In January 2026 the Succession Alliance hosted the first International Farm Succession Symposium, bringing together practitioners, researchers and advisers from across the world to explore the complex human challenges of family farm succession.
Over 100 participants joined the online event from 11 countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The symposium created a rare opportunity for those working with farming families to share insights, compare experiences and reflect on what helps succession conversations move forward constructively.
While farming systems vary across countries, one clear message emerged from the discussion: the core challenges of succession are remarkably similar. Questions of fairness, identity, retirement, communication and generational expectations sit at the heart of succession decisions in almost every farming culture.
The symposium focused not only on technical solutions such as tax and legal structures, but on the human dynamics that shape how succession unfolds within families. Participants explored the importance of facilitated family conversations, the role of trusted advisers, and the value of creating structured processes that allow both generations to navigate transition with confidence.
The report below summarises the key themes, reflections and international perspectives shared during the symposium.