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Sharing Knowledge Across Borders: Farm Succession and the Next Generation
Sharing lessons on farm handovers help farmers and crofters plan for the future
Ensuring the future of farming is one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities across Europe – and Scotland is no exception.
As family farms look to hand over the reins to the next generation, questions of succession, gender equality, and digital innovation are becoming central to the conversation.
Although Scotland is no longer part of the European Union, the issues we face remain strikingly similar, and there is much to be gained from sharing knowledge and learning with our European neighbours.
Our friends in the EU CAP Network have recently highlighted two inspiring examples of good practice that speak directly to these challenges:
- Next Generation Focus: Farm Handovers – This initiative explores how structured support can help families navigate the complex process of transferring farms to younger generations. It emphasises the importance of planning, mentoring, and creating space for young farmers to bring fresh ideas while respecting the legacy of those stepping back. Read more here.
- Digital Farm Succession and Gender-Equal Entrepreneurship – This project demonstrates how digital tools and gender-sensitive approaches can make farm succession more inclusive and sustainable. By recognising the role of women in farming and harnessing technology to streamline succession planning, it points towards a more equitable and resilient future. Full details here.
Farm succession is a widely recognised challenge. Many farming families are grappling with questions of how to pass on land, skills, and responsibilities in ways that secure both economic viability and community resilience. As farming populations age and attracting new entrants remains challenging, rural communities strive to sustain their way of life whilst embracing digital innovation and promoting gender equality, the parallels with the EU case studies are clear.
While Scotland may no longer be part of the EU, the agricultural sector here can still benefit from the lessons learned in Europe. Knowledge exchange does not stop at political borders. By looking at how European partners are tackling succession planning – whether through structured handover programmes or digital and gender-inclusive approaches – Scottish farmers, crofters, and rural communities can adapt and apply these insights to local contexts.
The Scottish Government supports farmers and crofters with succession and renewal. The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) offers free or subsidised guidance on succession, inheritance, and business planning to make handovers smooth while encouraging modernisation, diversification, and equality across Scotland’s agricultural sector.
The EU CAP Network’s work reminds us that farming is not just about producing food; it is about sustaining communities, traditions, and landscapes. Succession planning is therefore not a technical exercise alone, but a deeply social one. Scotland’s rural sector has long valued collaboration, and these examples show how international dialogue can spark new ideas and reinforce shared values.
As we continue to navigate the future of Scottish agriculture, initiatives like these provide both inspiration and practical guidance. They highlight that succession is not simply about who takes over the farm, but how the process can be made fairer, smarter, and more sustainable.
📖 To explore the full stories, visit our colleagues at the EU CAP Network:
