{"id":341,"date":"2012-12-04T02:08:50","date_gmt":"2012-12-04T02:08:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/blog\/?p=341"},"modified":"2012-12-04T02:08:50","modified_gmt":"2012-12-04T02:08:50","slug":"get-ready-to-be-a-great-farmer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2012\/12\/04\/get-ready-to-be-a-great-farmer\/","title":{"rendered":"GET READY TO BE A GREAT FARMER"},"content":{"rendered":"

Will the farm be profitable for the next 30 years?<\/em><\/p>\n

The outstanding young farmers that I meet in my travels provide great stories and hope for agriculture\u2019s future.\u00a0 This month I\u2019ll be meeting with a group of young dairy farmers in the Okanagan as a followup to a meeting with their parents last winter.<\/p>\n

Both generations on the farm are typically very hard working.\u00a0 I get lots of insights on what other young farmers might be thinking when I listen to the young farmer, our son, at our kitchen table.<\/p>\n

Last night we were chatting about \u201csub-soiling\u201d because the excess water on the Prairies has been tough for many folks who didn\u2019t get a crop in, can\u2019t get the crop out and are having severe cash flow crunches.<\/p>\n

I think Morris Dorosh in his \u201cIf you ask me\u201d column in Agriweek<\/em> <\/span>on September 20 really nailed this year when he said, \u201cIt takes nerves of tool steel to get through an experience like this without long-lasting effects.\u00a0 The strain on families and personal relationships is extreme, a test of character that most people never have to pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Character counts.<\/p>\n

The Outstanding Young Farmer Awards announcements are glowing reports of young couples who possess strong character.\u00a0 They have \u201cgotten ready\u201d to do well in their chosen field.<\/p>\n

In coaching terms this means they have looked at what skills they need to learn, experimented and done some networking.\u00a0 Their character usually reflects confidence, the ability to take risk, great communication skills, creativity and the ability to explore new skill sets and ways of thinking.<\/p>\n

Are you confident that you can manage a profitable farm for the next 30 years?<\/p>\n

After the roller-coaster ride of 2010 weather issues can you manage risk?<\/p>\n

How are your communication skills on your farm team at those regular farm business meetings you need to be having?<\/p>\n

What new skill sets do you need to develop over the winter to take on the new challenges of 2011?<\/p>\n

How much time have you spent \u201cjust thinking\u201d about what you want the farm business to look like after the stresses of this year?\u00a0 Is it time for a new vision?<\/p>\n

You might have to take off those negative filters, and ask for help with a strong team of financial advisers.<\/p>\n

Our son is learning about \u201csub-soiling\u201d at university where he is passionate about the amazing network of other crop managers that he interacts with.\u00a0 The award-winning young farmers tell me that one of the highlights as an \u201cOutstanding Young Farmer\u201d award is the fact that they get to return yearly for alumni events.\u00a0 The networking continues to flow ideas and plans for change back to their profitable operations.<\/p>\n

Part of the \u201cGetting ready to be a great farmer\u201d also involves trying on new roles as possibilities, and not moving into long-term decisions.\u00a0 Many young farmers are ready to take over the management reins before senior management (read Dad) is ready to let go.\u00a0 Some of the new roles to test out might be working for a different style of leader away from the main business, or doing joint ventures with non-family members.<\/p>\n

After a few harvests, young farmers with passion and vision want more certainty.\u00a0 They want signed operating and partnership agreements, which move them to shareholder agreements and some terms of ownership.\u00a0 Great farmers understand the value of turning the \u201csweat equity\u201d of the younger generation into shares of the company.\u00a0 Great farmers value the wealth that is captured and protected with the energy of youth.<\/p>\n

Once the \u201cgetting ready\u201d phase has lit the passions for growth in agriculture, young farmers are \u201cready to go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a list of what young farmers have told me they want:<\/p>\n