New FoxRAP Program Supports Older Farmers Farm Transition

By Blake Jackson

Foxhead Regenerative Agriculture Project (FoxRAP), working alongside the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Renewing the Countryside, and Southwest Counseling, is introducing a new pilot initiative designed to support older farmers as they plan for farm transition and legacy.

The no-cost program, titled Holding Ground, Letting Go: A Guided Approach to Farm Transition and Legacy, is geared toward producers aged 58 and older in east central Wisconsin.

As Wisconsin’s farm population continues to age, many producers are nearing retirement without clear succession strategies in place. This pilot effort seeks to address that growing challenge by developing a farmer-centered model that can eventually be expanded across the state and beyond.

While traditional transition planning often focuses on legal and financial steps, this program also tackles the emotional, personal, and identity-related hurdles that can make farm succession difficult.

Participants will receive a combination of technical guidance and personal support tailored to their individual situations. By recognizing that farm transition is not only a business decision but also a deeply personal process, the program aims to improve outcomes for farmers, families, and the professionals who assist them.

The pilot is open to 30 producers aged 58 and older located in the Upper Fox River watershed, including Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties. Farmers from nearby areas are also welcome to participate, regardless of whether they have already identified a successor.

The program begins with two in-person workshops at American Legion Post 306 in Green Lake, scheduled for February 24 and March 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch provided. These sessions will be followed by individualized coaching and technical assistance from March through September 2026.

Participation is free and includes all materials, expert instruction, and one-on-one support. Interested farmers can register online, and additional information is available through project manager Bonnie Warndahl at bonnie@rtcinfo.org or 612.462.9311.

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