Rena Striegel of Transition Point Business Advisors Introduces Online Farm Succession Training

DES MOINES, IA, May 2026. Rena Striegel, President of Transition Point Business Advisors, has launched an online farm succession training program to help agricultural families begin transition planning in a way that feels more manageable and accessible.

The idea grew out of conversations Striegel has been having for years with farm families across the country. Many knew they needed to address succession planning. Few knew how to actually start.

Some were juggling planting season and livestock schedules. Others had children living in different states. In many cases, the conversation kept getting postponed because nobody felt fully prepared to lead it.

“One of the biggest challenges I see is families feeling stuck because they don’t know where to start,” Striegel said. “My goal has always been to make these conversations feel approachable and actionable rather than intimidating.”

Families Want Guidance That Feels Practical

Striegel said many agricultural families are not looking for complicated theories or corporate-style training. What they want is straightforward guidance that reflects real situations they are already dealing with inside the operation.

Over the years, she has worked with families as they navigate questions about retirement, leadership, fairness among siblings, and whether the next generation actually wants to return to the farm long term.

Those conversations rarely happen all at once. More often, they unfold slowly over time.

The online training program was created to give families a starting point they can work through privately and at their own pace. Instead of expecting families to solve every issue immediately, the program focuses on helping them start the process and organize the conversations that need to take place.

Built Around Real Farm Experiences

Raised on a dairy farm in What Cheer, Iowa, Striegel understands how difficult it can be for agricultural families to step away from daily responsibilities long enough to focus on long-term planning.

That reality influenced the program’s format. Families can access the training when schedules allow, rather than trying to coordinate travel or full-day workshops during busy seasons.

The material itself reflects situations Striegel has encountered repeatedly while working with multi-generational operations. Questions about leadership, ownership expectations, communication, and future responsibilities are addressed in a way that feels practical rather than overwhelming.

A Different Way to Begin the Conversation

According to Striegel, one reason succession planning often stalls is that families believe they need complete answers before they begin talking.

In reality, she said, progress usually starts with smaller conversations that gradually build trust and direction.

The online program is designed to help families take those earlier steps before uncertainty turns into frustration or conflict.

As more agricultural operations across the United States approach generational transition, Striegel believes accessible education and open dialogue will become increasingly important to preserving long-term continuity for family farms.

More information about the online training program is available at https://transitionpointba.com/. Rena Striegel also shares insights through LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Rena Striegel

Rena Striegel is the President of Transition Point Business Advisors and a nationally recognized authority in agricultural and family business succession planning. Raised on a dairy farm in What Cheer, Iowa, she developed an early understanding of the connection between family, land, and legacy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and later completed her MBA at the University of Iowa. Early in her career, she worked in financial services and advisory roles before focusing her work on agricultural succession planning.

With more than twenty years of experience advising multi-generational farm families across the United States, Striegel is known for helping families navigate leadership transitions, communication challenges, and long-term continuity planning. She is the creator of The DIRTT Project and host of the Ag Inspo podcast, where she shares insights on succession, leadership, and the future of family agriculture.

About Transition Point Business Advisors

Transition Point Business Advisors specializes in succession planning for agricultural and family-owned businesses. The firm provides facilitation, communication support, and transition planning guidance to help families prepare for long-term continuity across generations.