Hope you are enjoying the longer days and warm sunshine on your farm. I also hope that panic is not rising as you anticipate getting ready for spring…whatever that means! I know a farmer that has April 20 as his magic target day for having all the equipment ready to go for seeding. As I […]
Creating a sense of urgency is a good thing
“Elaine, we started talking about this in 2014, and man, that was seven years ago,” quips the overwhelmed founder of a 5th generation farm. We need to get this done before seeding.” Where is it written that you cannot have conversations from the tractor while you are on auto-steer? Procrastination is killing agriculture. You didn’t […]
“Shut down” Insights to get folks to the transition table to talk
The winter is cruising by and you are wondering if you are ever going to get a communication breakthrough to figure out “the Plan” for the future of your family and your farm. You might be the aging founder, the frustrated successor, or the curious non-farm sibling. Whatever role you play, this scenario is impacting […]
Intentional Wealth…books to spark money conversations
I’ve pulled a few books off my library shelves to encourage you this month during the Great Pause to start having more open money conversations. Find an audiobook or borrow these great titles: Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze. As a result of reading this book, I’m giving my four-year-old […]
Letting go of the Anger of Failed Succession Plans
I can’t imagine what it feels like to think you are getting married and then find out at the rehearsal that the wedding is called off. Who do you go to ask for help to process that hurt, disappointment, and embarrassment? There seems to be a parallel type of anger that follows a failed […]
Valentine Validation of Farm Women and Beyond
One of the side effects of being home-bound during the “Great Pause” is that I’ve become very fond of the predictable story arc of Hallmark movies. We have a bit of a game to see if the first kiss is within the last 15 minutes of the show. Farm marriages don’t need to get lost […]
Hiding Behind Your Advisors
I just heard an estate planning lawyer, Chris Delaney mention that he is seeing farmers “sheltering in the tactics” rather than embracing what I call the “emotional factors affecting planning.” Delaney is the author of “The Naked Opus”, a novel approach to estate planning. It’s a very good read. Please understand, the foundation for great […]
How to pitch pride to get transition traction!
In 2003, Tom Hubler, a family business coach, told me “Pride and stubbornness” are barriers to a successful transition. This winter Beth Moore’s teaching has encouraged me to explore the aspects of pride that impact family harmony. Let’s dissect this touchy topic. Heart. I am convinced the emotional factors affecting planning are keeping well-meaning families […]
When Silent Nights Don’t Bring Peace To Your Farm
When I was a very small farm girl, dressed in my homemade red velvet jumper, I looked forward to “Edie” Christmas on Boxing Day with my cousins. I recall my great-grandmother singing “Silent Night” to us in German. Little did I know then that I would marry into a family whose first language was German. […]
Trading overwhelm for mental rest…When you can’t go south for the winter
Harvest on our farm finished October 7th which is a whole lot better than December 18th of 2019 for last year’s harvest. I can only imagine what you might be feeling as you read this, sitting down for a break wondering when the mental chatter in your brain is going to calm down. I’m a […]
