News & Notes Food and Agriculture Law Conducts Survey on Farm and Ranch Estate Plans From Cari Rincker, Esq. - Rincker Law, PLLC CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – Cari Rincker, the Principal Attorney at Rincker Law, PLLC, is conducting a survey for farmers and ranchers on their estate, succession and business plans. She is collecting data for a video series on the topic and plans on providing the information to the industry. “One of the biggest threats to multi-generational farm families is a lack of planning on how the operation will be passed down to future generations,” said Rincker, who has offices both in Illinois and New York. “This is more than just a Last Will and Testament. A proper succession plan should also incorporate a business plan and a road map on how
managerial knowledge will be passed down to the heir.” Rincker is conducting a survey using Survey Monkey that is 30 questions long and takes approximately five minutes to complete. The survey is located at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/farmestateplanning. The survey questions range from estate planning documents that are in place, type of business entity, prenuptial agreements, and life insurance. The survey even touches on family communication about the topic. “So far, exactly 50% of the surveys taken stated that their family had not had the ability to discuss this topic openly and honestly,” notes Rincker, who grew
up on a cattle farm near Shelbyville, Illinois. “This is a major problem in the agriculture industry. We have to figure out a way to make conversation starters more natural. This should be an ongoing conversation among the family members.” The more information collected from farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners, the more accurate and useful the data will be to the industry. “I hope this information can better serve the agriculture community,” says Rincker. Fore more information about the survey or her survey results, Rincker can be contacted at cari@rinckerlaw.com. =
ager. At the Indiana State Fair, he helped with the beef shows for over 10 years. Jimmie was a member of the Hancock County Shorthorn Association, Indiana Shorthorn Association and American Shorthorn Association. While he was a member of the Indiana Shorthorn Association. He served as secretary/treasurer. He helped with three Shorthorn Junior Nationals that were hosted by Indiana. Jimmie was the scholarship chairman for the Hancock County Showdown for 16 years. Among his other activities were serving on the Hancock County Planning Commission and being a member of the Indianapolis Hiking Club, leading numerous hikes. He enjoyed playing on the REMC Slow Pitch Softball Team in his younger years and working in his greenhouse. Jimmie is survived by his wife, Barbara Shoufler of Fortville; children, Debbie (Duane) Vansickle of Greenfield, Dennis (Kathy) Shoufler of Fortville, and Dan (Diane) Shoufler of Fortville; grand-
children, Justin Shoufler of Fortville, Kyle Shoufler of Modoc, Zach Shoufler of Fort Collins, CO, Jacob Shoufler of Fortville, and Maggie Shoufler of Fortville; brother, Ted (Rita) Shoufler of Bloomington; sister, Sharon Sexton of Columbus; brother and sister-in-laws, Phillip and Charlotte Slaughter of Greenfield and Don and Sylvia Hudson of Greenfield; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Alice Shoufler. A scholarship fund is being established by his grandchildren in his honor. Contributions can be made to “The Jim and Barbara Shoufler Youth Scholarship Fund”, c/o Greenfield Banking Co., 1920 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com. =
Farewells F O RT V I L L E – Jimmie Ray Shoufler, age 81, of Fortville, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Suburban Hospice of Hancock Regional Hospital after a short battle with Leukemia. He was born in Worthington, IN on November 2, 1938 to Ernest and Alice (Bays) Shoufler. He graduated from Charlottesville High School in 1956 and received his Bachelors in Science from Indiana Central College, now University of Indianapolis in 1973. Jimmie married Barbara (Hudson) on January 5, 1958 in Charlottesville. He worked for Eli Lilly for 39 years before retiring in 1993. He was a highly active volunteer with the Hancock County 4-H for 40 plus years and served as a 4-H leader, beef superintendent, president of the fair board and fair man66
shorthorn country = october 2020
