Farm succession - keeping it in the family

摘要

The critical process of farm succession and the difficult issues it raises befalls all families who choose to remain in agriculture. Cindy Hill's family is no exception. In this insight into how a farming family has confronted succession, Cindy explains how negotiating the issues has been a daunting but positive experience. Our family property east of Tamworth in northern New South Wales was purchased by my grandfather in 1925. He developed the land by fencing, clearing paddocks and building a homefor his new family. Initially he grazed Merino sheep and Aberdeen Angus cattle, but in 1930 established the dairy which continues today. From 1950 until his death in 1980, he lived and worked on the property, with his youngest child, my father. They werepioneers in establishing woodlots to heal the scars left by the goldmining era. We are proud that this sympathy for the environment left the land in far better condition than it was found.