ARLINGTON – This spring, WSU Snohomish County Extension will present Ties to the Land, a workshop designed to help landowners plan for the future of their land and legacy.
Part one will be presented from 6 to 9:30 pm Thursday, March 11, and part two will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1 at Hadley Hall in the Arlington Boys & Girls Club, 18513 59th Ave N.E. in Arlington.
Studies show that more than 60 percent of landowners never discuss their plans for succession with anyone in their families. When planning for the future of family-owned forest and farmland, many people don’t consider that their future business partners are sitting down with them at the family dinner table.
Originally developed by landowners, extension agents, and business experts at Oregon State University, Ties to the Land explores succession planning—the “human side” of estate planning. The award-winning program stresses the importance of formulating a plan with the entire family, involving all generations in management decisions early on, and holding family meetings to understand everyone’s goals. Participants will learn how to start and continue the conversation, as well as gaining tips for guiding the process so that everyone feels part of the final result. In addition, estate-planning experts will help provide the voice of experience during a panel discussion at the second workshop.
Local landowners Don and Florence Theoe recently participated in the seminar and stress its importance.
“Talking about these tough issues as a family is critical, especially when multiple heirs with varying levels of interest and engagement in the family business are involved,” says Don Theoe. “The Ties to the Land workshop and associated materials provide excellent guidance on how to get these conversations going.”
Advance registration is required and class size is limited to 20 families. The cost for the two-part workshop is $75 per family. To register, contact Karie Christensen at 425-357-6039 or at klchristen@cahnrs.wsu.edu.
For more information, contact Kevin Zobrist at 425-357-6017 or email kzobrist@wsu.edu. You can also get more information and download a registration form at http://snohomish.wsu.edu/forestry/TTL2010.htm.