Imagine how wonderful life would be on your farm if you did not have to guess what other folks on your farm team really want for their lives, and for the farm business? I had the great joy of speaking to 540 young Iowa Farmers last month. Many of them are stuck in getting equity in transition due to the US tax laws which incentivize holding on to land and assets until the death of the grandparents or parents. I suspect you have your own story of curiosity as to why you are not able to get what you really want (power and control of the management, equity to grow and service debt, new housing ..read more

In this thought-provoking episode of the Farm Family Harmony Podcast, What Does Money Mean to You? Elaine and financial psychologist Dr. Moira Somers dive into the complexities of wealth and legacy within affluent families. They explore the intricate web of personal narratives surrounding money, emphasizing its profound impact on family dynamics and future planning. Throughout their discussion, they stress the importance of financial responsibility, literacy, and effective communication in managing family wealth and resolving conflicts. Together, they provide practical insights and guidance f ..read more

Last month, in the U.S.,  heard Steven Bohr of Next Generation Ag Advocates encourage young farmers with tools for transition. The average price per acre in Iowa is $6810 and 34% of the land has owners over 75 years of age. Sixty percent of the land is owned by those 65 and older. Landowners are the oldest in history, there are all-time high land values, and the cash flow to acquire land is outside of long-term profitability according to Bohr. The next generation of producers according to Bohr looks like this in Iowa: 68% of farmers have no children who currently farm. 51% of farmers h ..read more

In this episode of the Farm Family Harmony Podcast, Elaine is joined by Lauren Lundt. Lauren shares her journey from Central Florida to Iowa, marrying into a multi-generational farming family. Facing unexpected challenges like the passing of her father-in-law, Lauren offers insights into building relationships with in-laws and finding her place in the farming community. Together, Lauren and Elaine discuss the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and embracing change. Lauren’s story highlights the need for understanding and flexibility as farm families navigate evolving dynamics ..read more

In this episode of the Farm Family Harmony podcast, Elaine is joined by her special guest and fellow coach, Crisol Gonzalez, calling in from her dairy farm in Mexico. As a bilingual coach working with Spanish-speaking families across North America, Crisol brings a unique perspective to the table. With her background in law, education, and family facilitation, Crisol is well-equipped to tackle the challenges faced by farm families. Elaine and Crisol dive deep into the intricacies of family meetings, focusing on how to build a conducive environment for fruitful discussions. They emphasize the i ..read more

Where is it written in the farm family rule book that “You don’t talk about money?” Recently on a coaching call a farm family admitted a huge “undiscussabull” in their family had caused great stress to their over 40-year-old son. This non-farming son did not have any clue about the profitability of the farm, what the parents needed to live on, or what the plan going forward was for income streams, labour, and the type of enterprise that would be making money. The parents had assumed he was just not interested in the farm at all. Wrong assumption. When your adult children are not coming forwa ..read more

In this episode of the Farm Family Harmony podcast, Elaine is joined by Emily Nichols, an engineer advocating for gender-inclusive language. They discuss the importance of language in agriculture, highlighting how small changes can create big shifts in inclusivity. Emily shares practical insights and disruptors to foster more inclusive conversations, aiming to amplify the voices of women in farming. Tune in for inspiring insights into creating a more inclusive future for farm families and beyond. “Words become habits and then habits become behavior”. Check out Emily Nichols TEDx talk, “What i ..read more

Being able to talk freely with your farm team and feel they understand what you need is a huge gift! Accept you can’t make other people change, but you can change how you respond and handle things. Talking is the work. Decide today that you are going to become more self-aware and self-controlled around the way you communicate with your farm team. I strongly believe that good communication is the foundation of successful farms. Talking and listening well is the ultimate risk management tool. Your communication toolbox: Accept that solving problems is up to you. Take responsibility for your l ..read more

In this episode of the Farm Family Harmony podcast, Elaine explores the art of perspective-taking and its crucial role in fostering positive communication and understanding within farm families undergoing transitions. With practical tips and real-life examples, Elaine dives into the power of active listening, curiosity-driven questioning, and reframing perspectives to navigate complex family dynamics and succession planning challenges. Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies for creating a harmonious farm culture rooted in empathy and mutual understanding. “Making the othe ..read more

Imagine this is the day you’re hopping out of bed with a new spring in your step as you anticipate the life-changing transaction taking place this afternoon. You, your spouse, and your folks are headed to the lawyer’s office to officially sign shareholder agreements. You’re excited to finally have some certainty for your future. How are your parents feeling? The ability to put yourself in the other person’s shoes is called “perspective taking”. This skill is a key proactive conflict resolution behaviour. It’s a place where you don’t make assumptions, you learn to ask deeper questions to seek ..read more