We often hear that farming is a risky game, due to a massive amount of variables. When you have risk, you need to do what you can to make sure that you’re limiting the potential downside. It’s not realistic to make a farm business risk-neutral, but we can limit the exposure to losses through risk… Read More
Category: Mind Your Farm Business
Many times on the Mind Your Farm Business podcast we focus on one issue or topic, as if challenges run independent of each other. On this episode, host Shaun Haney throws that all out the window, and attempts to cover a cloud of issues in farm management. There are many issues impacting the farmers and… Read More
Agriculture has long struggled to attract and retain enough people at nearly every stage of the industry; from general labour, to skilled operators, to farm management, and in the c-suite. In certain geographies, local job markets have made things even more difficult, as higher paying jobs pulled people away from the farm. But now, just… Read More
Those in agriculture have been encouraged to “tell their story” for years, all in the name of maintaining the social license to operate, or to gain acceptance and understanding of farm practices by the public. But there’s another reason for farmers and agri-business owners to tell a good story: to attract and retain great staff… Read More
If you are a farmer or farm business owner, succession planning is a critical process that you cannot afford to overlook. Succession planning involves transferring ownership and management of your farm business to the next generation, and it is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of your business and your family’s financial future. In this… Read More
Many entrepreneurs struggle with finding the right people to join their team. Right now, the employment market is also very tight as supply is low, and competitiveness for workers is so strong. So much attention is paid to the recruitment of new employees, but how often do we actually focus on the onboarding process? Research… Read More
There are many parallels between coaching and team sports and running an effective work force. Leveraging skill sets, managing personality conflicts, goal setting, and teamwork are just as relevant during the seeding season or harvest as they are on the pitch or playing field. For this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host… Read More
There’s a saying that goes hire slow and fire fast. But does that old adage hold true? Amber Johnson, CEO and owner of Forge Performance Group, based in Alberta, says that there isn’t a simple answer to that; if you’ve done the right preparation work ahead of time, asked key questions, and offered a comprehensive… Read More
What’s your big, scary dream? The one you really feel you want to achieve? If you’re stuck on how to reach it, former U.S. member of congress Ric Keller says you have to do two things: write it down and then read it day and night. Keller has written a book on goal setting and… Read More
Strong culture and core values are the foundation of a well-functioning team. This applies to business, sports, and, yes, families. When business meets family, as often is the experience for farmers, family members need to work together to define the core values of their operation. In this episode of The Mind Your Farm Business podcast,… Read More
You can’t grow the farm out of a problem. If growth of the farm is in the plan — whether driven by outside influences or an internal dream, such as bringing more people in to the farm structure — it pays to take a hard look inward and backward first, before forging ahead. Michael Langemeier… Read More
One of the biggest rewards of working in a family business is the opportunity to work every day with multiple generations. This can provide mentorship, learning, and truly rewarding memories and experiences, but it can also present real challenges. Generational differences are real but also sometimes misunderstood, as stereotypes skew perceptions and behaviours. For this… Read More
If the farm is waiting for the tax filing to sort out profit and loss, decisions are being made for close to a year, and maybe more, without a full financial picture. Budgeting may be up there on the favourites list with a root canal or unclogging toilets; it’s rare that someone really loves developing… Read More
Peer to peer learning is incredibly useful in any business, and agriculture is no different. Put simply, peer groups allow for the collective sharing of great ideas. Perhaps just as valuable, they also allow for the collective learning of hard lessons, so that peers within a group don’t have to make the same mistakes. Evan… Read More
The work culture of a farm is much like its reputation — whether it’s intentional or not, it still exists. What makes a work culture? It’s not just people, it’s the behaviour of the people and how well they live out a business’s core values that create a work culture. People’s behaviour is shaped by… Read More