As many farming families across Ireland face the challenges of generational transfer, Teagasc is stepping forward with its Transferring the Family Farm Clinics. Ciara Collins tells us more.

Six clinics will be held around the country this Autumn to assist farming families in navigating the often challenging farm succession process due to shifting demographics, legal frameworks, tax implications and changing family dynamics. The family farm is more than just land and livestock, it’s a lifestyle, and often the heart of a family’s identity. Transferring the family farm is no simple matter, it requires careful planning, open communication and a solid understanding of the legal, financial, and emotional implications.

Planning Is Key

Beyond the legal and financial complexities, transferring a family farm is an emotional journey. For the farmer, letting go can be difficult. The farm may represent decades of hard work, sacrifice, and personal identity. For the incoming generation, stepping into leadership can be both exciting and daunting. Acknowledging these emotions and supporting each other through the transition is essential. Retirement planning for the farmer and leadership development for the next generation can ease this process.

A common error made by farm families is to put off starting the transfer process for too long. Planning for a farm transfer should ideally start years in advance, if not decades. A hasty or unplanned transfer may lead to disputes within the family, legal issues, or even the farm’s complete loss. Early planning allows families to decide how to distribute assets, who will take over the farm, and what tasks each member will play. The transfer’s financial cost can be lessened by implementing succession planning tools and tax solutions.

What to expect?

These clinics are half day events. A brief presentation is given to attendees at the beginning, covering the essentials of farm transfer, including what should be considered, potential regulations, the implications for taxes and inheritance, the function of family mediation, and collaborative agreements. One of the clinic’s main advantages is that farmers and their families may have private, one-on-one conversations with professional advisers.

This includes:

• Teagasc advisory and education staff – bring experience of the agricultural, financial, and practical on‑farm side of succession.
• DAFM staff  – DAFM schemes
• Tax specialists / Accountants – to help with understanding inheritance tax, capital gains, reliefs and how to structure transfers efficiently.
• Legal experts/solicitors – for wills, legal ownership, contractual agreements, and ensuring that all legal duties are understood.
• Mediators / family counselling professionals – to help resolve or mediate family issues that often arise around succession: roles, expectations, fairness, etc.
• Embrace Farm, Citizens Information Services

The goal is for each farming family that attends to leave with increased knowledge, confidence, and clarity regarding the legal, financial, and interpersonal aspects of farm transfer. You will be able to map out what possibilities are accessible to you and your family, as well as discover the practical steps for starting this conversation within the family.

Prior to the event

Here are some pointers to make the most of your time at this event:

• Involve all relevant family members, including the generation planning to retire/handover and the generation taking over.
• Consider your goals: where do you see the farm in the future? What approach do you prefer, a partnership or lease agreement, a gradual transfer, a sudden transfer, etc.
• Prepare your questions on legal rights, tax reliefs, inheritance issues, pension implications, successor education and training options, dispute resolution, etc.
• Book your seat in advance: Free of charge. Spaces are limited, so booking is required.

This event offers a crucial chance for farming families to plan, learn and begin the journey to a successful and long-lasting move. Whether you’re looking to step up, step away, or just understand your options, this event is sure to be beneficial.

For more information or to book a place, click here

Read more: A Guide to Transferring the Family Farm 2025