Have we failed our ancestors? Perspectives on unsuccessful transfer of German family farms

Abstract The article explores how failure of family farm succession is perceived by farm succession consultants in the context of the agricultural sector in Germany. After conducting semi-structured interviews with succession consultants, the transcripts were coded inductively. The data were categorized based on a framework of motives and outcomes of succession planning (Gilding et al., 2015). Three failure scenarios were identified: implosion of business and family, imposition of the incumbent’s will on successors, and selling the farm. The addition of a fourth scenario, the state of indecision about farm succession, is suggested. The study illustrates the complexity of generational relations.