Winter is a great time to take a fresh look at how our plans are unfolding. As a speaker, it’s also a season of meeting and greeting many stressed-out farm families who are seeking solutions to being stuck. BDO’s Jim Synder has a daughter who thinks that families who see fairness defined as “helping everyone […] Read more
Finding fairness in farm transition
How are your plans unfolding? Now is the perfect time to check on this
A dozen things about divorce
Here’s a friend’s observations about her own divorce journey
Speaking to my tribe of farm advisers I mentioned that I was walking alongside four friends navigating the process of divorce, and a colleague in my audience said, “Elaine, make that five friends… ugh!” My best friend from Grade 8 offers these observations about her divorce journey, with her permission of course! Both partners need […] Read more
Ways to encourage the cherish factor with the one you love
Talk to each other and find out what you both want and need to feel loved
My husband of 36 years just dropped me off at the Minot airport in his pickup. We enjoyed the two-hour ride together listening to inspirational tunes, and laughing when we had to stop to help herd stray Angus back to their farm. As farm kids we both chased lots of cows, and it reminded us […] Read more
Lessons from the hospital
When my husband was in a serious accident I learned many things while helping to care for him
My new year is in September when harvest is in full swing. On October 2, 2017 our farm family entered a new season of caring for my husband Wes, who collided at an uncontrolled intersection in his 2015 pickup with a heavy-duty trailer which flipped. Multiple rib fractures, concussion and a separated shoulder put Wes […] Read more
How do we tell our non-farming children they are not getting a raw deal?
Start by asking what fairness looks like as farm assets are transitioned
Our 33-year-old daughter was lamenting the fact that there is no longer a Sears Christmas Wish book. Decades ago she delighted in flipping pages of the coloured catalogue seeking out requests for her wish list, hoping that the cherished gifts would be under our Christmas tree. I remember the not-so-happy Christmas when some of the […] Read more
Marriage fitness… building a stronger team
Spend some time this fall and winter to get your partnership in better shape
Some folks are thankful for a phenomenal crop this season, thanks to heaps of snow last winter giving residual moisture during our hot, dry summer. Unfortunately it seems that spouses may spend more attention on crop production than they do to their marriage partnerships, and the cracks are really showing up. I challenge you to […] Read more
Kohl’s top producer tips in times of economic resets
Here’s some ideas to help become an even better farmer
Minnesota farmer Paul Zimmerman extended a firm handshake and greeting on behalf of his daughter to Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus from Virginia Tech. Zimmerman’s daughter is a likely successor to their farm. She started her mentorship with Dr. Kohl’s insights in Mankato, Minn. years ago when she wrote notes as a high schooler in […] Read more
Emotional agility during harvest
This means if you have troubling thoughts or emotions you can still act in a way that serves how you most want to live
I love harvest. The golden glow of waving wheat, the meals in the fields, and the joy of everyone on the farm team working hard to “get ’er done!” 2017 is a stressful harvest for the folks suffering from drought, the after-effects of the 2016 delayed harvest, and a myriad of other issues. Regardless of […] Read more
Farm dads and emotions of quitting farming
It’s my 22nd Father’s Day column and I will do my best to not make “Charlie from Saskatchewan” feel like I am beating up farm dads! A reader asked me to write about the emotions of quitting farming. Let’s take the approach of the farm culture attributes farm founders appreciate. What might it feel like […] Read more
Who will be at your table this Easter?
Hospitality is a good way to draw people together and build understanding
Watching the snow fly and hearing the wind howl is great motivation to have visions of Easter breads, tulips, lilies and folks gathered to celebrate. I attended a gathering last weekend where we were reminded again about the importance of hospitality to draw folks together and build understanding. A farm transition consultant has the habit […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
