{"id":9676,"date":"2024-06-20T18:00:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T22:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/?p=9676"},"modified":"2024-06-21T07:05:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T11:05:11","slug":"using-common-ground-to-write-agreements-you-can-understand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2024\/06\/20\/using-common-ground-to-write-agreements-you-can-understand\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Common Ground to Write Agreements You can Understand."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||1px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KtWv4TXecKs?si=CzidYbMd8fk4sN5B\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">I hope you are reading this on your phone while waiting in the field, which means you are in the field and plant 2024 conditions are perfect to go. The type of common ground I am referring to is not your soil, it\u2019s the things everyone on your farm team is committed to working toward. As mediators in conflict resolution, we are trained to seek the items that everyone in the room feels is important, their common interests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Working with farm family dynamics is a bit of an adventure when you are seeking to uncover what each person on the farm team really wants for their personal life, the farm business, and their life beyond the farm gate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Let\u2019s play with some points of common interest which would be helpful to better behaviour and culture on your farm.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Family harmony.<\/b> Most folks asking for coaching have a strong desire for everyone in the family to get along. What does that mean in practice? People are respectful, they don\u2019t make assumptions and there is a regular formalized format for family business discussions to focus and execute all the roles involved.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The written agreement helpful here would be a \u201c<b>family code of conduct<\/b>\u201d .<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In this family we show up on time, we respect each other, we are honest, and we have high emotional intelligence where we express our emotions in healthy ways to resolve conflict.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\">Be straight up with people<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Take time to listen to people<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Stick to reality<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Seek mutual resolution to conflicts<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Seek honesty<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Do what we\/you say we\/you will do<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Do not be late<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Learn from mistakes<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Anticipate the future<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Have fun; have a mix of rest and recreation<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Embrace technology<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Surround yourself and business with competent people<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\">Family won\u2019t stop loving each other because of the business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Profitability and excellent compensation for our work.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b> Does your farm serve the family or does the family serve the farm business? The goal is to have a profitable farm, but if your interest is just to have a nice lifestyle, ride your horses, and sort a few cows, then you are likely not in the same lane as the next generation who wants to make a decent living with a return on their labour and have the best ability to service debt for growth. If these terms are not familiar to your way of doing farm business, you are likely not ready to \u201cprofessionalize\u201d the farm as Dick Wittman says. One helpful agreement would be an <b>operating agreement<\/b> as to how much income or revenue is directed to the founders, and what percentage is going to the successor(s). For instance, when we first started farming with my husband\u2019s parents we had a 40% income stream from the farm revenue and the parents got 60%, then it changed to 50\/50 until the time of ownership transfer when it became 100% ours and 0 % revenue for the parents.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Creating a clear timeline for the shift of ownership<\/b>. Many young farmers are struggling with the \u201cpain of not-knowing\u201d. Their keen interest is to start buying some equity that they can leverage to grow more. Parents are afraid of losing wealth and may have a desire to pass things along in their estate. This lack of financial transparency and unwillingness to talk about the fear of failure of the next generation managing is keeping many farms stuck.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The phrase \u201cby when?\u201d would you be willing to sell me some of the equipment or livestock is a starting point. Many farmers would love to buy more land which is common ground (pardon the pun) for many, yet it is becoming very hard to do this with high land values. Where are young farmers going to get help to buy assets? <b>Buy sell agreements<\/b> are ways to figure out timelines for the transfer of assets. They are a legal contract which facilities the purchase or sale of shares and it operates before a will. Buy\/sell agreements clarify everyone\u2019s intention (and interests) in the event of a business-altering event.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Inter-spousal agreements<\/b> are now recommended by lawyers to be drawn up by the successors, and the founding couples. Some may term these agreements as pre-nuptials, marriage contracts, or co-habitation agreements. Seek good independence advice. The common interest here is for family harmony, and a marriage\/partnership that can navigate the storms of life and not bring down the farm if the couple separates. Shifting your mindset from \u201cI would never do that\u201d to \u201csounds like a good risk management tool\u201d could be the difference for your business being able to survive marriage breakdown. Keep in mind older farm couples get divorced after 32 years of marriage, this is not just an exercise for newlyweds !