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 […]
Moving off the Farm: 5 Things for Farm Founders to Consider
A distraught middle-aged farm woman asks for advice on buying her daughter a farmhouse just down the road. This is a loaded question. When farm founders are considering how long they want to stay on the main farmyard, there can be lots of conflict and frustration. I suspect the mom’s plan was to have a […]
Farming Priorities: Top Concerns for Each Decade of Life on the Farm
A functional medical doctor I heard on a podcast one day said, “Don’t let age be your cage” when addressing folks who complain about the aches and pains of aging. Society says that we ought to “retire” at 65, that 50 is the new 40…and on it goes. As a farm coach, I actually would […]
Reinventing Your Life After Farm Retirement
A weather-worn farmer has recently transferred a major part of the farm business to his millennial successor. He asks his spouse, “What are we going to do for the next 20 years?” She reflects with a hint of surprise in her voice, “What do you really want?” The truth about reinventing your life after farm […]
9 Steps To Getting More Family Harmony on the Farm
When there’s tension in a farm family, it can mean a much bigger impact than just hurt feelings. With that in mind, today we’re going to discuss some of my favorite tips for creating family harmony on the farm. The coaching theme lately has been older brothers and young brothers (a good bit younger) trying […]
Marriage on the Farm: 10 Tips to Keep the Sparks Alive
Let your father know how much he means to you with a unique Father’s Day gift. Order a copy of Elaine’s book Building Your Farm Legacy or get the audio version here. As the co-author of Farming’s In-Law Factor, I spent a year of Tuesdays researching, interviewing, and asking tough questions about marriage on the farm. […]
