Farm Credit Sponsored Events & Programs

The Executive Program for Ag Producers (TEPAP)

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 
January 4-11, 2025 | San Antonio, Texas

This annual program provides training on financial management, succession planning and other business skills for farmers and ranchers age 35 or younger. 

Soybean Leadership Academy

American Soybean Association
January 8-10, 2025 | Orlando, Florida

Farm Credit sponsors ASA’s Soybean Leadership Academy, their conference for up-and-coming leaders in the organization. Our sponsorship level earns us a seat on the organization’s Industry Council, allowing opportunities to build deeper relationships with their board and staff. 

Beltwide Cotton Conference

National Cotton Council
January 14-16, 2025 | New Orleans, Louisiana 

Farm Credit is a Cotton Foundation industry partner, allowing us to foster relationships with National Cotton Council board members and staff. Farm Credit also sponsors NCC’s Beltwide Cotton Conference for cotton researchers, as well as the organization’s annual meeting. 

Wheat 101

National Wheat Foundation
January 15, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit participates in the National Wheat Foundation’s, “Wheat 101,” an educational event showcasing the many components of the wheat value chain and highlighting wheat’s significance to the economy to members of Congress and their staff. 

Ag Innovation Challenge

American Farm Bureau Federation
January 24-29, 2025 | San Antonio, Texas

Farm Credit sponsors and helps lead the Ag Innovation Challenge, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching food and agriculture businesses. The winner of the competition is announced each year at AFBF’s national convention. Farm Credit also sponsors AFBF’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership program, the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, works with AFBF on farm stress management initiatives, and sponsors AFBF’s Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. 

Young Dairy Leaders Institute

Holstein Foundation
January 27-30, 2025 | Tampa, Florida

This event is an annual national dairy leadership program open to producers ages 22-45. It takes place in three phases over 12 months and focuses heavily on training participants to engage with consumers about the benefits of dairy and modern livestock production. 

Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
February 12-14, 2025 | Brookings, South Dakota

This program consists of one national and four regional events for college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from record keeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions. 

Annual Meeting

National Cotton Council
February 14-16, 2025 | Dallas, Texas

Farm Credit is a Cotton Foundation industry partner, allowing us to foster relationships with National Cotton Council board members and staff. We also sponsor NCC’s Beltwide Cotton Conference for cotton researchers, and the organization’s annual meeting. 

Potato Industry Leadership Institute

Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF)
February 19 – 28, 2025 | Madison, WI and Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors the National Potato Council’s (NPC) Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation, the organization responsible for NPC’s Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute provides tools to help young growers and industry members develop as leaders and motivate them to commit their time and energy to the betterment of the U.S. potato industry. The Leadership Institute is an eight-day program that provides an overview of the U.S. potato industry, the challenges and issues beyond the production sector, and the roles of the industry’s state and national organizations in maintaining a positive business climate for potato growers. 

Winter Policy Conference

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
February 24-26, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit is a NASDA industry partner, allowing us to engage with state ag secretaries/commissioners/directors at a variety of events. As part of this event, Farm Credit sponsors students from the NASDA Next Gen program to attend the conference. Farm Credit also supports the NASDA Foundation’s programming.

USDA Ag Outlook Forum 

USDA Ag Outlook Forum 
February 27-28, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors undergraduate and graduate students from the 1890s and other land grant universities to attend USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Western Regional Dairy Challenge

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
February 27 – March 1, 2025 | California

This program consists of one national and four regional events attended by college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from record keeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions.

FUSION Conference

American Farm Bureau Federation
March 7- 10, 2025 | Denver, CO

Farm Credit sponsors the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) annual leadership conference which surfaces growth and development of young Farm Bureau members and provides opportunities and experiences to strengthen their leadership skills. Farm Credit also sponsors American Farm Bureau Federation’s FUSION Reimagined Conference, which brings together participants from the Young Farmers & Ranchers, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion & Education programs. 

