Farm Credit and Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation® Explore Solutions to Protect Property Rights and Build Generational Wealth

Farm Credit announced a new partnership with Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation® (CHPP) during a Financial Literacy Month briefing on heirs’ property rights titled, “Preserve Your Roots, Grow Your Future.”

Heirs' property is a significant issue for many rural families, particularly in agricultural communities, where generational land ownership can become fragmented and uncertain. Farm Credit’s mission of supporting agriculture and rural communities is well aligned with the work of organizations such as CHPP, which are focused on resolving heirs’ property challenges.

"The creation of the National Heirs Property Alliance in partnership with Farm Credit will increase the tools available to empower families to retain and productively use their land to benefit local rural economies, agriculture, and future generations,” said Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation® CEO Dr. Jennie L. Stephens.

The co-hosted briefing in honor of Financial Literacy Month consisted of a panel discussion on heirs’ property rights, including an overview of the work of CHPP, testimonial from a landowner and an ag lending perspective on heirs’ property rights. Rep. Letlow (LA-5) and Rep. Clyburn (SC-6) provided bipartisan welcome remarks and panelists present were Dr. Jennie L. Stephens, CEO of CHPP; Dr. Betsy Taylor, Executive Director of Livelihood Knowledge Exchange Network; Yvonne Knight-Carter, a landowner and former board chair of CHPP and Vance Dalton, CEO of AgSouth. Farm Credit Council CEO, Christy Seyfert, moderated the discussion.

"I am excited about the partnership between Farm Credit and the Center for Heirs' Property Preservation and what this will mean for keeping land in production for the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Julia Letlow (LA-5).

Farm Credit will provide financial support to CHPP as they build out the National Heirs’ Property Alliance, expanding realized success into new regions. The Alliance aims to empower landowners in rural communities across the country to secure clear title and stabilize land ownership.

“Farm Credit is committed to supporting rural communities and agriculture,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert. “We are proud to partner with Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation as they expand their important work into a National Heirs’ Property Alliance. The intersection of financial literacy and land productivity is a natural fit for Farm Credit.”

Heirs’ property has long posed a barrier to economic opportunity and land stability, and this partnership represents a meaningful step forward. Farm Credit’s support will provide CHPP with additional pathways to help families preserve their land and unlock its economic potential.