Aside from preparing the next generation with the skill sets they need to be successful in managing the farm, increase the chances of them wanting to come back to the farm by creating work and life boundaries and aligning expectations to help family dynamics at work and home. Written for Progressive Dairy and originally published 11/4/2024 here. Dad and Mom want their son to return to the farm to continue the legacy. Junior and his new bride didn't seem that interested as they settled into building successful careers. It wasn't that Junior and Bride didn't like farming; they did. They...
Communication, Leadership
8 ways next-gen farmers can build respect
7 Tips to build credibility as the next generation of leaders Written for Farm Futures and originally published on 10/16/24 here. Sometimes, the next generation of family members or employees don't feel they can earn credibility with the old guard or senior generation. The following are some tips gleaned from some young ones in the younger generation who have broken through and earned credibility and respect. Transitioning a business from one generation to the next is not easy. One particularly difficult area is how to bring the next generation on board. The young next generation brings energy and...
Succession Planning, Uncategorized
Farm Dangers both physical and mental
Even Superman has his limits. Written for Farm Futures and originally published at xxx on xxx Farms are dangerous places, and most of us know of someone who was injured or killed in a farm accident. When accidents happen the farm community rallies around the family and provides support. Go to many farms today, and there you will see high-visibility clothing, training programs, and discussions on how to stay safe during pre-harvest employee meetings. Farming is dangerous, beyond equipment-related injuries and deaths. Farming kills and injures at the mental level as well, but we often don't want to acknowledge...
Communication
Why Don’t We Talk?
Communication paves the way for success and peace. Written for Farm Futures and originally published in the July/Aug 2024 issue. "I don't care if he doesn't understand everything about hogs or running a sow barn. I need someone who can communicate and understand people." "We don't really get along with each other. We quit talking years ago and just focus on work." Communication skills, or lack thereof, are common complaints I've heard over the years. One would think that with all our options, mail, email, instant messaging, texting, and Slack channels, we would all be master communicators. But...
Succession Planning
Transition Planning Traps
Four tips to avoid transition planning problems. Written for Progressive Dairy and originally published 5/30/2024 HERE. Sustainability applies not only to the environment but also to sustaining future generations of farmers. It's also important to keep in mind that succession or transition planning in a strong dairy market is easier than in a tough market. Not only is there more optimism for the future and more options for growth, but there is also more money to go around. Unfortunately, today, there isn't extra money in dairy. Sustainable family dairies are strong in three areas: family unity, family asset growth...
Succession Planning
The Five Steps You Need to Know to Create a Farm Legacy
Determining the roles people will play in the process is the first step. Written for Milk Business Quarterly and originally published 4/30/24 on dairyherd.com So, you've had the family meeting regarding transition planning and agree that you need to start the process. Now what? Every situation is unique. We've done transition planning for twenty years and have developed a process that is flexible enough to allow for the unique needs of each family. For anyone who has run a dairy, processes come naturally. Milking, feeding, and reproduction all have detailed processes. This framework is just another process, with steps and...
Succession Planning
Transition Planning – Where to begin on a short notice.
Sometimes, you don't have much time. What info do you absolutely need to get started? Written for Farm Futures and initially published in their March/April 2024 issue. Planning a transition plan over several years is not always possible. Sometimes a sudden event moves the transition planning from "someday" to an urgent "right now." How do you begin? Transition planning, even under the best of circumstances, is not easy. Throw in a sudden death or other family event, and the process is even more dire. Successful transition plans all have one thing in common. The family follows a process. While no...
Succession Planning
Where Perks Create Conflict
What to watch for so perks don't create unintended issues down the road. Written for MILK and originally published in the Feb 2024 Quarterly issue. The issue at hand, at least on the surface, was the fish house being built in the farm shop. For those in warmer climates, let me explain. Here in the upper Midwest, we can fish all year long. In the winter, it gets cold enough, and the ice thick enough to drive pickups on the ice and pull out fish houses. These look like small 8x12 ft. (some are longer than 18 feet!) enclosed trailers....
Business Growth Strategy, Succession Planning, Uncategorized
Keep the Peace: Farm business vs. farm life
As farms become larger, many families conclude that perks must be limited and keep business more separate from personal life. Written for Farm Futures and published in the February 2024 issue. Most families get along great and, on most days, enjoy working together. This can lead the family to believe they are in alignment on essential issues. But, often, there is enough differences between some fundamental principles that someday will cause friction. Alignment around these principles falls under an underused area of transition planning called family governance. They are critical in keeping the peace and creating a strong family farm. ...
Communication
For Better Feedback, Keep Quiet
Let Silence Do the Heavy Lifting Written for Farm Futures and originally published in the January 2024 issue. The harvest went well, and the work got done, but the owner could tell it was more stressful for everyone since they picked up more acres. There were too many balls in the air for the owner to juggle. He wanted some ideas from his key employees. He knew they shared the same frustrations and that, with their experience, they had good ideas on how to make the next season smoother. What he really wanted was for the employees to "step up" ...