Hopefully you are reading this in full sunlight with the heat of the sunbeams bathing your arms in warmth. #Harvest 2019 is but a memory, yet for some may be now #harvest2020! A podcast guest, a functional medical doctor says, “Don’t let age be your cage,” when folks complain about the aches and pains of […] Read more
Froese: Don’t let age be your cage
Pay attention to what decade of life you’re in and what needs to be addressed at that stage
Lead with love: Date nights on the farm
You may have to get creative to block off some time to be together
As the co-author of Farming’s In-Law Factor I spent a year of Tuesdays researching, interviewing and asking tough questions about marriage on the farm. There is precious little research on how to keep farm marriages strong. Young farmers tell me they don’t have time to read books. Spouses tell me they are longing for some […] Read more
A new frame to see transition possibility and movement
Here’s some language tools to use to help persuade and influence others
If you’re fighting storms or sorting cows, grab five minutes to soak this story in. You cannot neglect tending to the needs of your cows. Let’s talk about embracing the same urgency with your farm transition conversations. My speaker friend Shelle Rose Charvet, author of Words that Change Minds, has tools for better language that […] Read more
The gift of healing stories in agriculture
This gift will not cost you any money — only your time and attention
Pierrette believes as I do that positive feedback and pointing out good actions is important to creating a healthier culture in our farm teams. Pouzer and Koutes authored Encouraging the Heart of Your Business that echoes the same theme. As Christmas celebrations approach I’d like to challenge you to take a risk this year in […] Read more
Froese: Dealing with the denial of dementia
This is very difficult for a spouse who sees decline and the partner won’t accept their loss of abilities
BDO’s Maggie Van Camp, leader of agricultural development, sees the key foreboding issue for agriculture as farm succession. She asks, “Who is going to farm in future generations… and how the heck are we going to transfer the management and ownership of those farms? Never before have the older generation lived this long; Never before […] Read more
Froese: Managing your power to choose on your farm
How are you doing? Are you making good choices to manage your energy?
Work/life balance” comes up for many young farmers, but it’s time to change our language to “choices we make to manage time” and take action. “We freak about not having time when what we really don’t have is energy!” says Marjorie Ingall. Kirstin Van Ogtrop says “Balance is less about circumstance and more about perspective. […] Read more
Froese: After this harvest what are you getting ready for?
What do you really want to do? How will you spend your time?
A weather-worn farmer has recently transferred a major part of the farm business to his millennial successor. He asks his spouse, “What are we going to do for the next 20 years?” She reflects with a hint of surprise in her voice, “What do you really want?” The Wall Street Journal published how retirees are […] Read more
Froese: When brothers don’t see eye to eye
One of the bulls in the middle of the farmhouse that we need to chase after is the undiscussabull of “my brother would never agree to that.” These transition conversations are as fresh as a newly minted cow plop, and they stink, too. “Elaine, my dad is great to work with, but he won’t stand […] Read more
How to approach Father for more financial transparency
Find out what’s causing fear of transparency and learn how to talk openly about money
One of the key definitions for fairness I use is “Fairness is helping everyone be successful.” The “F” in FAIR, stands for financial transparency. What does this mean to young farmers hoping to take over the management of the farm? It means everything! Last night our family had an impromptu meal at the successor’s home. […] Read more
Calibrate yourself for seeding, create positive responses
Be aware of how you’re reacting to the farm team when under pressure
Getting machines ready for seeding launches farmers out of bed in anticipation of a new season. “How are you calibrating yourself for seeding stresses?” As we age, are we open to change behaviours and do a “reset of our default habits” to create a more positive culture on our farm team? Peter Drucker said “culture […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
