SALISBURY — It’s never too early to plan for the future of your family farm or business. Developing a business succession plan is essential to keep your land within the family or in agriculture. To help farm owners navigate this critical process, the Rowan County Farm Bureau, N.C. Cooperative Extension, N.C. Farm Link and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce are hosting the “Cultivating a Legacy” conference, featuring renowned speaker Jolene Brown. 

Brown, a passionate advocate for agriculture, brings real-life experience, humor and invaluable insight to audiences worldwide. This two-day conference will be held at the Rowan Community Center in Salisbury on March 20-21. The cost is $199 per person.

Why attend? 

The best way to transfer a family farm or business can differ from one family to another, which is why the first step in creating an effective farm succession plan is to define your goals based on your priorities. Are you looking to keep your land in the family? Do you have a vision for how it should be used in the future? Are there charitable causes you’d like to support through your estate? These are just a few of the key considerations that will be covered during the conference. 

A highlight of the event is the Family Business Planning Key Advisors Panel, featuring a CPA, lawyer and financial planner. This session will provide expert guidance on crucial topics, including retirement planning, health crises, long-term care and estate planning. 

Doug Patterson, vice president of Patterson Farm, Inc., emphasizes the importance of early succession planning: 

“A farm isn’t just a business — it’s a legacy. Without a clear succession plan, the future becomes uncertain. This conference is a great chance to start that conversation and make smart decisions that will keep your farm thriving for generations” 

Day 2: Putting it all together 

The second day of the conference will focus on estate planning and how to piece everything together. It will help you identify the questions to ask when hiring a lawyer, CPA, or financial planner, as well as how to engage family members in meaningful discussions about the future.

For more information and to register, go to http:/go.ncsu.edu/rowanlegacy2025, or call the Rowan County Extension Center at 704-216-8970.