Annual Convention

National Farmers Union
March 9-11, 2025 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Farm Credit supports NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute, Annual Convention, National Youth Leadership Camp, and Women’s Conference. Additionally, Farm Credit has supported NFU’s farm stress management work. 

Ag and Food Policy Summit

Agri-Pulse
March 17, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit. In addition to industry, this event involves members of Congress, congressional staff, and media and features discussions about current topics related to food and agriculture policy. The 2025 theme is: “Laying the groundwork for the next Farm Bill.”

Agri-Industry Council

National Corn Growers Association
March 20, 2025 | Washington, DC 

The Agri-Industry Council (AIC) provides a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. corn industry and agriculture. This group of agribusiness leaders meets twice a year. Farm Credit is a member of NCGA’s Agri-Industry Council (AIC).

National Conference and Farm Credit VIP Scholars Program

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
April 2-6, 2025 | Memphis, Tennessee

Farm Credit sponsors MANRRS’ annual conference for minority students interested in careers in agriculture, as well as programming for outstanding students who have expressed an interest in Farm Credit. Farm Credit VIP Scholars, selected by Farm Credit HR specialists, are celebrated at the conference, recognized on stage in front of over 2,000 peers, and each receive a $1,000 academic scholarship, $1,500 in travel compensation, and participate in the Farm Credit VIP track of the National MANRRS Conference. The VIP Scholars programming offers these students the opportunity to receive CliftonStrengths coaching, business etiquette training, and to hear from business leaders from the Farm Credit System.

National Dairy Challenge 

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
April 6-8, 2025 | Gainesville, Florida

This program consists of one national and four regional events attended by college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from record keeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions.

Annual Stakeholders Summit

Animal Agriculture Alliance
April 30 – May 2, 2025 | Arlington, Virginia

Farm Credit sponsors Animal Agriculture Alliance’s annual stakeholders’ summit. This event brings together key stakeholders from restaurant, retail and foodservice companies, farms and ranches, government agencies, agribusinesses, and agriculture and food associations to engage in discussions about animal agriculture. 

National Agriculture Mediators Conference

National Agriculture Mediators
April TBD, 2025 | TBD

Congress initiated a state-certified mediation programs for farmers and ranchers in the United States over 30 years ago to help producers manage debt challenges, USDA adverse decisions, organic certification and more. Later the program was expanded to cover lease discussions, farm transitions and neighbor disputes. Farm Credit will be represented on a panel of lenders to discuss how Farm Credit provides creative solutions to ag finance issues. 

National Farm Viability Conference

Agricultural Viability Alliance
TBD, 2026 | TBD

The Agricultural Viability Alliance hosts this conference, which gathers agricultural and business technical assistance professionals, industry experts and policy makers working in the broad area of farm viability, to share programs, initiatives, success stories, challenges and ideas for improvements, and to network with other professionals. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the conference. 

Washington Watch Issues Forum

National Association of Farm Broadcasters
May 5 – 7, 2025 | Washington, D.C. 

Farm Credit will be represented at NAFB’s policy-focused Washington Watch Issues Forum. Farm Credit’s support for NAFB ensures we also participate in the organization’s fall Trade Talk event, where System institutions make spokespersons available to speak with ag broadcasters from across the country. 

Farm Foundation

Farm Foundation Forum
TBD | Virtual

Listen and ask questions of a dynamic panel of agriculture professionals. Farm Credit partners with Farm Foundation on this informative webinar series. 

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

Young Cattlemen’s Conference

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
TBD, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference, an event fostering the next generation of beef industry leaders. We are also members of NCBA’s Allied Industry Council. 

Young Cooperators Meeting

National Milk Producers Federation
June 3-5, 2024 | Arlington, Virginia

Farm Credit sponsors NMPF’s National Young Cooperators program, which provides education, leadership and advocacy training for dairy producers ages 40 or younger. It is held in conjunction with the NMPF June board meeting and the NMPF annual meeting. 

Plenary and General Assembly 

Field to Market
June 3-5, 2025 | Kansas City, Missouri

Farm Credit is a member of Field to Market, an alliance from across the agriculture value chain that offers farmer-friendly, science-driven and outcomes-based programs and tools members may use to deliver on their most ambitious sustainability goals. 

