10/20/2008
K-State Research and Extension
Bill R. Fuller, State Executive Director of the USDA Kansas Farm Service Agency announced today that Donald Jonovic, Ph.D. will be the featured speaker at the NE Kansas Family Farmers & Ranchers Conference - Planning For The Next Farming
Generation to be held on Friday, January 9, 2009 in Marysville, Kansas.

Are you involved in a family farming operation?  Are your family's expectations realistic for the operation?  Have you planned properly for the future of your farm?  What happens to the farm when you are gone? What are the tax complications?

Fuller encourages farmers and ranchers in northeast Kansas, especially in Marshall, Nemaha and Washington counties to attend this conference to learn more about strategies for a successful family farming operation, estate planning and changing tax laws, and USDA farm bill changes.

Dr. Jonovic of Family Business Management Services, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, is a well known author, speaker, and advisor to business owners since 1973.  His management column in Successful Farming Magazine reaches more than 1 million readers each month since 1984.  Dr. Jonovic will provide strategies for Surviving Family Farming Whitewater.

Terry Arthur, General Counsel for Kansas Farm Bureau and partner at Arthur Green, will discuss How to Plan Your Estate to Take Advantage of Changing Tax Law and to Insure a Smooth Transfer of Assets to the Next Generation.

USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide a briefing on Farm Bill changes that affect your operation.

This conference is free to all attendees.  A free catered lunch will be provided.  To arrange for conference materials and the meal, pre-registration is required before December 24 by contacting one of these USDA FSA offices - Marshall County at 785-562-5343, Nemaha County at 785-336-2164 or Washington County at 785-325-2253.  Space is limited. Additional information can be obtained on the web at
www.fsa.usda.gov/ks.

This one day conference will be held on Friday, January 9, 2009 at St. Gregory's Catholic School auditorium, 207 N. 14th  Street, Marysville, Kansas.  The conference will start at 9:00 a.m., with registration at 8:30 a.m.  Persons with disabilities who require accommodation to attend or participate in this event should contact Trish Halstead at 785-539-3533 or email trish.halstead@ks.usda.gov by December 19.

The following sponsors are making this event possible: USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service; Bankers from Marshall, Nemaha and Washington Counties; Farm Bureau in Marshall, Nemaha and Washington Counties; Extension Service in Marshall County, River Valley District and Meadowlark District; Conservation Districts in Marshall, Nemaha and Washington Counties; Marysville FFA Chapter; and St. Gregory's Catholic School.