Minnesotan farmer Paul Zimmerman extended a firm handshake and greeting on behalf of his daughter to Dr. David Kohl, a Professor Emeritus from Virgina Tech. Zimmerman’s daughter is a likely successor to their farm. She started her mentorship with Dr. Kohl’s insights in Mankato, MN years ago when she wrote notes as a high schooler […]
What Steps Are You Taking to Protect Your Farm Legacy?
The importance of keeping farm legacies alive is undeniable. Many farm families in Canada are reeling from the proposed tax changes, the biggest changes seen in 45 years. I just attended a webinar today on tax changes and their impact on farm families, so I encourage you to have a meeting soon with your accountant. […]
6 Tips for Emotional Agility During the Harvest Season
I love harvest time. The golden glow of waving wheat, the meals in the fields, and the joy of everyone on the farm team working hard to “get ‘er done!” 2017 is a stressful harvest for the folks suffering from drought, the after-effects of the 2016 delayed harvest, and a myriad of other issues. Regardless of […]
How to Help Dad Emotionally When It’s Time to Quit Farming
I recently posted about farm dads and the important role they play on the farm. After that, a reader asked me to write about the emotions of quitting farming for these important figures. Let’s take the approach of the farm culture attributes farm founders appreciate. What might it feel like when those qualities are present […]
10 Things Farm Moms Really Want
It would be fun for you to be a fly on the wall of my office when the calls from farm moms come in. They range in age from 33 to 93, and their heartfelt cries ring in my ears as I write this. Regardless of your age or stage as a farm mom, I […]
8 Positive Seeds of Succession to Plant
We won’t have carrots on our farm this summer because I procrastinated in weeding out the red root pigweed and a “helpful” friend hoed the row before I knew it. “Weeds are any plant that are not in the right place,” according to the certified seed grower that I live with. Procrastination is not only […]
11 Ways to be Self-Renewing on the Farm this Year
I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night instead of filing emails until midnight. I should know better since I need to get a really good sleep to stay on top of the daily demands of the farm. Vacuuming 4 shop vacs of water out of our water-logged basement this morning only reminded […]
Relaxation: Why It’s Important For You and the Farm
Give yourself permission to relax. If there were 25 hours in a day, how would you spend that extra hour? Would you cram in another hour of work or would you take time for yourself and relax? Before you answer, consider this: According to studies conducted on stress and its polar opposite, relaxation, those who […]
How to Celebrate Our Farming Fathers and Their Important Role on the Farm
This is a very celebratory time of the year. Fields are being planted, which gives us the opportunity to celebrate a new season and cycle of growth. Just a few weeks ago we celebrated and honored our farm mothers on Mother’s Day. And in just a few days (Sunday, June 18, 2017) we’ll be celebrating Father’s Day and paying […]
Making #Plant17 Successful by Getting Smart with Your Smart Phone
Spring planting 2017 (#plant17) is going to be interesting. That hashtag is “Greek” to the stubborn farmers who refuse to text. Don’t even think about teaching them how to tweet! Cell phones have been dubbed “smartphones,” but sometimes the way folks are addicted to them causes dumb problems. I’ve read 3 articles that suggest that […]
