Rena Striegel and Transition Point Business Advisors Address Succession Gap Facing U.S. Farm Owners

DES MOINES, IA, March 2026. Rena Striegel and Transition Point Business Advisors are bringing attention to a growing concern across American agriculture: a widening gap between aging farm owners and the next generation prepared to take on leadership.

After more than two decades working alongside farm families, Striegel has seen this shift become more visible. Many farm owners are approaching retirement age, while a capable and motivated next generation is ready to contribute. The challenge is not a lack of interest. It is a lack of clear planning that connects one generation to the next.

A Growing Gap Between Generations

In communities across the United States, farm owners are facing decisions that will shape the future of their operations. For many, stepping back from the business is not only a financial decision but a deeply personal one.

At the same time, younger family members are preparing to step into larger roles. They bring new ideas, education, and a desire to build on what has already been created. Without a clear transition plan, however, that momentum can stall.

Striegel has observed that this gap is not always immediately apparent. Farms continue to operate. Responsibilities are shared informally. Yet the long term structure of leadership and ownership remains uncertain.

“There’s a quiet crisis happening in agriculture,” Striegel said. “Not because people don’t care, but because they don’t have a clear path forward.”

Why Planning Often Gets Delayed

Despite the importance of succession, many families postpone formal planning. Daily operations take priority. Conversations about leadership change can feel difficult to initiate. In some cases, families assume there is still time.

Striegel understands that hesitation. She has worked with families who care deeply about preserving both their land and their relationships. The intention is there. What is often missing is a structured way to begin.

Without a plan, uncertainty can grow. Leadership roles may remain undefined. Ownership decisions may be delayed. Opportunities to prepare the next generation can be missed.

Protecting the Future of Family Farms

Striegel’s work is driven by a sense of urgency to help families navigate these transitions before options become limited. She believes that early planning allows families to move forward with greater flexibility and confidence.

Through Transition Point Business Advisors, she works with agricultural families to clarify leadership, ownership, and long-term goals. Her approach focuses on practical conversations that help bridge generational gaps.

For Striegel, succession planning is not only about transferring assets. It is about protecting the farm’s legacy and the relationships that sustain it.

Encouraging Families to Start the Conversation

As the agricultural industry continues to undergo generational change, Striegel encourages families to begin planning sooner rather than later. Even early discussions can create momentum and open the door to better outcomes.

By addressing the succession gap facing U.S. farm owners, Transition Point Business Advisors aims to support families in preserving what they have built and preparing the next generation to carry it forward.

More information about Transition Point Business Advisors and succession planning resources is available at https://transitionpointba.com. Rena Striegel also shares insights through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Rena Striegel

Rena Striegel is the President of Transition Point Business Advisors and has spent more than twenty years working with agricultural families on succession planning and leadership transition. Her work focuses on helping families prepare for the future while maintaining stability within both the business and the family.

She was raised in What Cheer, Iowa, where she grew up on a dairy farm and gained early exposure to the realities of multi-generational operations. Striegel earned her undergraduate degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and later completed an MBA at the University of Iowa. She began her career in financial services, advising clients on business and planning decisions.

Recognizing the growing need for succession support in agriculture, she shifted her focus to helping farm families navigate transition. She created The DIRTT Project as a structured approach to guide families through ownership and leadership decisions. In addition, she hosts the Ag Inspo podcast, sharing insights from her work with families across the country.

Her work is centered on helping families create clarity and continuity for the next generation.

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.