Elaine, I am feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed with this farm transfer thing.” “How do I talk to the kids without emotions running wild?” “We do fine until we try to get a sit-down family meeting with an agenda, then no one is really honest with what is going on here.” Communication that is clear and […] Read more
Clear, concise communication
The gift of contentment
As part of the redecorating project of my flooded basement, I took an ancient (faded) mountain print gold-framed picture to the glass guys, and had a mirror put into the frame. The print had faded to blues, but the story behind the picture prompted me to “repurpose” what other designers might label “junk.” This was […] Read more
How to love a farmer
Elaine is a marriage counsellor, even though she says she is a coach!” says the uncomfortable farmer after a coaching call. I tell my clients that “counselling is about recovery, but coaching is about discovery.” I want farm couples to discover what will work for them to be happier in their relationship as a couple, […] Read more
Wake up to women on your farm team
There’s a huge talent pool that agriculture needs to pay attention to,” quips BDO’s Jim Snyder as we visit on the plane. Jim leads the agriculture component of a Canada-wide accounting firm, and has experience with the chartered banks as well. He spent a lot of time on the road last year at seminars with […] Read more
Feeling Guilty For Not Having Meetings?
Many farm families are feeling a deep sense of guilt knowing they should be having business meetings, but they just don t seem to get around to it. The key factor is understanding why you need to meet. ” Family council to explore how the family operates. ” Succession planning. ” Estate planning: wills, inheritance, […] Read more
Gratitude And Understanding
Even though the aroma of turkey soup may have vacated your home, you likely can still recall the warm feelings of having folks express what things they were thankful for in 2011. People come in all sorts of colourful characters, but as a coach I ve seen amazing things happen when one person expresses appreciation […] Read more
Don’t Even Think About Not Dating Your Mate
This past August as I was celebrating my sister s milestone birthday in New York City I came across the parking sign which read, Don t even THINK of parking here! That pretty much sums up the attitude of folks in the Big Apple. In the past year I ve met with some disappointed men […] Read more
Why Farmers Love Carrots
Tomorrow at the farmers’ market I hope to find some garden-fresh carrots, seeing how my garden this year is one big patch of compost. Farmers love carrots don’t you know? They dangle one for years in front of the next generation, so to keep the young folks guessing when they will become part owners, and […] Read more
Eleven Tips To Stay Renewed
I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night instead of filing emails until midnight. I should know better since I need to get a really good sleep to stay on top of the daily demands of the farm. Vacuuming four shop vacs of water out of our waterlogged basement this morning only reminded […] Read more
Get Mom This Book For Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is only about a week away, but you still have time to get her the book she needs. I have done a lot of work this winter with women and money seminars and “Who gets the farm and when?” sessions with farm families. Here’s what I have observed: People are overwhelmed by the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
