This article was initially published on April 26, 2016, and has been updated. I want farm couples to be happier in their relationships; as love partners and as farm partners. Sometimes I ask the hard questions that irk people. But they know they need to deal with making their marriage stronger. “Elaine is a marriage […]
Farm Mom: The Important Lessons She Has Taught You
I am looking at my bare garden, waiting for the soil to warm up. The guys are busy in the fields, we’ve been seeding since April 26th. We are celebrating having our family close this weekend. I wish my farm Mom was still alive, she passed away in 1998 at age 65, but I think […]
The 5 Ways of Dealing With Conflict on the Farm
This article is an excerpt from Elaine’s book Farming’s In-Law Factor. What comes to mind when you hear the word “conflict”? Is it negative or is it positive? If you’re like most people, you’re thinking, “Of course it’s negative! How could conflict be a good thing?” Yes, as crazy as it sounds, conflict can be […]
Embrace Love and Let Go of Loneliness
February is typically a month of love. Couples being happy and embracing the love between them. But what do you do if loneliness is on your farm? Did you spend February lonely or embraced in love. Her sniffles were clear on the phone line, she said “He used to spend so much time with me […]
Transitioning with Harmony: How to Stop Parents Fighting
Where is it written that your parents have to go south for the winter together? Many aging farmers like to visit the sun belt at this time of year to get rest, connect with friends and have some well-deserved fun. But what if one of your parents prefers to stay home? When both spouses cannot […]
What Really Matters After 40 Years
The clouds at 30,000 feet are keeping me company as I write and reflect. My ears hear Celtic tunes of praise while I contemplate the lessons of the last 4 decades. November 10, 1978, marked the first day of my move to Boissevain to serve farm families with Manitoba Agriculture as an extension home economist. […]
Spoiled Farm Children and Farm Succession: How to Stop the Temper Tantrums
As founders we all want our children to be happy and successful, but when kids have aged into adults we hope they are grateful for the opportunity and don’t take advantage of our generosity. When kids have always received something, whether it is money, assets or help, they can come to expect it. A sense […]
8 Essential Steps for Firing a Farm Child off the Farm
As a farm family coach, I hear the struggles of farmers who are used to being able to quickly repair or fix problems that arise daily. When these hard-working, well-intentioned folks have a farming adult child who is not a good fit for the farm, great stress lingers far too long – the stress of […]
Shirtsleeves to Shirtsleeves in Three Generations or Fleeing Heirs: The Financial Future of Your Farm
Last month we talked about the transfer of wealth on the farm and the tension that goes with it. Well, there is more. Financial planner Anthony Williams describes a study by Investment News suggesting that 66% of children ultimately fire their parent’s financial advisor once they receive their inheritance. These folks are called fleeing heirs. […]
Giving Gifts of Farm Assets With a Warm Hand
It was a great delight to hear Dr. Meir Statman speak to certified financial planners in Halifax at their annual convention in June. He was talking about normal financial behaviours and why culture matters in how we transition our money to the next generation. I clapped when I heard him say “I believe it is […]
