UI Extension program strives to keep farms in the family

As homework for a January 2020 University of Idaho Extension succession planning course, Glen and Julia Merrill started awkward and emotionally taxing conversations that were critically important to their family farm’s future.

The Merrills met individually with their three sons and two daughters — and later with their children’s spouses — to explain the one clear path toward keeping their 2,550-acre southeast Idaho farm and ranch intact. They would pass the entire operation down to their youngest daughter, Melanie, and her husband, Aaron Larson, who had helped Glen run the business for more than a decade.

A few years later, the family is still finalizing details of their succession plan, but thanks to the UI Extension training, the Merrills have the peace of mind of knowing their children have come to support a common vision to keep the farm whole.

An important lesson

A key lesson of succession planning is that a solution that preserves a farm while meeting the needs of children can't always distribute assets fairly.

“It’s not always equal. Our other kids are making their livings and their retirements on the jobs they’re doing, and Aaron is working here and earning his retirement,” Julia said. “Aaron would never survive and keep the farm running if he had to buy them all out.”

The Merrills recommend the U of I program to anyone facing a similar predicament who has procrastinated in starting the process.

All family farms’ circumstances are unique regarding how to handle transferring assets to the next generation, but Glen — a 67-year-old, fourth-generation farmer — argues doing nothing is an all-too-common choice that usually leads to disaster.

“You have to do this while you can, and it doesn’t happen overnight,” Glen said. “If you do nothing, then you are in trouble.”

Extension is inviting agricultural producers to complete an online survey, which will remain open through the end of 2025, to revamp its succession planning program to better fit their needs.

Generations of farmers

Glen’s great-grandfather, Louis Edgar Merrill, homesteaded the Bannock County property in 1914. The farm raises wheat and alfalfa, on dryland and under irrigation. Glen grew up milking cows but ultimately sold the dairy herd in 2022, exchanging it for a 40 cow-calf beef herd.

Glen’s first experience with succession planning occurred in the late 1980s, when he participated in a separate program with his parents. His four siblings were initially incredulous when they learned he would be inheriting the farm to ensure its continued viability. With time, his siblings reluctantly agreed the plan was for the best.

“Dad and Mom sat them down and explained, ‘You have your livelihoods and you’re going to have your retirement, and this will be Glen’s retirement,’” Glen recalled.

Decades from now, another round of succession planning will likely be in store for Melanie and Aaron Larson, who are raising three boys on the farm.

"I see in this world there is no better place for them to grow up than right here, which means there’s probably no better place for my grandkids to grow up than here and no better place for their grandkids to grow up,” Aaron said. 

Learning to communicate

Succession planning courses typically last a total of six hours, spread over multiple sessions to allow families time to complete homework. Extension recommends that families participate together, so each member hears the same message. Glen and Julia Merrill participated in the training with Melanie and Aaron Larson.

“It helps you open up your communication, and nothing is harder when getting started than having that communication,” Glen said. “You get to know each other’s goals and desires.”

To Aaron, the training affirmed that his family was on the right course with its approach to succession planning, and he believes it made them more confident in taking the next steps.

“When we first started, communication wasn’t too good, but it got better, and once communication improved, it made it a lot easier,” Aaron said.

UI Extension’s eastern Idaho succession planning team includes a breadth of expertise and diverse backgrounds. The Extension team includes educators Shannon Williams, Lemhi County; Joseph Sagers, Jefferson County; David Callister, Butte County; Bracken Henderson, Franklin County; Jared Gibbons, Madison County; Lance Hansen, Madison County; and Steve Hines, Jerome County.

Extension also offers succession planning in other regions of the state, including northern and southern Idaho, and has experts on staff who specialize in small farms planning. Colby Field, an area Extension educator specializing in risk management, provides statewide support on succession planning and has also been active in the eastern Idaho team’s efforts.

“The Extension team did a great job and helped us to get the courage to start those communications and get something done,” Glen said. “You can’t delay it. One of the hardest things is starting the process.”