The old-school linear rule of life states that “if you just work harder, you will get ahead.” The new reality for agriculture’s next generation of managers is, “How do we find and use the best practices to work smart and be profitable?” Respected ag consultant Dick Wittman quips, “What worked for the older generation of […] Read more
‘Dad won’t let me go!… Really?’
Farmers need hobbies; what is yours?
“Retirement is an artificial construct, stop thinking about it. Think about reinvention instead. I know too many people in their 60s who have “retired” from their occupations and are, basically, sitting around waiting to die. There is no moral or religious code calling for the excitement of life to end before life ends.” — Alan […] Read more
What the next generation needs for succession success
Founders typically want to know where their income streams will be after they let go of power and control of management and/or ownership. They also have marital conflict about home residence issues, and how to be fair to non-business heirs. The next generation can’t wait to gain equity, quota, and more decision-making power. Young farmers […] Read more
Happy Christmas in the country
Heaps of snow in the Peace region of Alberta make it easy to visualize a “white Christmas” as I write this. If I were to ask you about the top 10 things that make a great Christmas celebration for you, what would you answer? Most families that I work with want to maintain family harmony, […] Read more
Do good things come to those who wait?
An experiment was conducted in 1992 at Stanford University, in which four-year-old children were given a choice. A marshmallow was put in front of them; they could either eat the marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes, after which they would be given two marshmallows. Researchers met the kids again as teenagers. What do you think […] Read more
Power of target dates, timelines and action
There’s nothing more scary for farm families who are trying to gain control over their lives than to have no clue about what the future holds. I am chuckling as I write today because today is the first time that I have been gently asked over the phone if I would like the “senior’s discount” […] Read more
Shed some stuff and share the story
As I write this, we are in the final stages of seeding the crop. As you read this, I hope you are camping with family, or relaxing after a full day of haying or spraying. The busy season on the farm gets interrupted when someone is critically ill or dies suddenly. I am not trying […] Read more
You are not alone
As we flipped the chart of papers from the young farmers’ seminar in St. John’s a phrase caught my eye. A young producer had shared that one of the key insights of the day was “I am not alone.” Farm families are quite surprised to hear me affirm them with the words “you are not […] Read more
Your deepest needs
I once asked my Sunday school class, a faithful group of farmers and rural folks, “How do you find out what someone really needs?” They shared their thoughts on listening deeply, spending time with people to build relationships, and relying on God to give wisdom. We’ve learned how we are all shaped differently by our […] Read more
A farm widow’s business savvy
Another fatal farm accident report hits my ears, just after presenting to a large group in Westlock, Alberta. “Another young farm widow joins a club she doesn’t ever want to belong to, I wonder how she will manage the farm, her family, herself.” I wonder. Now that I belong to the “Freedom 55” club, I […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
