In a time when farmland values, succession planning, and generational transfer dominate agricultural conversations, Indiana farmland advisor and author Johnny Klemme says the real story goes far beyond price per acre.
Klemme — co-owner of Geswein Farm & Land Realty in Lafayette, Indiana — recently discussed his new book American Family Farmland: A Landowner’s Guide to Inheriting the Farm and the deeper purpose behind his work helping families navigate one of the most emotional decisions in agriculture.
“I’ve always thought of land value as more than just numbers,” Klemme shared. “Every person defines value differently — whether that’s financial, emotional, or tied to family responsibility and stewardship.”
Helping Families Navigate Farm Succession
Klemme works with farm families across Indiana and the Midwest as they face inheritance decisions, estate transitions, and long-term land ownership planning. He says these conversations often involve multiple generations and competing perspectives.
“Most of the time, it’s not just one decision-maker,” he explained. “It’s siblings, parents, and heirs all trying to figure out what the future of the farm should look like.”
That complexity, he says, is exactly why communication and clarity are critical in succession planning.
Why Story Matters in Agriculture
A major theme from Klemme’s book — and his interview — is the importance of storytelling in agriculture.
“We deal with real families and real emotions every day,” he said. “Stories are what connect people to the land and to each other.”
Klemme shared that many of his client relationships take place in very personal settings — at kitchen tables, in pickup trucks, or out in the field — and he intentionally wrote his book to reflect that same conversational tone.
A Growing Shift in Farmland Ownership
With the average age of American farmers continuing to rise, Klemme says the industry is in the middle of a major generational transition.
“There’s a huge transfer of farmland happening right now,” he said. “And with that comes both opportunity and real family challenges.”
He believes farm succession planning is becoming one of the most important issues in agriculture today as families work to balance legacy, financial realities, and long-term stewardship.
More Than a Business — A Mission
For Klemme, the goal of his work and his book is simple: help families make better, more informed decisions about their land.
“If the book helps even one family avoid conflict or make a clearer decision, then it’s worth it,” he said.
At its core, Klemme’s message reinforces a broader truth in agriculture: farmland is not just an asset — it is a living connection between generations, shaped by values, memory, and stewardship.
“Value isn’t just what the land can earn,” Klemme said. “It’s what it teaches us about family, responsibility, and the choices we make for the future.”