Discuss the Undiscussabull: Tools for Talking about Tough Issues in Farm Transfer

Conflict is a normal part of farm family business, especially with farm succession planning. Avoiding conflict keeps farm families stuck, unable to improve their business and family life. A Virginia Tech study of 400 farms found that those farm family businesses that could communicate were 21% more profitable. In this revealing presentation, Elaine gives you the tools and strategies you need to improve communication within your farm family.

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Who Wants the Farm... and When?: Farm Succession Planning Tools for Action

Farming dads need to transfer control and ownership (eventually) to younger farmers. If there is no successor, then what? If there is a keen successor…congratulations! What do young farmers want? They want the certainty of ownership and a plan with deadlines. They want the farm intact. What do older founding farmers want? To be useful and appreciated. Fairness. They want an income stream for their lifestyle needs. Discover ways to get certainty about everyone's future and income in this exciting and educational presentation.

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Planning for Change: The Cycle of Renewal

You love farming and you never plan to really quit. Your spouse has other ideas. You are both in different stages of the cycle of renewal, but don’t know it. Your adult children want you to move to town. What are you going to do? Nothing? That doesn’t feel very good! Elaine shows you how to plan for change, let go and take on new plans.

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Living an Intentional Life: Balance in a Complex World

Folks are tired and overloaded. They think self-care is selfish. Too many roles and too little time. Where did the fun go? Elaine is an active farm partner with off-farm demands, just like you. She’s experienced a serious health issue which makes her passionate and practical about being intentional, not “busy” and she shares her story and strategies for living a balanced life.

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