In February, at the Boissevain Post Office sorting table, there were a record 5 white funeral notices on display. I am happy to report that the majority were an invitation to the funeral. Why does this matter? There is a trend in 2018 that has likely been building for some time as families avoid conflict […]
The Father Factor in Farming
“Your father’s particular parenting style is the template that forms the father factor in your career. If your father has died, that doesn’t mean that the feelings from the relationship are dead.” -Dr. Stephan B. Poulter, author of The Father Factor: How Your Father’s Legacy Impacts Your Career. Poulter believes that we learn from our […]
Having the Safety Talk on Your Farm
Like many of you, I’ve checked out the grain bin suffocation demonstration at the farm shows and collected many farm safety brochures. I think this spring is finally the time when we’ll do things more intentionally on our farm, including have the safety talk. Why now? We experienced family trauma in October during harvest when […]
2 X 2 Couples Retreat: 10 Reasons To Do It
Many farm families are concerned about the health of their marriages and partnerships. My speaker friend Dan Ohler is our guest this week to encourage you to think about doing a private marriage retreat or couples retreat. With all the stresses and strains on ag families, there is hope. Consider ways to cherish each other […]
How to Write a Will Joyfully
Today I have encountered 3 acquaintances who are all dealing with different kinds of loss. A husband whose wife is suffering from a stroke. A woman whose nephew is suffering from a mental illness. Someone who has just buried her mother a few short weeks ago and is thankful that she got to celebrate her […]
Conflict Resolution Between Farming Siblings (Especially Brothers)
Siblings farming together can make for many different, interesting, and somewhat challenging dynamics, especially if one of them is a brother. Here are some of the most common issues that can arise with farming brothers and how founding farmers and siblings can handle them. 11 Common Issues Amongst Farming Siblings 1. Oldest Brother Syndrome Birth […]
Love Does Not Read Minds: Being Fair in Farm Transition
An amazing group of Alberta farmers shared their deepest fears about farm transition with me at the 2018 Agriculture Service Board Conference. They texted me their biggest issues regarding fairness in transition planning. The Biggest Issues Regarding Fairness in Transition Planning I thought you might like to see what resonates with you in this list […]
Why Founding Farmers are Hanging On and How to Help Them Let Go
At 61, my life expectancy is 86. The math says I have a quarter of a century left to create a legacy, help others transition, and mentor the next generation. I am also now a grandmother who delights in reading Penny Grace stories, rocking her to sleep, and sharing her giggles. Life is precious. Recently […]
Ways to Increase the Cherish Factor With the One You Love
My husband of 36 years just dropped me off at the Minot airport in his pickup. We enjoyed the two-hour ride together listening to inspirational tunes and laughing when we had to stop to help herd stray Angus back to their farm. As farm kids, we both chased lots of cows and it reminded us […]
How to Tell Non-Farming Children They Aren’t Getting a RAW Deal
Our 33-year-old daughter was lamenting the fact that there is no longer a Sears Christmas Wishbook. Decades ago she delighted in flipping pages of the colored catalog seeking out requests for her wish list, hoping that the cherished gifts would be under our Christmas tree. I remember the not so happy Christmas when some of […]
