You have to share what’s in your head with your farm team. People can’t read minds.

Love does not read minds

You need to share what’s in your head and heart so have those farm transition discussions

An amazing group of Alberta farmers shared their deepest fears with me at the 2018 Agriculture Service Board Conference. They texted me their biggest issues regarding fairness in transition planning. I thought you might like to see what resonates for you in this list of texts (no particular order). What I have had to come […] Read more

Make face-to-face communication a priority in your relationship.

Ways to encourage the cherish factor with the one you love

Talk to each other and find out what you both want and need to feel loved

My husband of 36 years just dropped me off at the Minot airport in his pickup. We enjoyed the two-hour ride together listening to inspirational tunes, and laughing when we had to stop to help herd stray Angus back to their farm. As farm kids we both chased lots of cows, and it reminded us […] Read more


Marriage fitness… building a stronger team

Marriage fitness… building a stronger team

Spend some time this fall and winter to get your partnership in better shape

Some folks are thankful for a phenomenal crop this season, thanks to heaps of snow last winter giving residual moisture during our hot, dry summer. Unfortunately it seems that spouses may spend more attention on crop production than they do to their marriage partnerships, and the cracks are really showing up. I challenge you to […] Read more

How to help your farming father be really happy

How to help your farming father be really happy

What do fathers who are enjoying relationships with their successors say?

When I first typed out the title it was, “How to make your farming father really happy,” but that didn’t sit well because I believe that each of us as emotionally mature adults gets to wake up every morning and decide what our mood and responses will be. We get to choose to be happy […] Read more


How to have your voice heard

Here's some tips to have your opinions and ideas count at the farm decision-making table

I’ve consumed a bit too much chocolate in my adventures at the Hershey Lodge in Pennsylvania. You are given a large Hershey bar at check-in, a bag full (over 10 chocolate kisses with room service breakfast) and chocolate butter at the banquet table. Even the shampoo and conditioner smell like chocolate! Many women love chocolate. […] Read more

Who am I as father, founder and farmer?

You need to be intentional about being rich in relationships

As an outsider looking in to the many farm families that I am honoured to share time with, it always saddens me to see folks who cannot seem to grasp happiness beyond what they do as farmers, especially when it is time to let go of control of decision-making and let the next generation be […] Read more


Working towards a bully-free farm culture

Author offers insight if your the target of bullying and what you can do about it

She came up to me quietly after my presentation, looking tired and sad. “Elaine I haven’t been off the farm in months, and I don’t know who is going to help us with seeding. I am 70 and I cannot take this anymore. My husband is very verbally abusive and won’t get help for his […] Read more