PETHERICK FAMILY Almerson

Farms Ltd.

Proactive planning drives eastern Ontario dairy farm succession

Almerson Farms Ltd., located near Campbellford, ON, is home to two generations of the Petherick family milking cows together as part of an ongoing farm succession. Adam, a Region 4 Dairy Farmers of Ontario Board Member, and his wife Amy, will be the seventh generation to take over the family farm, working alongside his parents, Evan and Marilyn.

What started as integration into the dayto-day farm work after he returned home from university in 2009, has since grown to a full business partnership between Adam, Amy, and his parents. “We started working in the barn together, working our way up to helping with the farm management, and then eventually sharing ownership when we incorporated the farm in 2014,” says Adam, reflecting on the family’s succession process. “When it comes to decisions, all four of us have always worked equally together with a common goal in mind.”

Adam says he’s fortunate his parents have been so inclusive and open about becoming involved in the farm, and together both generations have made proactive planning a priority. “They want to ensure we don’t have to face the barriers they did in transitioning the family farm and are committed to making this current transition positive for everyone. Our responsibility now, as the next generation is to realize how fortunate we are to have such an encouraging and rewarding experience, and show the same respect and outlook going forward,” says Adam.

Incorporating the farm was a strategic step in the Petherick’s succession plan. By consulting with a team of advisors to help them through the process, the family realized the new legal structure would benefit the farm by helping fuel growth, protect equity for Adam’s parents, and thereby enable Adam and Amy to become shareholders and active owners as the next generation.

“It was important to us to have a solid succession plan developed while everyone was working in agreement and before any issues or stressful situations arose,” explains Adam, noting that while the farm is still in transition, they now have a set timeline of guidelines and parameters to follow if the family or farm should face any unexpected challenges.

Continuous education has been another key to the success of the Petherick family farm transition. “Amy has been instrumental in participating in courses, seeking resources and funding opportunities to help us all learn together through this process,” says Adam. “Communication is vital for a healthy farm succession, as well as the support of your partner. I’m grateful every day for my wife, children, parents and siblings who are making this experience a success.”