What does it really mean to “scale” a farm business? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by Evan Shout, president of Maverick Ag and co-founder of Farmer Coach, to explore the many shapes growth can take and discuss why more land isn’t always the answer.
From managing tight margins to preserving family time, Shout shares his on-the-ground insights from coaching farms across North America. Whether you're evaluating an equipment upgrade, considering new enterprises, or wrestling with the guilt of stepping away during seeding, this episode brings practical, real-world advice on how to grow smarter and not just bigger.
Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
- Evan Shout, Maverick Ag — On redefining farm growth and why emotional decisions can derail long-term success
- Key financial guardrails — Understanding ownership capacity, equity, and where leverage fits into strategic scaling
- Human capital hurdles — Why hiring, leadership, and operational structure matter more as farms expand
- Diversification tactics — From car washes to coaching firms, how off-farm income reduces risk and adds cash flow
- Return-on-equity thinking — Making ROI-driven land decisions—even if it means walking away from short-term rental gains
- Technology and decision-making — How dashboards and AI offer better visibility and more time for strategy
Don’t miss: Evan’s take on the “key man” risk, and why building a business that can run without you is critical for longevity.
Find more Mind Your Farm Business podcasts here
Disclaimer: Royal Bank of Canada and its subsidiaries are not responsible for the information provided in this podcast, and this information does not necessarily reflect the views of Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its subsidiaries.
