A significant benefit of courageous conversations is in learning what everyone on the team thinks, feels and wants.

Just converse — it feels so good to talk

Know your communication style, and be ready to make room for others’ styles

Being able to talk freely with your farm team and feel they understand what you are needing is a huge gift! Accept you can’t make other people change, but you can change how you respond and handle things. Talking is the work. Decide today that you are going to become more self-aware and self-controlled around […] Read more

It’s up to you to improve your skills in sharing your ideas, thoughts and feelings in the culture of your farm business.

How to embrace a positive perspective for farm transition

People who feel their concerns are taken seriously will feel understood

Imagine this is the day you’re hopping out of bed with a new spring in your step as you anticipate the life-changing transaction taking place this afternoon. You, your spouse and your folks are headed to the lawyer’s office to officially sign shareholder agreements. You’re excited to finally have some certainty for your future. How […] Read more


parents and an adult child discussing finances

Get the tough and tender transition conversations started in 2024

A farm’s founders may not want the embarrassment if they see a personal net worth lower than expected

Seven years ago, here’s what I said about getting transition conversations started: Show up as adults to attack the issues, do not attack the person who is delivering ideas for change. Understand transition is a journey of many plans, with communication as the foundation. Spend some quiet time with yourself thinking about what you truly […] Read more

Why can’t farm moms ask for what they need?

Why can’t farm moms ask for what they need?

It could be due to scarcity mindsets, generational neglect of needs or disrespect of in-laws

December can be an emotionally strained month with high expectations for seasonal celebrations and gifts. Last year, due to a myriad of circumstances and miscommunication, my Christmas stocking was skinny, and truthfully, I was disappointed and tempted to feel sorry for myself. When you consider the terrible wars in the Middle East and Ukraine though, […] Read more


Managing your own needs and the needs of your spouse is the dance of work/life balance.

Froese: Farmers need to find time for family

There are lots of creative solutions, if you’re willing to put your mind to it

Back in 1987, before some of you reading this were born, I was asked to write about balancing work and family. It’s now 2023, and the same questions come from my audiences around key challenges like how to achieve work/life balance or how to get more family time on the farm. The dance between work […] Read more

It’s important to have family business meetings with all your blended family members, including farm heirs and non-farm heirs. This way, expectations can be managed and your direction and intentions for transferring management and ownership are clear.

Making blended farm families work

It can be a difficult transition, but here are some tools that can help

When you get married, you blend two different styles of family dynamics, and it takes a while to adjust. According to the 2011 Canadian Census, 12 per cent of Canadian families involve step-parenting. You can imagine the adjustments needed when these stepparents run farms. In our coaching practice, we help blended ag families navigate this […] Read more


Your combine monitors constantly give feedback, but farm owners or managers often don’t share with family member employees how they’re meeting expectations.

How to reduce stress at harvest

Communication, like combines, can get plugged up during this busy time. Here are some tips that can help

Many of you who read this may view plugged combines as a welcome problem after several years of reduced crops due to drought. I don’t operate a combine any longer, yet I like the word picture or vision of trying to shove in too much crop too fast as a “thunk” (my technical term for […] Read more

Photo: StockSeller_ukr/istock/getty images

Honest communication: The key for farm succession

Unsure of your future on the family farm? Helping Dad share his emotions can achieve clarity for all

The green of spring and summer in this country goes by far too quickly. Our eldest granddaughter turned six two months ago, which means I have just 12 summers left before she launches at 18. Yes, time is going by, and many farms may share this situation. As Mom and Dad age on the farm, […] Read more



Froese: Making sure you’re up to the task

Froese: Making sure you’re up to the task

Checklists that spell out peoples’ roles and responsibilities can contribute to happier farms

I believe folks are happy in their roles on the farm when it is clear what is expected of them, and they have the proper tools to get the job done. It is also important that older folks know what kind of work they want to do as they step back without stepping away. I’m […] Read more