MFU members attend NFU Convention
hometownsource. com / heartland / Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, April 19, 2026 Page 25
When should farmers retire?
BY WYATT FRAAS CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS
Retirement from a farm business may not mean moving away or giving up on mentoring the next generation, but it does entail transferring management decisions to someone else. It can be a gradual or sudden process. It may be driven by long-term goals, by sudden health issues, or events outside your family.
When should farmers retire? The answer is related to choices and goals, and can happen at any time. While many can’ t imagine doing anything else except farming, their families may have other ideas and want to share more time with them. Discussions with your family can help design the retirement process.
Allan Nation, late editor of Stockman Grassfarmer magazine, observed that a farmer or rancher is at his peak combination of labor, innovation, and management skills at age 50.
To maintain or grow the farm business after 50 can require an additional infusion of labor and maybe of innovation. That often means a young partner with energy and new ideas. Such a partnership process can greatly improve the income of the business, which may be the means to fund retirement savings after a lifetime of investing in farm assets.
A farm or ranch owner can look for someone to work into the business at any time, but a planned process will take several years of testing the relationship, training to the uniqueness of the business, and a gradual shifting of management.
Add ample time for readying the business framework for this transition and for selecting the best candidate. A descriptive timeline, of perhaps five years, and a written agreement can reassure both parties of a smooth transition and steady progress toward their goals.
Helping you grow more than crops.
MFU members attend NFU Convention
NEW ORLEANS – Minnesota Farmers Union( MFU) members were in New Orleans March 7-9 for the 124th anniversary convention of National Farmers Union( NFU) where 500 farmers and ranchers from throughout the nation gathered to set the organization’ s 2026 policy.
The finalized policy priorities approved by NFU’ s delegates include three special orders of business on timely topics: Family Farmers, the Farm Crisis and the Future of Food and Farm Policy; Family Farming and the Roots of Our Democracy, and Family Farming and Dairy Policy Reform. Morrison County Farmers Union member Nate Rudolph served on the NFU Policy Committee along with members from several other states.
“ I truly enjoyed it. We had a great group too,” Rudolph said.“ Everybody connected so well, respected everyone else’ s opinions and engaged in healthy discussions. I would encourage people to get involved in the policy process at their state level. It’ s not for everybody but it takes everybody to make it work and have a policy that is reflective of the membership.”
MFU President Gary Wertish of Renville County, MFU Vice President Anne Schwagerl of Big Stone County, MFU State Secretary Melissa Bakker Roach of St. Louis County, and Executive Committee members Carol Anderson of Benton County, Ted Winter of Nobles County, Linda Larson of Dakota County and Josh VanDerPol of Chippewa County served as NFU Convention delegates along with MFU members Hannah Bernhardt of Pine County, Sam Birkholz of Chisago County, Russell Derickson of Cottonwood County, Ken Griebel of Brown County, Larry Jacobson of Clay County, Todd Leiding of Fillmore County, Dana Seifert of Scott County, Steven Sparby of Marshall County, James Van- DerPol of Chippewa County, and Harmon Wilts of Swift County.
“ Thank you to the many members who represented Minnesota Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union Convention,” Wertish said.“ The policy debate was meaningful, and I was proud of how we as Minnesotans advocated for policy that will help not only family farmers, but also members of our communities. It was fitting that we honored Paul Sobocinski this convention as he has spent more than 40 years advocating for family farmers and rural communities. Lastly, congratulations to all the county organizations that won national Leadership Awards. It is your dedication and continued efforts that bring people together and form the deep roots of our grassroots organization.”
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