for the Unexpected
Lunch
Farm Stress: Saying the Hard Things
This presentation focuses on the challenging but essential conversations surrounding stress and mental health within the farming community. It begins by examining farmer identity and the unique pressures that come with it. Attendees will learn about how stress manifests physically and emotionally, including key signs and symptoms to watch for. The presentation will guide participants on how to initiate and navigate difficult discussions about stress, both with themselves and others. Additionally, it will provide information on available resources and support systems tailored to the agricultural sector, empowering farmers to seek help and foster a supportive environment for mental well-being.
Afternoon Breakout Session: choose between
- Estate & Succession Planning
- Managing Financial Responsibility
Closing Session
- Breakout Speaker Panel
- Closing Comments with Jolene Brown
- Conference Wrap Up and Evaluation
Break Out Sessions
During the conference, we will offer two opportunities to participate in breakout sessions. Participants will select which session they would like to attend. More information about each session is listed below.Feasibility of Adding a Family Member to the Operation
Speaker Dr. Michael Langemeier
There are three factors that need to be considered when examining the feasibility of adding a family member to the operation. First, is gross revenue large enough to pay for an additional person. Second, is the farm profitable enough to add an additional person. Third, will the farm be able to cover term debt payments and replace assets in a timely manner after another person has been added to the operation. With respect the third factor, an additional consideration is the willingness of the farm operators to take on additional debt if the farm needs to expand after the addition of the new family member.
Insurance Talk:
Speaker: Ed Sheldon, Engagement Coordinator for the Indiana and national AgrAbility projects, supporting farmers, agricultural workers, and families impacted by disability. He also conducts farm safety and rural emergency preparedness extension and outreach efforts
Navigating Succession Struggles: Conflict in Succession
This presentation will cover why there could be conflict in your farm family and business, how to adapt roles among generations, how to utilize different conflict modes, and how to get to resolution. This will include real-life and practical strategies that you can use to communicate more effectively, handle conflict efficiently, and move your farm business and succession plan forward.
Securing Your Legacy: A Roadmap to Farm Succession
Speaker: Scott Linneweber, Shareholder Attorney
This session provides farm families with essential tools to begin or advance their succession plan. We'll discuss how different business structures, such as LLCs or trusts, can protect your operation and explore how nuptial, buy-sell, and operating agreements can mitigate the risks of divorce on your farm assets. The presentation will guide you through creating a step-by-step roadmap to outline the transfer of management and assets, ensuring your farm's future is secure for the next generation.
Registration Information
January 27, 2026 Kokomo
The Venue at Brookestone
1201 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN
Registration link: https://bit.ly/farmshieldkokomo
Hotel Information: COMING SOON!
January 28, 2026 Bloomington
Monroe Convention Center
302 S. College Ave., Bloomington, IN
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/farmshieldbloomington
Hotel Information: COMING SOON!
If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact Mathias Ingle prior to the meeting at 765-456-2313 or rmingle@purdue.edu by January 16, 2026. If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Mathias Ingle prior to the meeting at 765-456-2313 or rmingle@purdue.edu by January 16, 2026.
Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
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This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2024-70027-42470
