Preserving family farms is vital for maintaining both cultural heritage and sustainable land management. As farms face economic pressures and generational transitions, it’s increasingly challenging to pass down these legacies intact. Will Harris of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, provides a blueprint for how a family farm can endure by embracing sustainable practices and fostering involvement from younger generations. His story highlights the importance of long-term planning and adaptive farming methods that can keep family farms alive for generations to come.
Understanding the Legacy of Family Farms
Family farms are steeped in history, often representing generations of hard work and dedication to the land. But maintaining that legacy is harder than ever, especially as industrial farming becomes the dominant model. Many family farms struggle to survive due to fluctuating markets, rising land costs, and generational shifts in interest.
For Will Harris, who runs White Oak Pastures, the connection to his family’s land runs deep. His great-grandfather founded the farm in 1866, and since then, five generations have worked the land. “This farm was founded by my great-granddaddy after he lost his first farm in the war. He got a second chance with this land, and we’ve kept it in the family ever since,” Will shares. Harris is proud to continue the tradition, but he’s also seen the farm evolve significantly from the days when his ancestors slaughtered animals daily to sell in the local market.
Key Challenges Facing Family Farms Today
Economic pressures are one of the primary threats to the survival of family farms today. Competing with large industrial farms can feel like an uphill battle, especially when operating costs increase while market prices stagnate. Will explains, “Everything you buy—trucks, tractors, equipment—it all depreciates. But land? Land lasts forever. It’s a different kind of wealth, but you have to manage it right.”

A strong succession plan is essential for preserving the future of a family farm. (Photo courtesy of White Oak Pastures)
In addition to economic pressures, family farms face the challenge of passing the land to the next generation. Many younger family members either lack interest in farming or find the financial risks too daunting. “I’ve got two grown daughters involved in the farm now, but I wasn’t sure they’d ever want to come back,” Will admits. “When they were growing up, we were running the farm in a very industrial way. I think it wasn’t until we changed how we did things—moved to a more sustainable model—that they saw a future here.”
Sustainable Farming as a Path Forward
Sustainability offers a way for family farms to remain viable in the long term. White Oak Pastures is a testament to the benefits of regenerative agriculture, a farming approach that focuses on restoring the health of the land and promoting biodiversity. Will made the bold decision to move away from industrial farming methods in the mid-1990s, a choice that has shaped the farm’s current success. “I got tired of the industrial model,” Will recalls. “We were using chemical fertilizers, hormone implants, and antibiotics. I didn’t like the way it felt, so we changed.”
That shift paid off, particularly when demand for grass-fed beef began to grow. “We were in the right place at the right time,” he says. “People started wanting grass-fed beef, and we had it. That’s how we kept the farm profitable.” Today, White Oak Pastures raises multiple species, from cattle to poultry, and has even incorporated solar grazing, using sheep to manage vegetation under solar panels. Will believes that diversity in farming practices is crucial for success, both economically and environmentally. “You can’t just have one thing growing. We raise everything—cows, chickens, turkeys, sheep. That’s how you keep the land healthy and the business strong.”
Involving the Next Generation in the Farm’s Future
Engaging the next generation is essential for preserving family farms. Will emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where younger family members can see a future in farming. “My daughters came back because they saw the value in what we were doing,” he says. “We’re not just raising cows; we’re building a system that’s sustainable and that they can be proud of.”
For Will, it’s also about ensuring that the business remains adaptable. He understands that future generations might need to shift focus, just as he did. “I’ve told my daughters that the family farm needs to evolve with the times,” Will explains. “I’m a cattleman at heart, but if they decide in the future that beef isn’t the way to go, I trust them to figure out what is.”
Succession Planning for Family Farms
One of the most critical aspects of preserving a family farm is having a solid succession plan in place. Will is transparent about the challenges of ensuring that the farm stays within the family. “I’m leaving the farm to the two daughters who came back to work it,” he says. “It was a tough conversation, but it’s the right thing to do.” Will recognizes that dividing the land equally among heirs who aren’t involved in the day-to-day operations can cause more harm than good. “If you split up the land too many ways, you weaken the whole operation.”

Sustainability provides a path for family farms to thrive and stay viable over the long term.
Harris is also pragmatic about estate planning, making sure that the next generation is prepared to manage both the financial and operational aspects of the family farm. “We don’t focus on short-term profits,” he notes. “We’re looking at the long-term value of the land, knowing that investments we make today may not pay off in my lifetime but will benefit the next generation.”
The Role of Community and Networking
Strong community ties are essential for the survival of family farms. Will Harris understands the importance of being an active part of the local economy. White Oak Pastures employs 160 people, a stark contrast to the few employees the farm had when it followed an industrial model. “This town was dying,” Will reflects. “We went from having a few minimum-wage workers to creating jobs that pay well above the county average. That kind of impact changes everything.”
In addition to supporting the local community, Harris has built connections within the broader agricultural network, sharing his knowledge and experience with other farmers. “We’re all in this together,” he says. “You learn a lot from talking to other farmers, figuring out what works and what doesn’t.”
Conclusion
Will Harris and White Oak Pastures demonstrate that preserving a family farm is possible with the right combination of sustainable practices, generational involvement, and strategic planning. Harris’ journey from industrial farming to regenerative agriculture offers valuable insights for farm owners looking to secure their farm’s future. “You’ve got to evolve,” Will says. “You’ve got to think long-term and make sure you’re building something that lasts.”
For family farm owners hoping to follow in Harris’ footsteps, the key is to start planning now. Whether through sustainable practices, involving the next generation, or building stronger ties with the community, the path forward is clear: adaptability and vision are essential for keeping family farms alive for future generations.
For more information on White Oak Pastures and farm succession planning, visit their website.