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC)

National FFA
TBD, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit sponsors a one-week Washington Leadership Conference, which provides FFA members a premier experience meeting with ag leaders in the Capital through da program designed to encourage changemaker perspectives and advocacy mindsets.

National Conference

National Agriculture in the Classroom
June 23 – 26, 2025 | Minneapolis, Minnesota

National Ag in the Classroom aims to encourage non-ag teachers to integrate agriculture topics into their lesson plans. Farm Credit supports awards for teachers utilizing innovative techniques for educating students about agriculture, presented at the national conference. 

National Conference of Private Forest Landowners

Forest Landowners Association
June 18-20, 2025 | Asheville, North Carolina

Farm Credit is a partner of Forest Landowners Association, a national organization representing and supporting private forest landowners in the U.S.

Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference

National Association of County Agricultural Agents 
June 29 – July 2, 2025 | Billings, Montana

The National Association of County Agricultura Agents is a professional organization for county extension agents. Our sponsorship supports the conference’s agricultural tours and the Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, Small Farmers/Ranchers Awards, which recognize extension agents for outstanding programming in this area. Farm Credit was instrumental in creating this award and has funded it for many years.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

Round Table 

Farm Foundation
June TBD, 2024 | Chicago, Illinois

A program of Farm Foundation, the Round Table is a private, invitation-only discussion forum comprised of stakeholder leaders from across the food and agriculture value chain. 

Native Youth in Agriculture Summit

University of Arkansas School of Law Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
TBD, 2025 | Fayetteville, Arkansas

Farm Credit supports the University of Arkansas Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s annual leadership summit for Native youth ages 18-23. The summit focuses on business planning, risk management, marketing and leadership development. 

National 4-H Forestry Invitational

National 4-H
July 20- 24, 2025 | Weston, West Virginia 

This is the annual national 4-H competition for forestry judging, sponsored by Farm Credit. The event draws 4-H members from across the country and teaches students forestry and timber appraisal and evaluation skills. 

New Century Farmer Conference

National FFA
July 22 – 24, 2025 | Indianapolis, Indiana

Farm Credit sponsors FFA’s New Century Farmer Conference, which gathers FFA alums who are actively engaged in farming. We also sponsor FFA’s National Convention and an FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grant in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
July TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

Agri-Industry Council

National Corn Growers Association
August 12-14, 2025 | TBD

The Agri-Industry Council (AIC) provides a forum for discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. corn industry and agriculture. This group of agribusiness leaders meets twice a year. Farm Credit is a member of the NCGA’s Agri-Industry Council (AIC).

USApple Outlook 

USApple
August 13 – 15, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois

This conference gathers apple industry leaders in every area of the apple industry including production, packing, processing, sales, marketing, and new product development to discuss critical issues. Farm Credit is an industry partner of USApple. 

Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting

Federation of Southern Cooperatives
August TBD, 2025 | Birmingham & Epes, Alabama

Farm Credit supports the Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ work to provide education and services to black farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives in the Southeastern United States.

Model Farm Series Field Days

National Black Growers Council
August TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

Policy Institute

Agriculture Future of America
September 7 – 9, 2025 | Washington, D.C. 

Farm Credit’s funding supports AFA’s Leaders Conference, a career skills workshop and networking event in Kansas City each year, and AFA’s Policy Institute, a DC-based event that teaches students agriculture advocacy skills. 

National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-In 

National Farmers Union (NFU)
TBD, 2025 | Washington, DC

Farm Credit is a longtime partner of NFU and supports their annual Legislative Fly-In. Farm Credit also supports NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute and other national events.  

Ag Open

Everybody Wins!
September TBD, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

Everybody Wins! helps children thrive by building connections through reading, and provides shared reading services to students in 14 elementary schools and communities across the DC metro area. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the Everybody Wins DC (EWDC) 25th Annual Ag Open Golf Tournament, drawing participants from leading national food and agricultural organizations.

