{"id":1898,"date":"2016-03-15T14:00:02","date_gmt":"2016-03-15T20:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/?p=1898"},"modified":"2016-03-15T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2016-03-15T20:00:02","slug":"anyone-care-farm-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2016\/03\/15\/anyone-care-farm-like\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Anyone Care About the Farm Like I Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"![\"Does](\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Does-Anyone-Care-About-the-Farm-Like-I-Do-710x365.jpg\")
I\u2019ve just read David Specht\u2019s book \u201cThe Farm Whisperer\u2026Secrets to Preserving Families and Perpetuating Farms.\u201d It\u2019s a great, quick read of inspiring questions for farm families wanting to transition management and ownership to create a successful legacy. Specht and I met on the Internet\u2026I Googled him, then picked up the phone, then we exchanged books. Don\u2019t worry, we are both happily married. We both are passionate about families and farms having a great future.<\/p>\n
Specht has created an app called \u201cInspired Questions for Farmers\u201d and the one question that caught my attention was this one:<\/p>\n
Does anyone care about the farm as much as I do?<\/h2>\n
What is your answer?<\/em><\/p>\nDad<\/h3>\n
Founder with aching back, more wrinkles, and a deep sense of responsibility to make sure all the high priority tasks are completed on a timely basis. Dad, are you asking great questions to the successor that you are intentionally grooming? Did you seek out his or her perspective on what their priorities for the day were? What does \u201clack of caring\u201d actually look like to you? Is it the sloppy job done by cleaning out the bin, the barn, or the shop? Is it leaving early to go home to read bedtime stories to toddlers? Is it choosing to spend time with friends hitting a few targets after your team has already logged a 100 hour work week? Don\u2019t stew about the \u201clack of care scenarios\u201d in your head Dad. We cannot read you mind. You have to tell us what is frustrating you!<\/p>\n
If you are consumed by the work of the farm, dad, as you have few friends and no hobbies, then it may be time for a new perspective.<\/p>\n
Yes, the grass needs to be cut, but perfection is not everyone\u2019s standard, and maybe cutting the grass every 3 days is excessive, not just a message that you care lots about how the farm looks and others are busy doing other tasks.<\/p>\n
Mom<\/h3>\n
Because you care about the farm you are willing to do night checks during calving, bathe calves in warm water, and bottle-feed newborn livestock. You use your nurturing skills for your children and your farm animals. You show care in many ways, but you too are noticing that your energy levels are decreased significantly by 8 pm. You would really like to delegate some of your jobs to the next generation, but have a hard time asking for what you need. You don\u2019t want to appear weak or needy.<\/p>\n
Today, I am giving you permission to say these words:<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that we all should talk about what the farm priorities are for the next 3 months.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to have some help with my jobs, and share the load, as I am losing energy these days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sometimes feel that no one else on this farm team cares about the farm as much as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want us to sit down and discuss openly our needs, feelings and wants for the future vision of this amazing farm operation.\u00a0 I also want more time for fun and family. \u201c<\/p>\n
Successor<\/h3>\n
Do you care about the farm as much as your parents? What things are you currently doing that show the founders how much you appreciate the roles and responsibilities you fulfill on the farm? Do you communicate to your parents with compassion when they seem to be losing some of their resilience, especially during stressful times? When you suggest changes in roles or behavior in order to make things easier or to try a new project for growth are you met with collaborative communication and good decision making? What does really caring for the well-being and success of the farm look like to you in practical terms?<\/p>\n
Spouse<\/h3>\n
You have a voice, too. Are you able to voice your observations as the one with \u201cfresh eyes\u201d from your family of origin experiences? Do you feel respected for your role in providing off-farm income to the farm\u2019s cash flow and to your family\u2019s needs?\u00a0 Does caring for the farm for you come in the form of contributing labour to the farm when you can, but ultimately saving your energy and efforts for the off farm job\u00a0 and child care?<\/p>\n
[Tweet “Everyone cares about the #farm, just in different ways. Is your farm getting the love it needs?”]<\/p>\n
Everyone<\/h3>\n
Have a meeting with your flipchart and talk about what \u201ccaring for the farm means to you, and in practical terms, how is that acted out?<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Financial care.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Accounts are kept up to date, bills are paid, books are entered currently, and the financial analysis is shared with the farm team. Contingency plans are in place, and the team of advisors for tax, investments, and debt servicing are all on board with the farm\u2019s business plan, succession plan, and estate plan.<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Operational care.<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The equipment is well-maintained in a decently organized shop. People are keen to clean up their messes and put tools back where they belong. Everyone treats equipment well and observes safe handling habits. Landlord relations are great, and production plans are in place to help the next generation have some ownership. Buildings are well-maintained, and the yard looks well-kept.<\/p>\n