Understanding Farmers’ Readiness to Develop a Succession Plan: Barriers, Motivators, and Preliminary Recommendations

Although succession planning benefits workforce development, rural economic stability, and the sustainability of a farm, few farmers in Canada have a written succession plan. As the farming population ages and fewer people enter the profession, understanding what promotes farmers to prepare succession plans is essential. Our study aimed to understand (a) the priorities farm operators have for developing a succession plan, (b) the factors that delay or motivate succession planning, and (c) the resources that would be helpful for creating a succession plan. Using dyadic multiple case study methodology, we interviewed 35 participants from 16 farms in Alberta, Canada. The thematic analysis revealed seven themes influencing decisions to develop a succession plan: legacy and identity, physical health, government policies, farm growth, professional guidance and expertise, family dynamics, and farm culture norms. From the themes, two overarching variables—risk perception and self-efficacy—shaped farmers’ readiness for succession planning and informed the development of the Farm Succession Readiness Framework. This framework categorizes farmers into four types: Active Planners, Succession Avoiders, Back Burners, and End-of-the-Line Farmers. Farm succession planning is complex and multifaceted, and our findings may assist advisors, policymakers, and researchers in understanding farmers and tailoring interventions to meet their needs.