As I write this on Sept 7th, Labour Day, we are 25 percent done our harvest, being very thankful for a great crop. Like you, we are putting in long hours to reap the rewards, and hopefully, to dodge the frost, rain, winds, and assorted field threats. Over the summer, I’ve been listening to folks […]
6 Tips for Managing Brotherly Conflict on the Farm
“I can’t believe that we have farmed together for over 25 years and the fights between these two brothers just don’t stop!”, says the exasperated farm woman who has had enough with the brotherly conflict on the farm. There’s no time like the present to reflect on how you want things to be different at […]
Farm Transition Planning: 19 Ways to Change Your Mindset
Long harvest hours give you time to think about what is working on your farm and what needs to be tweaked. Our thoughts drive our actions. It’s time to check your mindset to consider how you can create more certainty for yourself as the owner, and the next generation who wants a piece of equity […]
11 Ways to Get More Time Off the Farm
It’s late August, harvest is in high gear, cattle need to be moved, 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. In your busy life as a farmer, you might […]
14 Tips for How to Prevent Divorce on Farms
Each year is a new year of possibilities. Though there may always be struggles, there are also opportunities to create a stronger marriage in 2020 and beyond. With that in mind, today I’m going to share 14 actionable tips for how to prevent divorce on the farm. The Threat of Divorce to the Farm Family […]
TransFARMation: Avoiding “Burnout” on the Farm
It is easy to burn out, especially in this COVID-19 world. In this episode of the Red River Farm Network Podcast, I encourage farmers and ranchers to consider the roles they have in life. “How are you practicing self-care? How well are you taking care of your marriage? How are you nurturing your family? For […]
When Farm Brothers Disagree: Advice for the Next Generation of Farm Managers
One of the bulls in the middle of the farmhouse that we need to chase after is the undiscussabull of “my brother would never agree to that.” These transition conversations are as fresh as a newly minted cow plop, and they stink, too. However, it is time we faced the issue of disagreement among farm […]
12 Ideas for Summer Fun on the Farm
Sitting close to the water, feeling the warm sunshine on my face, tracking the clouds: these are things that help me feel renewed by nature. Farmers are a lucky lot as they are in nature every day. It just depends on their mindset, whether they are being renewed or riled. Summer 2020 will breeze by […]
Dealing with Depression: Reflections from the Quiet Chair
Today I want to share with you my personal story of dealing with depression. As I reflect from the quiet chair, I encourage you to do the same. I hear the geese flying overhead on their way back to the wildlife sanctuary, just four miles west of our yard. I see birds perched on a […]
Developing the Right Mindset for a Successful Farm Transition
Late last year, I decided to stop listening to sad farm transition stories, proposing a new hashtag for Twitter: #healingstories4ag. Here is one example I read from a farm survey respondent. “Succession planning would be considerably less difficult if the long-term stability of the agricultural industry was more predictable. Given the current hurdles, long-term profitability […]
