Who learns more from a mentorship — the mentor or the mentee? The answer may surprise you. As Deb Stark, former deputy minister of agriculture for Ontario, explains, a good mentoring relationship has value for all parties involved, but success requires communication and commitment from those involved. In this episode of Mind Your Farm Business,… Read More
If you talk about big picture stuff at the very face-to-face kitchen table, your family is far more likely to successfully navigate the farm transition from one generation to the next. Dr. Tom Deans, author and intergenerational wealth expert, says that when business owners (looking at you, farmers!) visit the topic early and often with… Read More
In agriculture, when we talk about diversity we are usually talking about crop rotations, the cattle herd, or hybrid breeding. Diversity isn’t always a hot topic when we talk about the people working in this industry, but it can make a powerful difference. Dr. Jeneen Abrams is a soybean breeder at Purdue University and believes… Read More
Agriculture as a whole struggles with finding enough workers — from dairy barns, to grain fields, and, perhaps most acutely, in the fruit and vegetable sector. Automation and robotics can most easily solve repetitive tasks, but designing and developing automation for high-value, highly perishable product is also highly complex — and expensive. Part of the… Read More
As we see more autonomy and robots on the farm in the future, will that minimize or reduce the impact of the benefits of being a farm kid? Does it change it? There’s an element of the physical aspect of doing some of the work, which creates some of the long-term character, like picking rocks,… Read More
As we approach the ending of another winter, Mother Nature is not being kind. As some Ontario and Quebec farmers learned last week, wind-whipped snow loads can quickly become too much for even brand new construction. Reports of at least one dairy barn, a hog barn, and a drive shed collapsing in the last week has… Read More
In farming, genetics is critical to success in both growing crops and raising livestock. If you combine top flight genetics and the right environment you increase your rate of success dramatically. In a similar way, growing up on a farm can foster so many great traits and skills in kids that are expressed as adults…. Read More
If you were lucky enough to be at the sold out CropConnect conference this year, one keynote speaker was sure to leave you feeling refreshed and full of energy. If you weren’t able to attend, have no fear, as you’ll still be able to feel energized from CFL legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons as he shares… Read More
When we hear about business culture, people tend to think that it’s only important for large business and organizations, ones that employ hundreds or even thousands of people. But, when you dig into how a work culture impacts the work and the employees, it becomes apparent that this is simply not true. Whether your business… Read More
The Ag Women’s Network (AWN) is now accepting applications for its 2019 mentorship program. The program, which includes two new events this year, will match ten mentee and mentors together in an eight-month partnership starting in March. “Mentorship is widely recognized as one of the most important ways leaders develop professionally and personally. Participants told… Read More
Elaine Froese has been named the recipient of 4-H Canada’s first-ever distinguished alumni award. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and leadership of 4-H alumni across Canada, in the areas of community engagement and communications, science and technology, environment, and healthy living, or sustainable agriculture and food security. Froese is being recognized for her accomplishments in community… Read More
Through life you’ll have ups and downs. In my eyes, one thing is for certain — if you have a pet (a dog, preferably), the good days will always out-number the bad. Those “bad days” can be something as simple as not getting what you wanted to accomplish complete, or might be much more complex, like family… Read More
As we move in to a new year and new farm season, there are all kinds of things that need to be assessed, reassessed, and evaluated. If setting business goals for the year ahead is on your to-do list, you may want to consider joining a formal peer group. If the idea of sharing farm… Read More
Like Bachman Turner Overdrive says, you’re “Taking care of business and working overtime,” — but do you take time to care for you? In this episode of Mind Your Farm Business, Chip Eichelberger, renowned motivational speaker, explains the importance of taking care of yourself in order to succeed in your business. Reflecting back on an event where he spoke… Read More
There was a time when there were many opportunities to hone your skills as a community leader. School districts had boards, grain companies had advisory groups, and there were various committees that supported community activities. Today, there are not nearly the opportunities that were once there to learn leadership skills. Add to that the fact… Read More