Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training

The UW-Madison Division of Extension in collaboration with the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN), offers the Certified Farm Succession Coordinator Training.

The economic future of our nation’s agriculture depends on the next generation’s ability to access land and business assets. Many farm and ranch operators are realizing the importance of creating a succession plan. Agriculture service professionals who work with these farms and ranches are recognizing that it takes more than a business structure or an estate plan to get those assets transferred to the next generation of managers. Succession planning also includes management transfer, inheritance issues and (surprise!) humans with emotions.

This training offers:

  • Insight on the tensions around farm succession
  • Strategies on working with families as they navigate farm succession,
  • Facilitation tools to guide the process,
  • Opportunities to consider real-life examples of farm succession case studies.

Instructors for this training are Kiley Fleming Ed. D., the Executive Director of the Iowa Mediation Service, and Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Succession Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. Fleming and Kirkpatrick have been instructors for this training since its inception in 2012. They offer over 45 years of combined succession planning experience to the training.

Digital Badge

Upon completion of the training, registrants are eligible to submit the certification exam to become a Certified IFTN Farm Succession Coordinator. Participants who successfully pass the exam will receive a digital badge verified through UW-Madison Division of Extension to show that they have developed the communication and strategic planning skills required to support the succession planning process.

The digital badge is valid for 3 years. Completing additional continuing education credits as required by the IFTN will extend the digital badge along with the IFTN certification.

You can read more information about digital badges at UW-Madison and the CFSC digital badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend?

Anyone who wants to learn how to facilitate conversations around farm/ranch succession planning.

What does certification mean?

Participants who pass the exam can be listed on the IFTN website as a coordinator. Coordinators can use the designation in their bios, email signatures, etc. Certification does not mean you are now trained to teach others to be farm succession coordinators.

After I’m certified, I’m certified forever, right?

Well, actually, no. Certified coordinators are required to collect 30 continuing education credits or points every three years to keep their certification. While 30 points sound like a lot, it is over a 3-year period and IFTN has developed several professional development opportunities and activities for coordinators to build their points.

  • Attend the IFTN annual professional development conference, which provides 10 points. You can get 20 of your points this way over the 3-year period. The conference alternates between in-person and virtual. The 2024 conference is scheduled to be in-person.
  • Participate in IFTN-sponsored webinars and receive 1-3 points per webinar (dependent on length). You can get 10 points through IFTN webinars over the 3-year period. Six IFTN webinars are offered each year. Even if you’re not a coordinator you can participate in these webinars. For more information on upcoming webinars go to the IFTN website.
  • Document your coordinator’s work with a farm business. Provide an overview of how you worked with the business in your coordinator role, without providing any identifying information. You can receive two points per farm business, with a maximum of 10 points over the 3-year period.
  • Non-IFTN-sponsored training may also be considered. The training must be in “the spirit” of the coordinator role. These require IFTN approval. The training information should be provided after attendance and the board will review submissions of this type two times a year. You can receive 1-3 credits each (dependent on length and topics that fit the coordinator role). You can receive a maximum 10 points over the 3-year period via non-IFTN sponsored training.

You do not have to be an IFTN member to retain certification; however, you do receive discounts on webinar registration fees and membership allows you to participate in membership meetings and run for the board.

Upcoming Trainings

In-person training: September 2026

WHEN: (all times are Central Time)

  • Monday, September 14, 2026, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 8:30 am – 12 pm

This training is limited to 30 participants to ensure a positive learning experience. Participants must attend all 2.5 days.

WHERE:

Pyle Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
702 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706

Parking information can be found at Parking at the Pyle Center.

LODGING: A block of hotel rooms are available for $159/night at the DoubleTree (525 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53703 USA). The hotel is a 10-15 minute walk (5 ½ blocks) from the Pyle Center. To reserve a room, head to this booking link. The booking deadline is August 29, 2026.

COST: Registration fees are $950/person on or before 11:59pm on August 7, 2026, and $1,050 after August 7, 2026. Use the code EARLY26 to get the early bird discount. The registration site will close on at 11:59pm on Friday, August 28, 2026. Registrations must be paid in full by August 28, 2026. Registration fee includes materials, live instruction and a 2026 – 2027 International Farm Transition Network membership. There are scholarships available for WI service providers who want to work with WI farmers on farm succession planning. An application form will be available soon.

Register for the September Training

CANCELLATIONS: A full refund will be issued if you cancel on or before August 7, 2026. A refund, minus a $150 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel after August 7, 2026 but before August 28, 2026.  No refunds will be given after Friday, August 28, 2026. Substitutions are welcome at any time, or your registration can be transferred for a future training date. If you receive a promotional discount for the registration for this session, the amount you paid can be credited to a future training date.  If the training is cancelled for any reason, your registration fee will be refunded. The meeting organizer is not responsible for the refund of any other costs.

Live virtual training: November 2026

WHEN: (all times are Central Time)

  • Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 10:00 am – 2 pm
  • Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10:00 am – 2 pm
  • Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 10:00 am – 2 pm
  • Thursday, November 12, 2026, 10:00 am – 2 pm

This virtual version of this training is limited to 20 participants to ensure a positive learning experience. Participants must attend all four virtual days. There will be homework assignments between the live Zoom training days.

COST: Registration fees are $950/person on or before 11:59pm on September 25, 2026, and $1,000 after September 25, 2026. The registration site will close on at 11:59pm on Friday, October 16, 2026. Registrations must be paid in full by October 16, 2026. Registration includes materials, live virtual instruction, and a 2026-27 International Farm Transition Network membership. Materials will be shipped to participants prior to the first live Zoom session. Organizations that register three or more people can receive a group discount of $50/per person. The group must be registered at the same time and paid for as a group.

Register for the November Training

CANCELLATIONS: A full refund will be issued if you cancel on or before September 25, 2026. A refund, minus a $150 cancellation fee, will be issued if you cancel after September 25, 2026 but before October 16, 2026.  No refunds will be given after Friday, October 26, 2026. Substitutions are welcome at any time or your registration can be transferred for a future training date. If the training is cancelled for any reason, your registration fee will be refunded. The meeting organizer is not responsible for the refund of any other costs.

Fill out the interest form below to be notified when the registration link is available. You can also use this interest form inf these dates don’t work for you to learn about future sessions.

Interest Form

Contact for the program

Joy Kirkpatrick
Farm Succession Outreach Specialist
University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension
608-263-3485
joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu