Succession Planning Emerges as Key Workforce Priority for Agriculture and Food Employers

Breakout session at the 2026 AgCareers Agriculture & Food Roundtable Conference will focus on leadership continuity, internal talent development and workforce resilience.

• Bonnie Johnson
• June 03, 2026
• Media Article

Succession planning is now a leading driver of hiring activity in the agriculture and food industry, as agriculture and food employers are taking a longer-term view of workforce needs, prioritizing retention, leadership readiness, and replacement planning to address ongoing labor demands. To address these needs, the AgCareers Roundtable Conference in Champaign, Illinois will feature a breakout session about succession planning for sustainable growth.

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Succession planning is now a leading driver of hiring activity in the agriculture and food industry, as employers prepare for retirements, career progression, and future skill needs, according to findings from the latest AgCareers HR Review.

 

Employers are taking a longer-term view of workforce needs, prioritizing retention, leadership readiness, and replacement planning to address ongoing labor demands.

 

To address these needs, the AgCareers Roundtable Conference, August 4-6, 2026, in Champaign, Illinois, will feature a breakout session about succession planning for sustainable growth. Jay Lux, Vice President of Organizational Development, FCCS Consulting, will lead the session.

 

“Succession planning is often misunderstood as a reactive measure, something to revisit only when a vacancy occurs, or an executive retires,” shares Lux. “However, genuinely strategic organizations treat it as a continuous, year-round discipline that ensures leadership continuity, develops internal talent, and drives employee engagement,” adds Lux.

 

This session will explore:

• How to align business strategy with talent planning
• Leadership continuity and preparation for future workforce needs
• Practical approaches to identifying key roles and developing internal talent
• Building sustainable succession plans
• Supporting growth, reducing risk, and strengthening organizational resilience

 

The session will also cover practical tools for measuring individual talent and potential. “Well-liked individuals are often polished communicators and vibrant personalities,” says Lux. “These are wonderful traits, but it can be easy to fall victim to charisma, allowing strong personal presence to overshadow gaps in leadership competency, decision-making capability, or organizational fit,” notes Lux.

 

At FCCS, Lux leads a team of professionals who build organizational strategy, facilitate the growth and development of leadership and individual skills, construct succession and talent management systems, assess and select senior leadership, lead change, maximize team effectiveness, measure cultural and maximize engagement levels to improve results.

 

The annual AgCareers Agriculture & Food Roundtable Conference brings together employers, educators, and industry leaders from across agriculture and food to discuss workforce challenges, talent development, recruitment strategies, and emerging industry trends. Attendees gain practical insights, build connections, and leave with actionable strategies to strengthen their organizations and programs. Check out the full Roundtable Agenda here. 

 

In addition to the Roundtable Conference, executives and senior leaders are invited to add-on the Executive & Senior Leadership Forum, an exclusive half-day experience designed for leaders committed to strengthening their leadership and making an impact in today’s evolving agriculture and food industry.  

 

REGISTER NOW!