JAN 23, 2026: CAMROSE, AB – Farm Succession Planning: Stories, Strategies, and Shared Learning

You are invited to join Young Agrarians and the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities on January 23, 2026 for a Farm Succession Planning day in Camrose, Alberta! 

As Alberta’s farming population ages and many families face questions about the future of their land, farm transition has become an urgent topic for many rural communities. This event will bring together established farmers, new and aspiring producers, transition experts, and community members to explore lessons learned and best practices around farm transitions. Attendees will have a chance to learn about new research around succession planning, hear about the lived experiences of local farmers, and gain practical tools to help start the conversation, reduce uncertainty, and build the communication skills needed to move forward with a farm transition. 

What to Expect

• Annessa Good-Hassard will provide a keynote address about real strategies for making the transition to the next generation smoother and more successful (sponsored by AFSC)
• Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson will present new research on farm succession readiness, family communication, and rural mental health. Participants will be introduced to a practical framework they can use to assess their own readiness and better understand what supports they may need
• An interactive panel of farmers and transition experts highlighting farmer experiences in navigating the realities of transition. Bring your questions!
• A Farm Transition Café Workshop facilitated by Young Agrarians. This reflective workshop is designed for individuals who are either preparing to enter or exit a farm business. Participants will have the chance to develop their communication skills and their understanding of the dynamics involved in intergenerational farm transition and land sharing. 
• Delicious lunch and snack curated by local food artisans

We hope you can join us!

WHEN: January 23, 2026 | 9am – 4pm

LOCATION: Treaty 6 Territory | Mayer Family Community Hall, Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre – 4501 – 50th Street Camrose, AB T4V 5J1

COST: Tickets are free. If you would like to support our programming, a contribution can be made during the Eventbrite registration process.

REGISTER: Please register on Eventbrite to reserve your free spot. 

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event.

CARPOOLING: Folks will be travelling from all corners of Alberta and beyond to attend. If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please post in the Facebook event discussion to connect with others.

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at alex@youngagrarians.org

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Annessa Good-Hassard, Keynote Speaker 

Annessa Good-Hassard grew up on her family’s mixed farm and, together with her husband, has recently returned as successors of the operation. She has worked with more than 500 farm families, gaining a deep understanding of the complexities of intergenerational transition. Her career includes time with her family’s firm, GRS Consulting, alongside her father, Merle Good, and national experience with Farm Credit Canada’s Transition Team. With a deep love for agriculture and the people who carry it forward, Annessa founded Peak Heritage Consulting Ltd. to provide families with independent advice and support. She is also a Certified Family Enterprise Advisor.

Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, PhD, is an applied social psychologist and professor at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. Her work focuses on stress and resilience in rural and farming communities. She partners directly with producers, community organizations, and healthcare providers to turn research into practical, farm-informed solutions that support mental health and well-being in agriculture. Having lived and worked on farms, Dr. Rebecca is deeply passionate about supporting new and established producers and brings both professional and lived experience to her work. She is the provincial lead researcher of the Agricultural Well-being in Alberta (AgWellAB) initiative and a co-founder of AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network.

Farm Transition Café Workshop Panelists

Chella Ross of RedTail Ranch

Chella was raised on a sheep and grain farm in southern Alberta. She and her husband have been engaged in farming and ranching operations in Camrose for the past 14 years. With a background in recreation therapy, Chella is passionate about community and connections. She serves as the president of the St. Carlo Acutis Catholic High School’s School Council and is a leader of the Camrose 4-H Beef Club. As a proud farmer and Albertan, Chella is deeply appreciative of the significant contributions farmers make to the local community and rural Alberta.

Denis and Andrea Forstbauer of Grey Arrow Farm

Denis and Andrea are in the process of transitioning out of farming. For the past decade they ran Grey Arrow Farm where they grew over 50 types of vegetables and herbs on 2.5 acres of land and built a thriving CSA program. This last year they passed the farm onto other farmers, who will be continuing to grow beautiful produce for their community.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS 

This event is part of a two-day collaborative event by Young Agrarians and AgWellAB of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC), University of Alberta. Check out the Central Alberta Mixer on Sat, Jan 24th here.

AGWELLAB

AgWellAB is a recent initiative of the ACSRC, located at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus in Camrose. AgWellAB focuses on supporting the mental health and well-being of Alberta farmers and strengthening the rural communities they contribute to and depend on. Through applied research, outreach, and knowledge-sharing, AgWellAB addresses challenges such as farm stress, succession planning, agricultural identity, and access to mental health services, and is committed to advancing rural innovation, equity, and long-term sustainability through community-engaged research and action.

YOUNG AGRARIANS

Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada.

Our mission is to educate the public by providing courses, seminars, workshops, and counselling about agriculture, farming, food processing, entrepreneurship, community economic development and environmental sustainability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
• Please leave furry friends at home
• Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
• Please wash your shoes if you worked or visited a farm just before the event to limit the possible spread of bird flu
• Please do not bring alcohol/recreational substances to this event
• Please share this event with anyone who may be interested!

STAY IN TOUCH

• Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox.
• Join our Young Agrarians Alberta Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region
• We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting prairiesnetwork@youngagrarians.org
• Questions? Email Alex at alex@youngagrarians.org

SPONSORS

This event is sponsored by Agriculture Financial Services (AFSC), which provides Alberta’s farmers and agribusinesses with loans, crop insurance and farm income stabilization.