East Gippsland Shire Council is helping farmers tackle farm succession by hosting The Succession Expo: Family, Farm, Finance, Future, in Omeo on Tuesday 14 February and Buchan on Wednesday 15 February.

The keynote speaker will be Sam Marwood, founder of social enterprise Cultivate Farms, who will share innovative approaches to farm succession planning and community revitalisation.

East Gippsland farmers have said succession is a key area where support is needed. The succession process includes matters relating to land assets, business structures, retirement and pensions. It also requires difficult conversations about the needs of family members.  

Mayor, Cr Mark Reeves welcomed the opportunity for farmers to gain insight and tips about succession planning and how to overcome common problems.

“Across rural East Gippsland, succession challenges and the high cost of getting started as a new farmer has seen many of our farming communities age and shrink. It can be tough to have succession conversations, but The Succession Expo will bring together the people and ideas we need to achieve the right outcomes for families and our communities,” Cr Reeves said.

In addition to Sam Marwood’s keynote address, the events, in partnership with Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland, Gippsland Community Legal Service, ConnectWell, and Agriculture Victoria, will deliver speakers on topics including financial and legal considerations, wills and power of attorney, and pension matters.

Tickets are on sale via TryBooking with a discount for farm businesses and family groups.