Dinner Under the Stars

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA)
September TBD, 2025 | Washington, DC

The Friends of the National Arboretum hosts an annual Dinner Under the Stars to build awareness and support of their youth programs and public engagement. The National Arboretum is a program under USDA’s Agricultural Research Service agency. 

Regional Cluster and Opportunity Fair, Region II & III

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
September TBD, 2025 | TBD

MANRRS Regional Clusters serve as the organization’s Fall premiere recruitment event. The goals are to encourage diversity, pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills to prepare their members for a thriving future in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. The Clusters feature an opportunity fair, student  competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Annual Meeting

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
September 14 – 18, 2025 | Rogers, Arkansas 

Farm Credit is a NASDA industry partner, allowing us to engage with state ag secretaries/commissioners/directors at a variety of events. Farm Credit also sponsors NASDA’s Next Generation college students and enables them to attend NASDA’s Annual Meeting. 

Fall Meeting and Legislative Fly-In

Forest Resources Association (FRA)
October 7 – 9, 2025 | Washington, DC

FRA represents producers throughout the entire wood supply chain. Farm Credit supports the organization’s annual Legislative Fly-In.

Regional Cluster and Opportunity Fair, Region I

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
October TBD, 2025 | TBD

MANRRS Regional Clusters serve as the organization’s Fall premiere recruitment event. The goals are to encourage diversity, pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills to prepare their members for a thriving future in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. The Clusters will feature an opportunity fair, student  competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Cultivating Change Foundation

Cultivating Change Summit
October 5 – 7, 2025 | Portland, Oregon 

The Cultivating Change Summit brings together LGBTQ+ agriculturists who are working toward an inclusive industry environment. Farm Credit is a sponsor of the event and supports the Cultivating Change Foundation. 

Homesteaders of America Conference

Homesteaders of America
October 10-11, 2025 | Front Royal, Virginia

Homesteaders is an educational organization to offer support and resources for small scale farming families. Their rapidly growing audience encompasses young, beginning, and small farmers. Farm Credit sponsors their annual conference. 

Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge 

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge
October TBD, 2025 | TBD

This program consists of one national and four regional events attended by college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from record keeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions.

Young Cooperators Leadership and Development Program

National Milk Producers Federation
October TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit sponsors the National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors Meeting and Young Cooperator Program. The Young Cooperator program offers leadership development for milk producers under the age of 40.

Regional Cluster and Opportunity Fair, Region IV & V

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
October TBD, 2025 | TBD

MANRRS Regional Clusters serve as the organization’s Fall premiere recruitment event. The goals are to encourage diversity, pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills to prepare our members for a thriving future in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. The Clusters will feature an opportunity fair, student  competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

National Convention

National FFA
October 29 – November 1, 2025 | Indianapolis, Indiana 

Farm Credit sponsors the FFA’s National Convention. To further support FFA students, Farm Credit sponsors a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grant for outstanding FFA students engaged in FFA’s experiential learning opportunities in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Farmer Veteran Conference

Farmer Veteran Coalition
October TBD, 2025 | TBD

FVC provides resources for military Veterans who want to begin farming. It also administers the Homegrown By Heroes marketing label for value-added products produced by farmer Veterans. We sponsor FVC’s work to increase national adoption of the Homegrown By Heroes label, and the organization’s annual conference, which brings together key farmer Veteran advocates and partners.

Regional Cluster and Opportunity Fair, Region VI

Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
November TBD, 2025 | TBD

MANRRS Regional Clusters serve as the organization’s Fall premiere recruitment event. The goals are to encourage diversity, pluralism and promote the development of those leadership skills to prepare our members for a thriving future in the agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. The Clusters will feature an opportunity fair, student  competitions, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Women’s Conference

National Farmers Union
November TBD, 2026 | TBD

Farm Credit sponsors the NFU Women’s Conference, which brings together women in agriculture. Farmers, policymakers, educators and specialists present on a number of subjects, including financial management, food safety, marketing, conservation, USDA programs and more. We also support NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute, Annual Convention, National Youth Leadership Camp and work with NFU on farm stress management programs. 

