DES MOINES, IA, March 2026. Rena Striegel, President of Transition Point Business Advisors, is highlighting a shift she sees across family agriculture. The next generation of farm leaders is highly motivated to contribute to the future of their operations, yet many are seeking greater clarity around their role and long-term opportunities within the family business.
After more than two decades advising multi-generational agricultural families, Striegel has observed that succession discussions often focus heavily on ownership structure while overlooking the equally important issue of leadership development.
The Next Generation Is Thinking About the Future
In conversations with younger farmers, Striegel sees a strong commitment to sustaining the operations built by previous generations. Many have returned to the farm with new skills, education, and ideas about how the business can evolve.
However, these next-generation leaders often struggle with uncertainty about where they fit within the long term vision of the operation. Without clear communication about leadership expectations and growth opportunities, they may feel unsure about how their contributions will shape the farm’s future.
Striegel believes that addressing these questions early can help strengthen both the business and family relationships.
Leadership Transition Matters as Much as Ownership
While ownership transfer receives significant attention in succession planning, leadership development is sometimes treated as a secondary issue. In Striegel’s experience, this imbalance can create challenges during generational change.
Ownership may transfer through legal agreements, but leadership requires preparation, trust, and experience built over time. Farms that intentionally develop leadership capacity within the next generation often experience smoother transitions when responsibilities eventually shift.
“One of the most encouraging things I see in agriculture is the commitment the next generation has to the future of their family operations,” Striegel said. “When families intentionally create space for the next generation to grow into leadership, it strengthens both the farm and the family.”
Creating Opportunities for Emerging Leaders
Many younger farmers are eager to participate more actively in strategic decisions, operational planning, and long-term innovation. According to Striegel, providing opportunities for gradual leadership development allows families to build confidence across generations.
This can include involving the next generation in management discussions, encouraging them to lead specific projects, or gradually increasing their responsibility within the operation. Over time, these experiences help prepare future leaders while maintaining the business’s continuity.
Through her work at Transition Point Business Advisors, Striegel helps agricultural families structure conversations about leadership readiness, succession planning, and the evolving role of the next generation.
Strengthening the Future of Family Farms
As agriculture continues to evolve, Striegel believes the success of many family operations will depend on how effectively leadership is passed from one generation to the next.
Encouraging early involvement, open communication, and clear expectations can help ensure that younger farmers are prepared to lead when the time comes.
More information about leadership development and succession planning resources from Transition Point Business Advisors is available at https://transitionpointba.com. Rena Striegel also shares insights and educational resources through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Rena Striegel
Rena Striegel is the President of Transition Point Business Advisors and one of the leading authorities in agricultural and family business succession planning. With more than twenty years of experience advising multi-generational families across the United States, she is known for addressing the human dynamics that determine the success or failure of a transition. Raised on a dairy farm in Iowa, she brings real-world insight, deep empathy, and a proven process that helps families move from conflict and uncertainty to clarity and alignment. She is the creator of The DIRTT Project and host of the Ag Inspo podcast.
About Transition Point Business Advisors
Transition Point Business Advisors specializes in succession planning for agricultural and family-owned businesses. The firm provides structured facilitation, communication alignment, and leadership readiness support to guide families through ownership transitions with clarity, confidence, and continuity.
