Harvest is in high gear, cattle are moving and you think you cannot stop working. Your voice is louder and your sleep is lousy and you wonder if you are going to stay married with all the demands on your time. You have choices. Consider a new approach. Time for a mindset shift. 1. Track […] Read more
How to get more time off on the farm
This will mean considering some new approaches and making some intentional choices
Froese: How to increase the fun factor this summer
With many activities being cancelled or postponed — time to get creative
Sitting close to the water, feeling warm sunshine on my face, tracking the clouds, helps me feel renewed by nature. Farmers are a lucky lot as they are in nature every day, it just depends on their mindset whether they are being renewed or riled. Summer 2020 will breeze by quickly. The key question for […] Read more
Froese: Encouraging farm fathers
Here’re some ways and practical tools to help you do just that
If I could show you a way to increase the family harmony on your farm and help you be more profitable at the same time would you listen? Would you be courageous enough to look at your own issues, strengths and weaknesses? I bet you would if it was easy. People problems on farms are […] Read more
Froese: One day at a time tips for the ‘Great Pause’
These days more than ever we need to remember ‘the only time that exists is right now’
Sun streams onto my computer as I imagine what life is like for you on your farm in the middle of May 2020. I’ve just been blessed by the wise words of Donna Brighton, of the Brighton Leadership group, a wise coach and realistic woman. Our families need us to lead from the core of […] Read more
Froese: Vision for family, farm and ownership — What now?
With the ripple effect of the pandemic now is the time to redefine where you’re at
Farmers are problem solvers and fixers, but I don’t think we anticipated the ripple effect of a pandemic on our families, our farms and our future. I’ve spent the last few weeks anchored at my farm office calling out to farmers, listening, and drilling deep to share a well of hope. On a Zoom call […] Read more
Froese: Assumption-free living on your farm
Don’t assume you know the reason for another’s actions — ask for clarification
A weary-looking farm woman waits patiently in line making sure she is the last one to speak to me privately after my keynote. She has just one question. “When is the right time to start including our daughter-in-law in family business meetings; she doesn’t know a thing!” How would you respond? Reflective listening is activated, […] Read more
Froese: Risk, choice and opportunity — your farm’s transition
Start by looking at the challenges, creating solutions and beginning the process with a trusted adviser
Late last year I decided to stop listening to sad farm transition stories, proposing a new hashtag for Twitter #healingstories4ag. “Succession planning would be considerably less difficult if the long-term stability of the agricultural industry was more predictable. Given the current hurdles, long-term profitability is very uncertain! I do not wish to transfer an operation […] Read more
Froese: Tools to build trust on your farm
How much better would life on your farm be if trust wasn’t an issue?
Stephen Covey authored the great book The Speed of Trust. Imagine how much better life would be on your farm if trust was not an issue. When a farm founder trusts the next generation it’s a beautiful thing to behold. The spirit of generosity is fully empowered to help each generation find success in their […] Read more
Froese: Tips to help you communicate
Research shows families who have regular business meetings are more profitable
It warms my coaching heart to sit in a workshop with a group of smart women in agriculture who truly want better communication on our farms. Some of these tips I’m sharing were generated by FCC’s Patti Durand, my friend and a great transition specialist at Connect Ag 2019. (Watch FCC Focus on Farm Transition […] Read more
Froese: Housing hassles on the farm and how to navigate them
Problems can arise when farm founders are thinking about how long to stay on the main farmyard
A distraught middle-aged farm woman asks for advice on buying her daughter a farmhouse just down the road. This is a loaded question. When farm founders are considering how long they want to stay on the main farmyard, there can be lots of conflict and frustration. I suspect the mom’s plan was to have “switch […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
