How a Passion for Agriculture and Small Town Living is Shaping the Next Generation of Legal and Community Leaders

Host lauren Moylan, article written By Gracelyn Boren

Paige Harding’s journey into agricultural law began long before law school. Raised on a cow-calf and crop operation outside Dodge City, Kansas, her business mindset was shaped by her father. At just 10 years old, Harding and her sisters bought their first herd of cows, managing their own operation with a detailed business plan presented to the bank. This experience taught them budgeting, management, and responsibility—skills that would follow Harding throughout her career. The sisters' success allowed them to start a snow cone business in high school, where they managed employees and balanced their schoolwork with growing entrepreneurial ventures.

Harding's deep connection to agriculture would later guide her career path. After graduating from the University of Kansas, she went on to attend Washburn Law School, drawn to its strong agricultural and rural law programs. She never planned to become an attorney, but over time, it became clear to her that rural areas needed more young professionals. Reflecting on this decision, she says she thanks herself every day for taking that leap, as it has given her the opportunity to help rural and agricultural communities thrive.

Now working as an attorney at Kennedy Berkeley, Harding specializes in agricultural law, with a particular focus on estate planning and transactional business. Through this work, she helps agricultural families make critical decisions about their businesses, ensuring that their operations can continue across generations. For Harding, this work is personal—each year, she witnesses the loss of farms and ranches that could have been preserved with better planning.

“What’s fair is not always what’s equal.”

— Paige Harding

A key area of her practice is educating farmers and ranchers on the importance of estate planning. She emphasizes that many agricultural businesses are unprepared for generational transitions, often leading to disputes or the sale of land. One of the most significant challenges Harding faces is navigating the fairness versus equality debate in asset division. For example, one sibling may actively work on the farm, while another lives elsewhere and is uninvolved. A proper estate plan ensures that the sibling running the operation gets the resources they need, while other family members are fairly compensated.

Harding advocates for the use of trusts over wills, especially for farming families. While wills must go through probate—a lengthy legal process that can take months and incur high costs—trusts avoid this altogether, ensuring a smoother transfer of assets. Trusts are particularly

beneficial for larger agricultural operations, helping families avoid the risk of having to sell off land or equipment to settle estate matters.

Discussing estate planning isn't easy, Harding admits, as it often involves confronting the reality of losing a family member. However, these difficult conversations are crucial for preserving family legacies. She encourages families to involve younger generations in daily operations early on. Giving them a “seat at the table” prepares them to take on leadership roles when the time comes, fostering confidence and a sense of responsibility.

After completing her education, Harding returned to her hometown of Dodge City, drawn by the strong sense of community rural life offers. She’s now dedicated to using her legal expertise to serve farmers and ranchers in the region, helping them safeguard their livelihoods and build long-term stability.

In addition to her legal work, Harding is passionate about encouraging young professionals to return to rural areas. In her free time, she blogs on her website, sharing insights on rural living and the unique opportunities it offers. She believes that rural communities provide a sense of belonging and professional fulfillment that urban areas simply can’t match.

Her advice to others? "Just go for it." Whether it's starting a career, going to law school, or launching a farming venture, Harding encourages people to embrace the opportunities available in rural life and agriculture. The challenges may be great, but so are the rewards.

Tyler Schuster, our guest on the podcast this week, shared her unique journey in agricultural policy. Her roots lie in a ranch in Southwest Texas, where she was part of a graduating class of only 47 people. Growing up in a small town, she was an active member of her local 4-H and FFA chapters. It was her high school agricultural teacher who broadened her horizons, showing her that there were agricultural options beyond ranch work.

Paige's Links:

Website - https://www.paigeharding.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigeeharding/

Email - pharding@kenberk.com

Law Office Website - https://www.kenberk.com/