Prairie Family Business Association

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Prairie Family Business Association We are the premier resource for helping family businesses thrive for generations. Visit fambus.org

Prairie Family Business Association is the premier network of resources to help family businesses thrive for generations. We provide family businesses with the tools to grow, engage, transition, and prosper through high-quality education, networking, and collaboration. Founded in 1992 as an outreach center to the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business Professionals, the Prairie Family Business Association helps family businesses throughout the United States navigate the complexities of being in business together. Our membership offers a unique opportunity for all generations to learn and connect with family business experts and other enterprising families through our distinguished annual conference, ongoing educational programming and webinars, networking events, and affinity peer groups. Learn more about our work and how we support your family business success at fambus.org.

10/13/2026

A major generational transition is underway for family businesses across North America.

As more owners prepare for what comes next, families are facing questions about succession, ownership, responsibility, and how to prepare the next generation to carry the business forward.

PFBA Executive Director Eric Erickson shares perspective on the scale of today’s wealth transfer and a few surprising statistics that help put this generational shift into context.

For family businesses, these transitions can take years to prepare for. Starting the conversation early gives families more time to think through leadership, ownership, and the role the next generation may play.

Hear Eric’s perspective in this clip from KELO Radio 1320 AM’s “It’s Your Business.” Thank you to Bill Zortman and Rock Nelson for the conversation.

Thrive for Generations.
fambus.org

10/08/2026

🎙️ When something goes wrong in your family business, who do you call first?

For Kara Peterson, VP of Operations and part-owner of G&H Distributing Inc., that question became very real when an unexpected crisis put the business, its systems, and its response plan to the test.

In the newest episode of the Family Business Connection podcast, Kara shares what unfolded in the first 24 to 48 hours, the decisions her team had to make quickly, and why the trusted advisors already in their corner made such a difference.

The conversation also explores the gaps that can develop when a business operates with an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset, especially as technology and potential threats continue to change.

🎧 Listen to “The First 48 Hours” on your favorite podcast platform or at fambus.org/podcast.

We’re grateful to Eide Bailly for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of family businesses.

Thrive for Generations.

One week away.As your family business grows, how do you make sure your people are growing with it?Join PFBA on October 1...
10/07/2026

One week away.

As your family business grows, how do you make sure your people are growing with it?

Join PFBA on October 15 at 12 PM CT for “Developing Talent to Match Your Strategic Ambition: Don’t Let Your Business Outgrow Your People.”

Mike Meagher, Founder and CEO of Sagency, and Dr. Matt Skoy, Head of Leadership and Talent, will explore:

• How to connect talent development to business direction
• Where gaps in skills and leadership may exist
• How to prepare current team members for what comes next
• How to develop leaders before growth puts added pressure on the organization

The conversation will give family business leaders a stronger framework for thinking about the people side of growth.

đź“… October 15 | 12 PM CT
đź”— Register here: bit.ly/4zt7HDI

Thrive for Generations.

Family businesses are often economic anchors in their communities, which makes succession and continuity an economic dev...
10/06/2026

Family businesses are often economic anchors in their communities, which makes succession and continuity an economic development issue too.

Recently, PFBA Executive Director Eric Erickson joined Aggie Johnson, Founder of PFBA sponsor WillKate, at the EDPA Annual Conference for a breakout session on “Passing the Torch: Why Family Business Matters to Economic Development and Community Stability.”

Together, they explored how economic development professionals can better support family-owned businesses as they prepare for leadership, ownership, and generational transition.

Attendees also received PFBA’s Family Business Checkup, a tool designed to help family businesses start conversations around leadership, ownership, governance, and planning for the future.

Take the Family Business Checkup: fambus.org/family-checkup

Thrive for Generations.

10/05/2026

Outside perspective can help a family business see what is harder to recognize from inside the company.

For Cloverdale Foods Company, an advisory board brought fresh thinking, challenged assumptions, and helped leaders consider where the business should focus next.

Family businesses often carry deep history, strong values, and long-standing ways of operating. Over time, that can make it harder to step back and ask:

What needs to change?
Where should we focus?
What are we missing?

A well-chosen board can help family leaders examine those questions with people who understand the business while bringing a different point of view.

Hear how Cloverdale Foods Company has put outside perspective to work.

Thrive for Generations.

A great evening with the PFBA community in Des Moines!Our September Member Mixer brought family business leaders togethe...
10/02/2026

A great evening with the PFBA community in Des Moines!

Our September Member Mixer brought family business leaders together to connect, catch up, and spend time with others who understand the opportunities and challenges that come with leading a family business.

These gatherings continue to create space for relationships, shared perspective, and conversations that often carry well beyond the event itself.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Des Moines. We always appreciate the time together.

Thrive for Generations.
fambus.org/membership

10/01/2026

🎙️ What does growth really cost a family business?

Growth can create new opportunities, but it can also put pressure on the people, systems, and support behind the business.

Episode 3 of the Family Business Connection podcast is now live, and PFBA member Jonah Snyder of Pomegranate Market shares what that looked like as his family business grew from one location to two and a team of 85 employees.

The conversation explores when outside HR support may make sense, how stronger systems can support employees as the business grows, and how a family mission can help guide decisions across generations.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or at fambus.org/podcast.

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, PRO Resources, for being part of the conversation and supporting family businesses.

Thrive for Generations.

Perspective grows when your network does.Family business can feel deeply personal, but the challenges families face arou...
09/30/2026

Perspective grows when your network does.

Family business can feel deeply personal, but the challenges families face around ownership, succession, leadership, governance, and relationships are rarely theirs alone.

PFBA members span 20 states and 2 countries, creating a community where family business leaders can learn from others across different industries, markets, and generations who understand many of the same complexities.

A broader network brings new ideas, different experiences, and perspectives that can help families think differently about the future of their enterprise.

Explore PFBA membership and the community behind it at fambus.org/membership

Thrive for Generations.

09/29/2026

Family business leadership can feel lonely, especially when family dynamics, ownership, succession, and the future of the business are all part of the same conversation.

One thing family business leaders often need is perspective from people who understand what they are working through.

In this month’s Family Business Perspective, Executive Director Eric Erickson shares what he recently heard from two family business leaders and how connecting with the right people helped each of them move forward.

For one, that meant meeting regularly with peers who had faced similar challenges. For another, it meant working with professional advisors to identify next steps for the family.

The reminder is simple: your family is not the only one navigating these questions.

Sometimes, finding the right room can change the conversation.

Learn more at fambus.org/membership

Thrive for Generations.

What can an outside perspective reveal about your family business?For Edney Distributing Co., the PFBA Family Business A...
09/28/2026

What can an outside perspective reveal about your family business?

For Edney Distributing Co., the PFBA Family Business Action Plan created space to step outside the day-to-day and examine ownership transition, governance, family communication, and the future of the business.

A multidisciplinary team of advisers reviewed the family’s plans, asked new questions, and identified areas that deserved more attention. That process helped the Edney family move forward with steps including a family council, new communication structures, and continued planning for future generations.

As Jennifer Edney shared, “The only cost is your time and courageous candor. I can’t think of a better return on either.”

Read the full article bit.ly/4dSW9QZ

Learn more about the PFBA Family Business Action Plan at fambus.org/action-plan

Thrive for Generations.

Address

Sioux Falls, SD

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16052749530

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