Completed Project Report


Retired Farmers - An Elusive Concept? Addressing Real and Perceived Barriers to Farmer Retirement

  • Award Amount: $49,780
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2011 Unrestricted Grants
  • Project Director: Joy Kirkpatrick
  • Email: joy.kirkpatrick@ces.uwex.edu
  • Organization: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Center for Dairy Profitability

Extension RME Regional Centers
Extension Risk Management Education Region Map

Project Overview

Recognizing when to step away from the business can be difficult to discern. Lack of retirement planning and dependency on the farm for income into the retirement years are two major reasons to delay planning. However, these reasons can be used as a shield to avoid facing the emotional issues, such as losing a sense of identity and the emotional ties connected to the farming business. The project team used farm couples’ concerns and educational needs for retirement planning along with research on behavior economics to design a high-tech, high-touch educational program. The project addressed the financial and emotional issues surrounding farmers’ retirements. This program reached 132 farmers with workshops and financial coaching opportunities. Evaluations indicated as a result of the program participants have examined their retirement lifestyles, family living needs and income sources. They have taken steps to meet with professionals on their retirement and estate plans.

Number of Participants: 132

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

DESCRIBE ANY UNEXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE PROJECT IF YOU WERE TO DO IT AGAIN?

WHAT WERE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR YOUR PARTICIPANTS?

INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES