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Applied and Extension

Beyond Heir Designation: The Critical Gap in Western Kansas Farm Succession Planning Ashley Morsbach*, Anjorin Adeyemi, Anjorin Adeyemi,

Western Kansas family farms are experiencing a succession challenge characterized less by the absence of heirs than by the limited formalization of transfer processes. This study examined determinants of succession planning and operational readiness across 21 counties, aiming to identify where farm operations stall between intention and implementation. Data were collected from 25 farm operations using a structured, six-section survey instrument measuring succession status, farm characteristics, and 25 Likert-type determinants. Quantitative analyses, including chi-square tests, Kruskal–Wallis procedures, and correlation matrices, were conducted to identify significant patterns, while open-ended responses were analyzed to provide contextual depth.

Findings reveal a pronounced gap between successor identification and formal planning. Although 64% of respondents reported having identified a successor, only 12% had developed comprehensive, documented succession plans, and 52% reported having no written plan. Farm type was significantly associated with successor status (p = 0.047). The sample was predominantly composed of younger operators aged 18–34 (76%), indicating that respondents largely represented next-generation farmers actively engaged in operations rather than retiring owners. Despite this, overall readiness for succession remained moderate, suggesting that early-stage involvement does not necessarily translate into formalized planning.

These results point to a structural disconnect between succession intent and actionable planning, with important implications for Extension programming. Rather than emphasizing general awareness, findings suggest a need for targeted facilitation strategies. Specifically, three areas of intervention emerge: (1) financial planning support to address tax implications and transfer logistics, (2) structured frameworks to support intergenerational communication and decision-making, and (3) timeline development tools to guide the transition from informal arrangements to formalized succession plans. Collectively, these findings inform the design of targeted, practice-oriented interventions to sustain multigenerational farm operations in rural Kansas.