Farm Succession in Today’s Reality: Planning, Insurance, and Financial Clarity with Ken Doll
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Reference: Impact Farming
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Farm Succession in Today’s Reality: Planning, Insurance, and Financial Clarity with Ken Doll
In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy sits down with Ken Doll, Senior Financial Planner, for a practical and honest conversation about farm succession in today’s reality. With rising land values, multiple heirs, and more off-farm career paths than ever before, farm transition planning has become increasingly complex.
Together, Tracy and Ken walk through real-world scenarios farm families face, unpack the challenge of being cash poor and asset rich, and explain why life insurance and financial planning are often the missing link in protecting both the farm and family relationships. The goal of this episode is clarity, confidence, and encouragement — helping farm families move from overwhelm to action.
🔑 Episode Highlights
- How farm succession has shifted from “eldest son takes over” to today’s complex family dynamics
- Why being cash poor and asset rich creates major transition challenges
- Real-life farm succession scenarios and the risks tied to each
- The role life insurance plays in keeping farms intact and families whole
- Why financial planning must go beyond just a life insurance policy
- Where farm families should start when everything feels overwhelming
⏱️ Timestamps
[00:00] – Welcome to The Impact Farming Show & episode overview
[02:15] – Ken Doll’s background and why he works with farm families
[05:30] – How rising land values and career options changed succession planning
[10:45] – What “cash poor and asset rich” really means for farmers
[15:20] – Common farm succession scenarios and their hidden risks
[24:10] – Selling the farm vs. keeping it in the family
[30:00] – Why life insurance is a critical tool in transition planning
[38:40] – How insurance can create fairness without selling land
[45:10] – Is it ever too late to get life insurance?
[50:30] – Beyond insurance: tax, estate, and financial planning strategies
[58:00] – Where to start when succession planning feels overwhelming
[1:02:30] – Final thoughts and encouragement for farm families
[1:05:00] – How to connect with Ken Doll
Farm succession planning is not just about the farm — it’s about protecting your family, your legacy, and the business you’ve spent a lifetime building. If this episode brought up questions or conversations you’ve been avoiding, take that as your sign to start.
Connect with a qualified advisor, ask the hard questions, and begin planning before decisions are forced on you. Preparation is leadership — and the future of your farm depends on it.
👉 If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a farm family who needs to hear this conversation.
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🔗Show Resources:
Alberta Financial Planner | Fee-Only, Advice-Only Financial Planner
🌐 https://AlbertaFinancialPlanner.ca
📞 403.999.9450
✉️ Ken@AlbertaFinancialPlanner.ca
Wealth Architects® | Wealth, Tax & Estate Advisory
🌐 https://WealthArchitects.ca
📞 403.999.9450
✉️ Ken@WealthArchitects.ca
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About the Guest:
Kenneth Doll
BA, B.Comm., MA, CFP, CLU, TEP, ICD.D
I work closely with clients to identify unique financial, retirement, tax and estate planning solutions that help them build and protect their wealth, while also minimizing their tax. I am an advocate of holistic financial planning that not only encompasses a client’s financial situation, but also considers the importance of family dynamics and sensitive issues around wealth transfer.
For three decades, I have provided financial, retirement and estate planning solutions. I have worked with High Net Worth ($2M – $25M) and Ultra High Net Worth ($25M – $100M+) clients, including prominent families, professional athletes (NHL Hockey Players), executives, business owners, professionals, and farmers and ranchers.
I have also built financial plans for Canadians across the country, including those with property in the U.S.
My industry education includes earning the Certified Financial Planning (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations, along with having completed the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and the Canadian Investment Funds Course (IFIC).
I hold three degrees from the University of Alberta in business, economics and political science and has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D).
I have served as an expert witness to the legal community on life insurance matters and conducted presentations on Investments, Insurance, Retirement Income Planning, Financial and Estate Planning and Philanthropy.
I have also been a longtime volunteer on the reglatuion side of the financial industry, where I have been involved in developing policy, enforcing advisor compliance and protecting client’s and consumer’s interests, first and foremost.
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* Disclaimer - As always, this information is not intended to provide business or medical advice. To ensure that your own circumstances have been properly considered and that action is taken based on the latest information available, you should obtain professional advice from qualified business or medical professionals before acting on any of the information in this post.
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The Impact Farming Show
Welcome to Impact Farming, Farm Marketer's video and audio show dedicated to helping Canadian farmers excel in the business of farming. Our goal with this show is to introduce our audience to the people and ideas that are going to make an IMPACT on their farming operation.
Show Host - Tracy Brunet
CEO of Farm Marketer
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Tracy and her husband are cattle ranchers in South East, Manitoba. As host of the show, primary producer and agvocate, Tracy is passionate about helping farmers succeed in the business of farming.
In each episode, Tracy chats with today's most successful farm advisors and industry leaders to bring our audience the best and most important ideas.
Connect with Tracy Brunet - Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Linked in
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