PWM Perspectives provides valuable insights into market dynamics, investment opportunities through Q Wealth, and key financial indicators. We are committed to keeping you informed with timely updates from PWM Private Wealth Counsel and Q Wealth Partners, our partner portfolio management firm.
With this month’s PWM Perspectives, we are going to share something much different than our typical charts and graphs. We are going to share a song: HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw - McArthur (Lyric Video) - YouTube
Every family farm carries a story. It is one written in years of work, sacrifice, and connection to the land. At the beginning of March, we are hosting two seminars in Prince Alberta and Saskatoon regarding farmland values. This is a follow-up to our seminars in November of last year, which also covered farmland values, financial planning, and investment topics.
Anyone who’s grown up on a farm knows it’s never just dirt and dollars. It’s memories, family history, and the place where generations have built their lives. As many farmers get ready to retire, they might face a tough reality: what the farm means to them could be different from what it means to the next generation. It's important to find ways to protect their legacy and help the next generation carry on their dreams and family heritage.
Interestingly, the themes in today’s country hit “McArthur” echo these same tensions. This is precisely the crossroads many Western Canadian families now face. Today’s strong farmland values have encouraged more retired farmers to consider selling, not out of desperation, but by intention. Some are responding to market signals: while Saskatchewan farmland rose 13.1% in 2024 and 15.7% in 2023 according to Farm Credit Canada (FCC), long‑term patterns show that appreciation comes in cycles, and even the strongest markets experience plateaus or corrections.
That tension between hanging on and moving forward is something almost every farm family eventually wrestles with. (And not just farm families – we see in our financial planning, legacy planning is a major topic).
A SunLife survey from late last year shared: 7 in 10 Canadians say ensuring their family’s financial security is the most important element of legacy planning. 59% want the wealth they leave behind to be invested in long-term wealth creation. Nearly two-thirds (60%) fear their wealth may not be preserved beyond their children’s generation. Less than a third of respondents believe their children will uphold family traditions. And only 19% feel fully prepared in terms of legacy arrangements. Source: Sun Life Survey Reveals Financial Security Tops Legacy Planning Priorities But Families Worry Wealth Won’t Last Beyond Next Generation | Sun Life
Farmers today are realizing more and more that diversification can be a wonderful way to protect family wealth. Many are deciding to sell some or all of their land, turning years of built-up value into reliable retirement income, diversified investment options, and flexible financial support for their children or grandchildren. This approach may help improve resilience through changing market cycles.
There are many considerations for farm families. The McArthur song story shows the consequences of holding too tightly or letting go too easily, without a clear plan. (Which is why at PWM Private Wealth Counsel, we think about financial plans first, as a means to determine the path forward, regardless of investment assets. Financial plans significantly boost confidence, with 80% of Canadians with professional plans feeling secure in retirement versus 36% without, according to KPMG. Source: Financial plans linked to retirement confidence).
Ultimately, both the real-world Saskatchewan experience and the fictional McArthur family grapple with the core question: What kind of legacy are you leaving behind? Some may focus on keeping the farm, managing concentration through diversification or generational transfer via insurance and other strategies. Others might convert the land’s value into a diversified financial base that supports the next generation, freeing them from the burden of managing a farm they might not want. Selling land can also help another farm family expand and thrive by acquiring additional acreage.
Legacy isn’t just about land. It’s about stability, intentional planning, and aligning your values with your family’s future. And sometimes, it begins by asking the same question echoed in the song: “When you pass on, what you gonna pass down?”
Upcoming Events:
Life After Harvest: Farmland Prices & Your Wealth Plan (Presented by PWM Private Wealth Counsel)
If you’re considering a sale, leasing, or a transition to the next generation for your farmland, this conversation is designed to bring perspective and practical insight. We will discuss how financial planning, investment considerations, estate structures, and today’s farmland values intersect, and what that means for your family over the long term.
Join us for this FREE Seminar and hear from a team of professionals dedicated to the farming industry. You will learn:
- How to understand farmland values, trends, and risks.
- What to consider before selling, leasing, or transitioning your farmland.
- Why a clear financial plan matters for securing farm legacy and living a fulfilling life.
- How to invest your wealth and take a "personal pension" approach with your hard-earned dollars.
Event Details:
- Friday March 6th (4:00 – 6:00 pm) – Prince Albert, SK
- Saturday March 7th (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) – Saskatoon, SK
Register below for your preferred location:
Alternatively, you can also register using the options below.
Limited Seats Available!
📞 By Phone: 306-975-9500
📧 By Email: info@pwmprivate.com
