Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project (FoxRAP), in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Renewing the Countryside, and Southwest Counseling, is launching a no-cost pilot program to help aging farmers navigate the technical and emotional complexities of a farm transition. The project, titled Holding Ground, Letting Go: A guided approach to farm transition and legacy supports farmers aged 58+ in east central Wisconsin.
Filling a Critical Gap in Farm Succession Support
Wisconsin faces a significant challenge as agricultural producers age. Many farm owners are approaching retirement age without concrete succession plans. This pilot program aims to create a replicable model that can be implemented across Wisconsin and potentially nationwide.
Farm transition technical assistance is often focused on legal and financial preparation. Our program follows this lead, offering valuable experience from professional service providers while also addressing the overlooked personal, identity-related barriers that can prevent older farmers from successfully transitioning their farms to the next generation. By taking a farmer-oriented approach with personalized support for each participant, successful farm transition outcomes are significantly more likely.
This holistic approach will make the process easier for all parties: farmers, families, and service providers.
Program Details
The pilot program is seeking participation from 30 producers aged 58 and older in the Upper Fox River watershed, which includes Green Lake County and Fond Du Lac County. Any other nearby farmers who are interested in farm transition planning are encouraged to attend, whether or not they have identified successors.
The program includes two in-person group workshops at American Legion Post 306 in Green Lake, Wisconsin—February 24 and March 31 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.—followed by personalized, one-on-one coaching and technical assistance from March to September 2026. (Lunch will be provided at both workshops).
The project team includes experienced farm transition specialists from FoxRAP, UW Extension, Renewing the Countryside, and Southwest Counseling. The program is free for participants with materials included, and offers significant value in education, service provider expertise, and technical assistance.
For more information, contact the Holding Ground, Letting Go project manager Bonnie Warndahl at bonnie@rtcinfo.org or 612.462.9311.
Funding for this project was provided by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under Award Number 25-6324-0255-102