Preparing the Next Generation to Lead the Family Farm
For many family farms, one of the biggest questions isn't whether the next generation wants to come home.
It's whether they'll be prepared to lead when the time comes.
Leadership transition doesn't happen overnight. It takes years of mentorship, honest conversations, shared responsibility, and the willingness for one generation to gradually hand over the reins while the next generation grows into new roles.
At Golden E Dairy in Wisconsin, Ryan, Kim, Matt, and Kyle Elbe are living that transition in real time. After spending their childhood watching their parents, Chris and Tracey Elbe, build the dairy from the ground up, they're now helping shape the next chapter of the business.
In a recent episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, the four siblings shared what it's like stepping into leadership, working alongside family, and preparing to carry a first-generation business into the future.
Leadership Looks Different for Everyone
One of the biggest strengths of the Elbe family is that no one is trying to fill the exact same role.
Each sibling brings a different personality, skill set, and perspective to the operation.
Ryan naturally gravitates toward improving efficiency and overseeing daily operations. Kim balances motherhood with responsibilities on the farm while continually looking for ways to improve systems and learn from other producers. Matt's mechanical mindset keeps equipment running and problems solved, while Kyle thrives in building relationships with employees and creating strong communication across the business.
Rather than expecting everyone to lead the same way, Golden E Dairy has embraced the idea that strong teams are built through complementary strengths.
It's a reminder that successful family businesses don't need identical leaders—they need people willing to contribute where they excel.
Growing Into Leadership Takes Time
None of the Elbe siblings stepped into leadership overnight.
Like many second-generation farmers, they grew up learning by watching, asking questions, and gradually taking on more responsibility.
That experience gave them the opportunity to understand not only how the dairy operates but also why certain decisions were made along the way.
Leadership isn't simply about making decisions.
It's about earning trust, learning from experience, and developing confidence over time.
For the Elbes, growing into leadership has been a gradual process built on years of working together as a family.
Communication Makes Transition Easier
One theme surfaced repeatedly throughout the conversation: communication.
The Elbe siblings recognize that many farm transitions become difficult because conversations happen too late—or not at all.
They're grateful their parents chose to begin discussing the future early, allowing everyone to understand where the business was headed and how each family member could contribute.
That openness has created clarity instead of uncertainty.
It has also given the next generation the confidence to step into greater responsibility knowing they have support along the way.
Every Generation Brings Fresh Perspective
Growing up in agriculture today looks very different than it did a generation ago.
Technology, social media, automation, and access to information have dramatically changed how young producers learn and solve problems.
Kim shared how seeing ideas from producers around the world often sparks conversations about improvements they can make at Golden E Dairy. Rather than feeling tied to "the way it's always been done," the next generation has the opportunity to blend proven experience with fresh ideas.
That balance between tradition and innovation is often what allows family farms to continue evolving.
Preparing for the Future Means Planning Today
One of the biggest lessons the Elbe siblings hope others take away is the importance of starting succession conversations before they're necessary.
No family can predict every challenge life may bring.
Health changes.
Markets fluctuate.
Unexpected events happen.
Having a plan in place gives families more flexibility to navigate those moments together instead of making difficult decisions under pressure.
For Ryan, Kim, Matt, and Kyle, succession isn't simply about ownership.
It's about preparing the business to continue serving future generations long after today's leaders step aside.
Building a Legacy Together
Golden E Dairy began as Chris and Tracey Elbe's dream.
Today, it's becoming something even bigger.
Each member of the next generation is helping shape the future of the business in their own way while honoring the values their parents established from the very beginning.
That shared commitment to growth, communication, and continuous improvement has positioned Golden E Dairy for another generation of success.
Their story is a reminder that succession isn't about replacing one generation with another.
It's about building a business where every generation contributes something valuable.
Preparing the next generation to lead doesn't start when parents retire. It starts years earlier through mentorship, communication, shared responsibility, and opportunities to grow.
Ryan, Kim, Matt, and Kyle Elbe demonstrate that when families intentionally prepare future leaders, succession becomes less about handing something off and more about building something together. The strongest family farms don't simply pass down ownership.
They pass down confidence, responsibility, and a vision for what comes next.
To hear the complete discussion, stream now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
