Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
With October slipping away I wanted to make sure and use these last few days to inform and maybe even spur a few of you on to make some decisions that will effect your legacy. October is National Estate Planning and Awareness Month.
Between weaning calves and wrapping up harvest, I can already hear the moans and groans of talking about this subject. But the truth is, if this subject continues to be avoided farm and ranch country suffers greatly!
When it comes to the future of the family farm or ranch, most people know they should have a plan in place — but too many believe a simple will or possibly a living trust is enough to keep things running smoothly through a transition. The truth is, transitioning a farm or ranch is more complicated than dividing up a bank account or a house. It’s an active family business, a legacy, and often, a big part of your family’s identity.
Whether you are the elder generation or the younger generation in the scenario, conversation need to start happening ASAP. There are trusted professionals that you already have in your circle of influence that want to sit down and make sure all parties are informed and engaged in this process. Your accountant, lender, lawyer, insurance agent, financial planner, and maybe even some clergy should be advised. But truly, there are professionals who want to answer your questions and give you comfort with your decisions. Come back tomorrow and I’m going to share the real and raw deal of what happens when there is NO estate planning in place for an ag operation.
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 4 children near Merriman, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Watching the cattle industry go the path that it has gone, she could no longer sit quietly at home checking cows, fixing fence, and doing all the everyday tasks wondering when some else was going to make it all better. As she became more active and outspoken on industry issues, she was asked to join the R-CALF USA staff in September 2020 as the Checkoff Petition Campaign manager. That position transcended into her former role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
Listen to Ranch Raised on a Your Ag Network hometown station or www.youragnetwork.com where she talks about her daily life on the Jones Ranch.
Cattle producers are her people. She will meet you at the county fair, at the sale barn, or anywhere the dusty trail leads.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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