Harpster Family Shares
(Continued from Page 5)
Two sisters, who have moved off the farm and are
not directly involved in the dairy operation, are also
included in the estate planning, Abe said.
Evergreen Farms was first incorporated in the early
1990 s when the Harpsters expanded the dairy.
According to Wayne Harpster, having the dairy
business incorporated has served as “a good tool” for
managing finances. In the future, he expects to estab
lish a limited liability corporation (L.L.C) with real
estate included to continue the transfer process to his
children.
Wayne’s father originally owned the home farm, but
was a car dealer by trade, Wayne said. That makes
Abe, Aaron, and Andy second-generation farmers.
Abe acknowledged the common belief that transfer
ring a farm business to the third generation is often the
most difficult. In the case of Evergreen Farms, estate
planning is being structured to include the third gener
ation, “if they want to farm,” he said. At this point, the
three brothers are unmarried and without children.
The family contracted with “the very best” estate
planners in order “to maximize what our parents get
without strapping cash flow,” Andy said. “We want to
buy this thing fair and square and our parents to live
happily ever after.”
According to Wayne, a love of the land and the
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Second-cutting alfalfa harvest was in full
swing on Evergreen Farms the day of the
POMP membership meeting. Here, employee
Herb Grove takes a break from leveling the
forage pile while waiting for the next truck
load.
dairy business played a big part in in the decision to
pass on the farm.
“I’ve always had love for the valley and the land. I
could have sold (the land) for real estate and lived
comfortably,” he said.
When it comes to making dairy business decisions.
“You got to be a businessman first, then a farmer,” he
said. He also offered this advice to other farmers who
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