Blog

I celebrate Thanksgiving a little early each year. My personal day of Thanksgiving is October 17th. That may seem odd, but 30 years ago it was the day that changed my life forever. The day started out with lots of anticipation because it was the first day of pheasant hunting and it was my first time hunting. What thirteen-year-old wouldn’t feel the excitement and joy of hunting with friends on one of those perfect fall days? The sky was clear blue with those high wispy clouds. How can I remember the clouds 30 years later? That’s what I saw when...

It’s the last game of the World Series and the bases are loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Your team is down by one. Assume you’ve never played a game of baseball. No Little League, no high school or collegiate play. It’s your turn at bat. What are the odds you will drive in the winning run? The scenario above is ridiculous. Yet, similar scenarios play out each day on farms and businesses across the USA and Canada. As you are well aware, there is always plenty to do on a farm and most days involve rushing from one...

If the core values of the farm are not reaffirmed and strengthened with each generation, the odds of family farm conflict increase. To read the full post click here. Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.

Crucial Conversations can only happen when strong emotions are under control. To read the full post click here.  Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.  

Emotional issues can ruin a good business plan on your farm. To read the post please click here. Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.  

Your farm may only be able to grow as fast as your ability to lead. To read the post please click here. Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.

More than ever boundaries or fences are crucial to efficiently manage your farm with minimal conflict. To read the post please click here.  Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.

  Once a family feels entitled to a certain lifestyle, status and trappings of wealth, the family farm - their source of wealth is in danger.   To read the post please click here.  Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.

Farm families often grow at a faster rate than farm income, acres, or livestock. To read the post please click here.  Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.

Without a vision as a guide, problems and conflicts can derail your farm and farm transition. To read the post please click here.  Tim Schaefer is a regular contributor to Farm Futures writing on the topics of transition planning, leadership development, peer groups, and management.