From the Pages of Farmer’s Pride: Sheldon McKinney’s Op Ed

This spring on the Growing Kentucky’s Leaders podcast, we hosted one of the most meaningful, heartfelt, and vital conversations we have had in the last two and a half years of producing our show. Our episode with Spencer Guinn and Hunter Anne Mattingly from the Kentucky Center for Agriculture & Rural Development (KCARD) has truly stayed with me. They are leading the Kentucky Agri Legacy Solutions Program, serving as personal guides through the Kentucky Farmland Transition Program.

They have the challenging task of initiating difficult conversations with farmers and their families, guiding them toward a sustainable transition plan. For many, farmland transition is the “elephant in the room”, a topic weighing on everyone’s mind but frequently avoided. Even in our podcast episode, you can feel the underlying discomfort. Planning for the future of a farm is deeply emotional and generational, and the stakes have never been higher for Kentucky agriculture.

If landowners and families want to keep their land in production, a concrete plan is essential. Spencer and Hunter Anne meet folks where they are, learning about each farm’s unique history, family dynamics, and future aspirations. They help navigate the conversations you might not be sure how to start, and best of all, this service is provided at no cost.

A staggering 67% of Americans pass away without an estate plan, leaving their families and assets in limbo and creating an unnecessary financial and emotional burden during a time of grief. It is a loving, brave, and responsible act to ensure your family is protected by making a plan today.

The Kentucky FFA Foundation is committed to being part of the solution. We are pleased to share a new planned giving option that allows anyone to create a legal will for free. Every adult should have a will, and experts recommend revisiting it every three to five years or after major life events, such as purchasing property, getting married, welcoming a child, or inheriting assets.

Creating your will through Kentucky FFA’s LifeLegacy platform is designed to be clear, secure, and approachable. While the process is thorough, ensuring your wishes are handled with the care they deserve, we break everything down into manageable steps. The platform walks you through the process privately and at your own pace with thoughtful prompts. Once completed, you will receive a downloadable, state-specific will with clear instructions on how to make it official.

There are incredible, free tools available right here in Kentucky to help you preserve your legacy and your land. Please take that brave step forward today and make a plan for tomorrow.

You can explore Kentucky FFA’s LifeLegacy platform at kyffa.org by selecting “Plan My Gift.”