Opinion
It’s a change many will confront but few will talk about — leaving the farm. Walking away from the farm is so much more than leaving home. It’s leaving a lifestyle, a community, an irrevocable bond with the land, and the animals. For some, it’s just the next step on a long journey, for others, it’s absolutely heart-wrenching.
Susan Blair went through the start of incredible changes when she sought off-farm income in 1990, just seven years after purchasing her own land. It was a change initiated by world trade wars, high interest rates and drought.
Today, Blair is the executive director of animal health at Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. She was also a speaker at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference in Calgary, Alberta, where we caught up with her to talk about those incredible changes, and where she’s at now.
In this interview, Blair talks about managing the culture shock of going from farming to corporate life, preventing burnout and provides advice for those considering a career change.
Tweets from Blair’s presentation at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference
“Excellence not perfection. Perfection is usually an opinion.” Susan Blair. Aha moment for this perfectionist! #AWCwest2015 — Claudine Oliver, CPA (@SharpesFinance) April 7, 2015
#AWCwest2015 Susan Blair Q&A: “Seek out #mentors rather than waiting for them to come to you.” #leadership pic.twitter.com/khn2fNx8qt
— Advancing Women (@advancing_women) April 7, 2015
“Build credibility- be prepared, be fluent and be clear in communicating” Susan Blair @advancing_women #AWCwest2015 — April Nichol (@AprilNichol1) April 7, 2015
Audio tape yourself going through pros and cons of decisions. It will help you understand. Susan Blair #AWCwest2015
— Janice Tranberg (@JaniceTranberg) April 7, 2015
Approaching life long learning – Susan Blair #AWCwest2015 pic.twitter.com/AaQBEu02b8 — Ashley Fox (@BCS_AFOX) April 7, 2015
We each have a journey. There is no journey more important than another! (Susan Blair) #AWCwest2015
— Shariefa SayedAhmed (@shariefala) April 7, 2015
Susan’s critical success factors #AWCwest2015 @advancing_women pic.twitter.com/B89bgUOLOC — Canadian Angus (@cdnangus) April 7, 2015
#AWCwest2015 Susan Blair on meeting rejection. Her sister’s advice? That’s life. Have a nap, you’ll feel better! pic.twitter.com/p923rQqx9B — Advancing Women (@advancing_women) April 7, 2015
Focus on excellence not perfection. Perfection is an opinion. Susan Blair #AWCwest2015 — Ellen Pruden (@Ellencanola) April 7, 2015
When people are heard, valued and validated, it moves mountains. – Susan Blair #AWCwest2015
— Tracy Herbert (@HerbertLTracy) April 7, 2015
More Tweets from the presentation
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