Overcoming Resistance in Farm Transition Planning
Friday, November 7, 2025
Reference: Impact Farming
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Overcoming Resistance in Farm Transition Planning
Transitioning the family farm is one of the most emotional and complex challenges farm families face. It’s not just about numbers or paperwork — it’s about people, relationships, and navigating the tough conversations that come with change.
In this episode, Tracy sits down with Trevor MacLean, Agriculture and Business Advisor with MNP, to explore the human side of succession planning and what it really takes to move from gridlock to progress. Drawing on his extensive experience working with farm families across Canada, Trevor unpacks the emotional resistance, family tensions, and questions of fairness that often arise during transition and shares practical strategies for building understanding, trust, and forward momentum.
Whether you’re at the start of your transition journey or already in the thick of it, this conversation offers grounded insights to help your family approach farm transition with more clarity and confidence.
🌾 Episode Highlights
- The emotional and relational complexity behind farm transition
- What “resistance” looks like and why it’s so common in farm families
- Common sources of family tension: fairness, control, and “letting go”
- How to move conversations forward when emotions run high
- Patterns and pitfalls that can stall progress in transition planning
- What successful transition-minded families do differently
- How successors can prepare personally and professionally for leadership
- Why transition is an ongoing process, not a one-time event
- What to expect from Trevor’s upcoming session at Farm Management Canada’s AgExcellence Conference
⏰Timestamps
[0:00] – Introduction
[2:45] – About Trevor and his role at MNP
[4:45] – Why farm transition is so emotionally complex
[8:22] – Understanding resistance in transition
[16:50] – Strategies to move past gridlock
[22:38] – Common pitfalls in transition planning
[24:35] – What successful families do differently
[33:00] – Inside Trevor’s AgEx session: key takeaways
[37:30] – How can farm successors do to prepare?
[42:19] – Closing thoughts and thank yous
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You…
- Are starting to think about transition planning for your farm
- Are stuck in emotional or communication challenges within the family
- Want to understand both the business and human sides of succession
- Are looking for practical ways to move forward with less conflict
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🔗RESOURCES:
MNP Transition Planning Services -
🌐 https://www.mnp.ca/en/clients/agriculture/transitionsmart
AGEX Conference -
🌐 https://site.pheedloop.com/event/AgEx2025/home
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Thank You to our Show Sponsor
Here at The Impact Farming Show, our goal is to bring our audience the people and ideas that will IMPACT their farming operation. We couldn't do it without the continued support of our sponsors that are committed to supporting our show and our shared vision of helping farmers succeed.
Please take a moment to check out this week's show sponsor: Black Earth A WestMet Group Company
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About the Guest:
Trevor MacLean MBA, BMgtAgricultural and Business Advisor / MNP
Trevor MacLean, MBA, BMgt, is a Partner with MNP’s Agriculture team in Lethbridge. Trevor provides business and advisory services to agricultural producers and agribusinesses across Western Canada, delivering creative, customized and practical solutions to help his clients achieve their goals and enhance their success.
A Partner, Trevor brings more than two decades of experience to his role. He identifies the issues and develops tailored solutions for managing risk, improving performance and seizing emerging opportunities.
With a strong background in agribusiness and financial services, Trevor brings a unique and balanced perspective that allows him to fully understand his clients’ business. He works closely with his clients and draws on MNP’s broad-based team expertise to help his clients navigate their challenges and achieve their goals.
Trevor holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Management (BMgt) from the University of Lethbridge in accounting and co-op education. Trevor is committed to the local and agricultural community. His involvement includes volunteering as director with the Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association, as past chairman of the Animal Nutrition Association Alberta Division and director of Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, among others.
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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
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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.
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