Learning the human resources side of management and leadership is particularly helpful if your farm business has employees or a multi-generational workforce, farm family coach Lydia Carpenter writes.
Tag Archives family
Run the farm with its people in mind
Farm Family Coach: Developing skills in HR management is especially valuable on farms with employees or a multi-generational workforce
Increase farm productivity by being intentional about time
Farm Family Coach: Even if we hate making hard plans, we should work with clarity about what we want and need
What if, instead of — ugh — “planning,” we set intentions for the given time we spend in our farm operations, then held ourselves accountable to create more meaningful ways of showing up?
Build a simple, effective farm framework for decision-making
Seeds of Encouragement: Ask the right questions now to establish a governance model that works for your farm family
If you listen to enough ag podcasts, you’ll soon conclude that the success of a farm family business comes from people having the power to flourish and make good decisions. Courtney Pullen’s book Intentional Wealth: How Families Build Legacies of Stewardship and Financial Health speaks to effective family systems. Strong families that know their values […] Read more
Being an emotionally strong farm parent
Strong-willed and independent people might consider a self-coaching approach
Tis the season of farm meetings, where the speakers will talk about business and “keeping the emotion” out of business using data to make concrete decisions. I don’t debate this approach for grain marketing, but I highly doubt stuffing emotions on the farm creates clarity of expectations or happy outcomes. Recently I met Carolyn Stern, […] Read more
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
Be a better listener
Feelings of not being heard can fuel frustration in farm families. Here are some tips that can help
In January, I had the delight of watching a group of 20 farm employees and managers racing against the clock to change race car tires in Bob Parker’s Pit Crew Challenge. Parker is a longtime friend and motivational speaker. His Pit Crew Challenge, which features real NASCAR-type race cars and former race car drivers, challenges […] 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
New rule on farm transfer tax treatment put off to 2022
Farm groups protest delay
Rule changes passed in a federal bill to standardize tax treatment for sales of family-owned farms and small businesses will be delayed to the start of 2022, to the dismay of several farm groups. Bill C-208, a private member’s bill spearheaded by western Manitoba Conservative MP Larry Maguire with amendments to the federal Income Tax […] Read more
Froese: Growing to be a good, good father on the farm
Sometimes this involves healing wounds in the family that are keeping the business stuck
I’ve taken to music therapy to lift my mood during this Great Pause, and one of my favourite playlist songs is “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. It helps me keep perspective on the character of God as we are all searching for answers far and wide. It reminds me of the many farm dads […] Read more
How to get more time off on the farm
This will mean considering some new approaches and making some intentional choices
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
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
