There’s nothing scarier for farm families who are trying to gain control over their lives than to have no clue about what the future holds. As a coach I call this “the pain of not knowing.” Time has a way of slipping quickly by, something like the toilet paper roll that spins faster as it […] Read more
Froese: The power of target dates
Seeds of Encouragement: Setting timelines for action can be key in planning your farm’s future
Froese: Reduce family friction
How to get your non-farm siblings on board with your farm vision
Are your aunts and uncles still talking to your farm parents? Do you have a broken branch of your family tree that has been severed forever due to estrangement? Would you like to have a healing story for your farm family transition with no drama? “The Farmland Dilemma: Help! The Siblings Who Don’t Farm are […] Read more
Froese: Stop the micromanaging
Farm founders can have a hard time letting the next generation take charge. Here are some tips that can help
Men and women who are farm founders must eventually let go of being the ultimate decision makers as they mentor the next generation to be the main farm managers. This is not an easy dance. They need to learn to let go of being in control of every part, however small the enterprise or activity […] Read more
How to reinvent your farm life as you age
Mind Switch could be a good place to start
Harvest is in full swing on our farm, and I am not there — for a few days. Where is it written you cannot leave the farm during harvest? (Answer: on almost every page of the unpublished book, The Culture of Agriculture.) If you are one of the 2,800 folks who have stumbled upon “Finding […] Read more
Use the power of a letter to get unstuck
Young farmers can feel frustrated sometimes not knowing the certainty of their future — here’s how putting a pen to paper can help
Sometimes we have to go back to basics in order to keep healthy change happening on our farms. Some young farmers can feel stuck and overwhelmed with a large degree of anxiety from not knowing the certainty of the future — caught up in what William Bridges has termed “the neutral zone.” You want to […] Read more
Your farm’s emotional tank needs checking
Follow these tips for a conflict-free harvest
As a farm partner, I absolutely love this time of year. Harvest is the reward we work hard towards all year long. However, it can also be a time of blow-ups, which many farm families find hard to manage. So, here’s a refresher on what you need to check besides greasing your combines. The culture […] Read more
‘You are not alone’
Don’t try to hide what’s really going on. Reach out to folks who can help you
Years ago as I 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 […] Read more
The power of perspective
By putting yourself in another person’s position you will gain many insights
One of my favourite Irish sayings is “Every front door looks beautiful!” You never really know what is truly going on in someone’s life until you get to the kitchen table and develop a relationship. The skill to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is called “perspective taking.” Recently during a family meeting as we […] Read more
When it’s hard to honour Mom what can I do?
When you’re feeling stuck in your relationship here’s some suggestions
Coming to terms with a farm mom who is difficult to deal with may not be what you were expecting to read. After decades coaching farm families, one might expect that farm moms always are collaborative and willing to negotiate what is the best for all members of the family. Recently, the word “narcissist” has […] Read more
Froese: How to write a will with joy
Even the best-laid-out transition plans are derailed when new documents are not signed
I want you to read this column and act. I recently did a virtual presentation with 120 farmers and many of them did not have wills in place. Stop procrastination now! I’ve encountered folks who are all dealing with different kinds of loss. One a husband whose wife is suffering from a stroke. One a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
