Saturday, April 27, 2013 Ties to the Land:  Planning for the Future of Your Woodlands; A Facilitated Workshop on Succession Planning, Keeping Family Forests and Farms in the Family From 9am-4:30pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Saratoga County, 50 West High St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020. REGISTRATION FEE:  $40 per registrant, $10 per each additional family member.  Fee includes refreshments, lunch, and all workshop materials including a copy of the workbook & DVD  (one per family), Ties to the Land: Your Family Forest Heritage. TO REGISTER on-line, please visit: http://ccecapitalregion.org/calendarevents.aspx , and click on the workshop date (April 27, 2013) tab.  If registering by mail, contact CCE Warren County 518-623-3291 or 668-4881.

The workshop will explore Succession Planning -- the human side of estate planning.  It will focus on maintaining family ties to the land from generation to generation, building awareness of the key challenges facing private woodland owners, and farmers, as well as motivating families to address the challenges. This interactive workshop is facilitated by Dr. Shorna Broussard Allred of Cornell University Cooperative Extension, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Warren and Saratoga Counties, and the Southeastern Adirondack Chapter of the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA), providing effective tools families can use to decide the future of their land. 

During the first half of the workshop, participants will gain information about the basics of succession planning, overcoming communications issues, and will learn about the elements and structure of a succession plan.  The second half of the workshop focuses on specific tools that can be used in implementing a succession plan and will include panel presentations and discussions with local land trusts, tax attorney, and land owner —all with experience helping woodland owners plan for the future of their land.  This workshop coaches families in developing the techniques and communications skills they need to address the tough issues and decide the future of their land.  Topics include:

•Key legacy planning challenges, and tools to deal with them

•Determining your heirs’ interest

•Clarifying your values and goals

•Steps to succession planning

•Organizing effective family meetings

•Legal and financial instruments