Annual Educational Symposium 

American Agricultural Law Association
November 7-9, 2025 | Memphis, TN

The AALA Annual Educational Symposium brings together more than 300 international, national, and regional legal and policy experts to discuss and address issues in agriculture, trade, natural resources, water, food, environmental and agribusiness law. Attendees include policymakers; in-house counsel; large, small and solo practitioners; academics; government attorneys; and students.

Leaders Conference

Agriculture Future of America
November 6-9, 2025 | Kansas City, Missouri

Farm Credit’s funding supports AFA’s Leaders Conference, a career skills workshop and networking event in Kansas City each year, and AFA’s Policy Institute, a DC-based event that teaches students agriculture advocacy skills. 

Annual Conference 

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 
November 10-12, 2025 | Clearwater, FL

This conference is attended by rural appraisers, farm managers, and agricultural consultants. Our funding supports a session where appraisers from across the country share complex or interesting valuation experiences they have encountered. A number of Farm Credit staff are involved in the organization and attend the annual meeting. 

Direct Agricultural Marketing Summit / MarketMaker Innovation Awards

November TBD, 2025 | TBD

This conference brings together extension educators, beginning farmer organizations, farmers market managers, rural development specialists, and local/federal government employees to focus on issues related to direct marketing and value-added agriculture. Farm Credit is a co-presenter of the event. We also sponsor MarketMaker’s Innovation Awards, which are presented during the conference. MarketMaker is a national network that connects farmers and fishermen with food retailers, processors, caterers, chefs, consumers and more.

Trade Talk

National Association of Farm Broadcasters
November TBD, 2025 | Kansas City, Missouri 

Farm Credit is a sponsor of Social Media Corps, a learning opportunity for ag journalism students, at NAFB’s annual meeting. This sponsorship also ensures we have a booth at the organization’s Trade Talk and Washington Watch events, where System institutions make spokespersons available to speak with ag broadcasters from across the country. 

Southern Regional Dairy Challenge

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge 
November TBD, 2025 | TBD

This program consists of one national and four regional events attended by college students with a strong interest in the dairy industry. They compete by creating a farm management plan for a dairy farm that includes every aspect of the business, from recordkeeping to nutrient management to personnel issues. Many Farm Credit associations across the country volunteer for these events and arrange for Farm Credit customers to be used as the model farms in their competitions.

USA Rice Outlook Conference

USA Rice Federation
December 7-9, 2025 | New Orleans, LA 

USA Rice Federation (USA Rice) is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry.  Their mission is to ensure the health and vitality of a unified U.S. rice industry by advocating on behalf of farmers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses. Farm Credit is a USA Rice Member.

Student Essay Contest at Annual Membership Meeting

Intertribal Agriculture Council
December TBD, 2025 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Farm Credit sponsors a scholarship competition for Native American students in grades 9-12 interested in farming and other agriculture careers. Our support provides the finalists with scholarships to attend the IAC Agriculture Symposium. 

Annual Meeting

National Black Growers Council
December TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit is a sustaining member of the NBGC, an organization fostering black farmers’ leadership and networking across the country. Each summer NBGC conducts a series of field days and sponsors an agriculture apprentice program for a student from a Historically Black Land-Grant University, pairing them with a host farmer for nine weeks. 

National Heirs Property Conference

Federation of Southern Cooperatives
December TBD, 2025 | TBD

Farm Credit supports the Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ work to provide education and services to black farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives in the Southeastern United States.

This Conference creates an opportunity for 100 heirs’ property landowners to get practical information for resolving their heirs’ property issues including an in-depth 12-month checklist to guide their efforts to clear title, create an estate plan, resolve family conflicts, and much more. Landowners interact directly attorneys, tax professionals, USDA professionals, and academic experts who will share best practices and strategies to help landowners take active steps to transform their heirs’ property from a liability to an asset.