Seventy percent of the farmland in the United States will be transferred to the next generation in the next 15 years.

Do you want to learn about ways to transfer a farm to family members or to new farmers? Are you interested in getting started in farming?

Pennsylvania Farm Link and Penn State Extension are hosting a farm succession planning workshop on Jan. 19 at the Westmoreland County Extension Office in the Donohoe Center, located off of Route 30 in Greensburg. The workshop will also be offered on Feb. 9 at the Mercer County Extension Office, located along Route 19 north of Mercer.

Individuals who want to learn ways to successfully transfer their farm to family members or those wanting to locate interested beginning farmers are urged to attend. Beginning farmers, or people who are new to farming, are also urged to attend to discuss ways to gradually develop a farm business.

Speakers from Pennsylvania Farm Link, Penn State Extension, Farm Credit, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will cover topics such as "Family Decisions in a Farm Transfer," "Business Planning for a Transition," "Financing New Farmers," "Farmland Preservation," and "Estate Planning."

This workshop is free to interested individuals, however registration is recommended. Registration for the Greensburg workshop is requested by Jan. 17; the Mercer deadline is Feb. 6.

For a copy of the workshop brochure and registration information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview complex.