Webinar
Protecting Your Legacy: Farm Transition, Succession, and Estate Planning
This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Southern Risk Management Education Center
About this webinar
Planning for the future of an agricultural operation requires thoughtful preparation, clear communication, and an understanding of the legal tools available to protect your family, assets, and legacy. Join Native Agriculture Financial Services (NAFS) for Protecting Your Legacy: Farm Transition, Succession, and Estate Planning, an educational webinar designed to help agricultural producers navigate the important decisions involved in transferring farm and ranch operations to the next generation. Participants will learn about key components of successful transition planning, including succession strategies, estate planning considerations, legal documents, and methods for reducing potential conflicts and risks during the transition process. The session will also explore the importance of early preparation, communication among family members, and working with trusted professionals to develop a plan that supports the long-term success of the operation. Whether you are preparing to transition your operation, taking over a family farm or ranch, or looking to better understand estate planning options, this webinar will provide practical guidance to help protect your agricultural legacy for generations to come.

Ridge Howell, JD
Legal Counsel
Ridge Howell, JD, is a citizen of the Muscoee (Creek) Nation and currently serves as Legal Counsel of NAFS. Prior to joining NAFS, Ridge served as Counsel to the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC). While at IAC, he helped coordinate outreach and technical assistance to Native producers eligible to apply for the USDA’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), a program that Congress authorized in Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act for the purpose of providing financial assistance to ranchers, farmers, and forest landowners determined to have experienced discrimination in USDA lending programs. During his tenure at IAC, Ridge also oversaw in-house legal matters, educated policymakers on issue areas determined by the IAC Board of Directors, and collaborated with industry partners on various policy briefings related to tribal agriculture.
Before entering the non-profit sector, Ridge worked as an Associate Attorney for Pipestem Law, P.C., a private practice law firm specializing in representation of tribal governments, tribal enterprises, and Native organizations with an emphasis on litigation in tribal, state, and federal courts. Ridge joined Pipestem Law following his graduation from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. While in law school, Howell co-founded the Agriculture Law Association, served as the Editor-in-Chief of the American Indian Law Review, and as the Vice-President of the Native American Law Student Association. In addition to scholarships and honors received during his academic career, Ridge was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change.
Ridge maintains his herd of cattle in Checotah, Oklahoma, a few miles south of where he grew up helping his family operate a commercial cattle ranch.
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