A new year of possibilities. My parents married December 27, 1955. My brothers each chose to marry that same week in 1984, and 1990. I, being the rebel got married on Independence Day, July 4, 1981. Wes and I have outlasted Chuck and Di who married the same year, same month. Divorce is one of the […] Read more
How to prevent divorce on farms
Divorce can wreak havoc and is one of the biggest threats to farm family legacy
Increase your fun factor this Christmas
Play, people connections, and photo memories can all increase the fun on your farm
Christmas Eve is eight weeks away as I write this note to you and possibly mere days away as you read this! I am curious if that statement strikes panic into your heart or soothes your soul. Strong farm families celebrate together. I wonder what kinds of intentional moves you could make this year for the […] Read more
Farm women… love yourself more than your cows!
Home Quarter: Are you tired of being last? Decide what to hang on to and what to let go of
The cartoon featured a man and wife sitting upright in their bed with the man holding a pitchfork and a Holstein cow between them. The caption reads: “Honey you love your cows more than me!” Some dairy folks don’t find this funny, because they see a grain of truth in the humour. The cows often […] Read more
Stopping the conflict avoidance dance on your farm
Here’s some ways to engage in constructive conversation
You are likely exhausted from harvest as you have grabbed this paper for a few moments of “downtime.” Harvest stress gives everyone on the farm team a chance to show their true colours as to how they manage mistakes and high tension. My question for you is, “Are you tired of the conflict avoidance dance […] Read more
Eating well for a happy farm team
Good food can increase productivity, improve efficiency, and keep those workers coming back
In July I had the fun and privilege of joining 30 farm women in a cooking experience at the Kansas City Culinary Center. In teams of six we cooked meals for low-income families and also heard how two farm women, Karmen and Kerri Mehman of MBS Family Farms make 40 freezer meals that feed a […] Read more
Importance of taking time with friends and community
Not only good for our well-being, they can also give perspective of what’s happening in our lives
The summer is slipping away quickly, yet I hope that you’ve carved out some time for visiting, camping and fishing. We all are busy farmers, but deep down there is a longing that I see for folks hoping to have a deeper sense of connection. This column is an excerpt from our book Farming’s In-Law […] Read more
Who am I as father, founder and farmer?
You need to be intentional about being rich in relationships
As an outsider looking in to the many farm families that I am honoured to share time with, it always saddens me to see folks who cannot seem to grasp happiness beyond what they do as farmers, especially when it is time to let go of control of decision-making and let the next generation be […] Read more
Depression, and dealing with changing roles on the farm
May your new work excite your heart, Kindle in your mind a creativity To journey beyond the old limits Of all that has become wearisome. May this work challenge you toward New frontiers that will emerge As you begin to approach them, Calling forth from you the full force And depth of your undiscovered gifts. […] Read more
Working towards a bully-free farm culture
Author offers insight if your the target of bullying and what you can do about it
She came up to me quietly after my presentation, looking tired and sad. “Elaine I haven’t been off the farm in months, and I don’t know who is going to help us with seeding. I am 70 and I cannot take this anymore. My husband is very verbally abusive and won’t get help for his […] Read more
Top ‘phrases’ for coaching farm families
The Elaine Froese (phrase) that pays
One snowy day at a beautiful ranch home in southern Alberta around the expansive kitchen table, the farm team said, “Elaine you should make a list of your top phrases that you use in coaching.” “OK,” I said, knowing that many of the best projects are started by attentive practical ranchers and farmers who call […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
