In this episode, my guest is Cheryl Mitchell, founder of Farm Legacy Now and a longtime advocate for communication, leadership, and education in agriculture. Cheryl brings deep experience helping farm families navigate generational dynamics and make sound decisions during farm succession planning.
We discuss how young farmers and ranchers can design better decisions during the early stages of their careers, especially when navigating the emotional terrain of multigenerational farm transition planning. Cheryl and I explore how generational identities, from the Silent Generation to Gen Z, shape values, expectations, and communication styles on the farm.
You’ll learn why listening well, asking thoughtful questions, and building trust across generations are critical to keeping the farm legacy alive. Cheryl also shares stories that highlight the often unspoken fears that can hold families back from making progress and how to approach tough conversations with more clarity and compassion.
“Questioning is everything. Young folks aren’t taught those skills anymore, so I encourage them to get a coach or find someone to help guide them with the right language and questions. It’s about coming with curiosity and respect, opening the space so others feel heard and understood. That’s how you connect the dots and uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.” -Cheryl Mitchell
Mentioned During This Episode
Books:
Articles:
Podcasts:
Elaine Froese Resources & Links
- SPEAKING – book Elaine for your next event
- COACHING – find your Farm Transition Coach
- MEMBERSHIP – Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist
- RESOURCES – download for FREE
- CONTACT – take the next steps in your transition
- BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches
About Our Guest
Cheryl Mitchell is a dairy farmer’s daughter from Jasper County, Illinois, with agriculture deeply woven into her identity. Over the past 35 years, she has built a diverse career spanning education, agriculture, corporate America, non-profits, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology.
Throughout her journey, Cheryl has been driven by a passion for legacy – helping families identify, preserve, and protect what matters most to them. Beyond her extensive experience in leadership development, training, and public speaking, Cheryl brings a unique strength from countless kitchen table conversations where she listens with curiosity to understand family values, challenges, and goals. Her work is rooted in guiding families with heart through the twists and turns of farm succession and transition planning.
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Timestamps
[00:00:00] – Introduction
[00:07:05] – Discussion of generational differences
[00:09:04] – Identity challenges for older farmers and how younger generations view work differently
[00:14:06] – Strategies for younger farmers to approach and communicate with older generations
[00:19:43] – Importance of focusing on legacy and emotional connection
[00:20:56] – Definition of legacy as an “invisible thread” connecting past, present, and future
[00:27:00] – Changing decision-making approaches in agriculture
[00:30:28] – Best places and methods for having meaningful conversations
[00:33:13] – Communication techniques like one-word check-ins
[00:35:22] – Importance of involving younger generations in professional meetings early on
[00:38:29] – Addressing concerns of family members, especially women, in farm succession planning
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