Iowa State’s Ag-Link program will be helping students plan their futures in farming for the fourth year this January.

The program is designed to help families with intergenerational farms to think about the business and personal aspects involved with both farming and being a family, said Lynn Jones, associate professor of agricultural educations.

The Extension staff facilitating the event has worked with many families for years through their programs and the Beginning Farmer programs. Jones said they know from those experiences the common questions people ought to ask and the issues that need addressing in their farm businesses.

Erik Wangsness, senior in animal science, is a future farmer who will attend the program with his parents.

Wangsness said he will graduate in May and is looking for a nutritional consulting position. He said he hopes to return to his family’s third-generation farm near Decorah, Iowa, within the next year.

“I thought the program would be a good way to get relations started as a family,” Wangsness said. “It is a good idea for our farm, and we may learn ways to more-effectively manage it.”

Wangsness said the program will help determine if there is room for another employee on the farm. He said it will also help his family develop a low-cost plan to transfer the farm to him and possibly his younger brother.

Ag-Link helps families to know the legal, social and emotional aspects of the business, Jones said.

It provides a credible source to help families deal with intergenerational farming, including how to plan transfers, retirements, estates and strategic businesses.

Jones said in order to make those plans, individuals involved need to look at their visions of the farm operation.

“They also need to look at family communications, including resolving conflicts in business situations,” Jones said. “They are aware that family conflict is difficult, and like most of us, don’t feel comfortable dealing with it.”

The program is broken into two weekend sessions on Jan. 9-10 and March 13-14. This allows families time to do their “homework” and discuss their situations from the first session before returning to the final sessions.

Jones said she expects 40 to 50 people in the group, including 10 to 15 students and their parents, siblings, spouses and significant others.

Students from all colleges are invited to participate in the program.

Registration is open until Dec. 18. The cost is $50 for four participants and $10 for each additional participant.

The sessions include meals, breaks and a resource packet.

To register, students should contact ISU Extended and Continuing Education at 294-5961.