<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">\u201cHandshakes are still good around here Elaine !\u201d says the aging farmer with two successors wanting to access more rented land. I wish we would trust the handshake to be our bond, but the reality of the shifting culture of agriculture begs folks to secure tenancy with well written <b>land lease agreements<\/b>. You may have a great time dealing with your bachelor neighbour until his distant relatives show up after his death demanding the top bidder to access the land you have rented for decades. If you need help for a good lease agreement, ask your lender for a template to get started. Use your lawyer to be sure you have your interests protected, such as the right of first refusal.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Health care directives<\/b> are agreements on how you want to be cared for in the event of needing hospital care. I admit this one is still on my to-do list, but my Power of Attorney is up to date. Speak to your lawyer about an enduring Power of Attorney, and be sure you choose a person who has a great track record of mental wellness. Many couples choose each other, but for farm families I would suggest an alternate as well. Our son was called upon as POA when my husband was recovering with me by his side for 10 days in trauma care after a truck accident.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"p5\">Farmers tend to deal with fixing what is in front of them, and not focused on the \u201cwhat if\u201d scenarios of life on the farm. I wonder if there is a reward or treat you can whip up to motivate all your farm team to get written agreements in order sooner than later? Please use a great ag-informed lawyer for your agreements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #662d91;\">***<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Elaine Froese and her team of coaches facilitate action!\u00a0 Visit her <a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/contact\/\">website<\/a> to book a free discovery call. We can talk to you on your tractor !<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #662d91;\">Did you enjoy <\/span><span style=\"color: #662d91;\"><strong>Using Common Ground to Write Agreements You can Understand? <\/strong>You might want to check these articles out too:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2024\/06\/06\/who-is-responsible-for-what-on-your-farm\/\">Who is Responsible for What on Your Farm?<\/a><strong><br \/><\/strong><span style=\"color: #662d91;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2024\/05\/23\/how-to-have-the-conversation-about-prenups\/\">How to Have the Conversation About Prenups<em>?<\/em><\/a><br \/><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2024\/05\/09\/farm-parents-what-do-you-really-want-in-your-next-chapter-of-life\/\">Farm Parents, What Do You Really Want in Your Next Chapter of Life?<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Key-Challenges-Audit-Sheet.jpg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Key Challenges Audit Sheet&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Elaine-Froese-Key-Challenges-Audit-Sheet.pdf&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Image&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn all the details about all the different types of agreements necessary to fortify your farm team against an erosion of harmony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o4K6bItAbCY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>\r\n\r\nHarvest is in full swing on our farm, and I am not there\u2026for a few days. Where is it written you cannot leave the farm during harvest? (Almost on every page of the unpublished book \u201cThe Culture of Agriculture.\u201d)\r\n\r\nIf you are one of the 2800 folks who have stumbled upon \u201cFinding Fairness in Farm Transition\u201d on my YouTube channel at Farm Family Coach, you already know I am on a mission to change mindsets in agriculture. Fairness is helping everyone in the family be successful.\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Enter Scott Armstrong and his new workbook: <i>Mind Switch Retirement Planner<\/i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6952 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Untitled-design-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" \/>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Armstrong is a speaker friend who shared his insights at a national financial planner September convention in Niagara Falls, the place I also journeyed to at the start of our September harvest. He uses the word \u201cretirement\u201d, for ag folks I prefer to use the term reinvention:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Here are some things to consider as you age on your farm or ranch:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol class=\"ol1\">\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>What are the current roles you want to continue?<\/b> Which ones would you like to let go of? My farmer is coughing more after cleaning bins, and I am encouraging him to quit that task at age 65, which is now.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Are you still passionate about farming?<\/b> Or just parts of it? Simon Sinek says, \u201cfulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose\u201d. What is it you are doing on your farm where you lose all track of time? This summer I think my farmer lost track of mowing fields and ditches and waiting for the grain to ripen. I love to play with my grandkids and enjoy their giggles, stories, and curiosity. Play me with them is a sweet spot and I am intentional in making time for them. I am still passionate about helping farm families make intentional choices for a better quality of life and harmony through understanding.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Do your passion and purpose align with your spouse\u2019s vision<\/b>? This is where it gets messy. You want to leave the farm life roles and responsibilities, but your partner does not. Not for a long time! Where is it written you cannot pursue some things in different time zones or days apart from your spouse?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Independence is one of my core values, yet my husband respects what I need to fill my well, and I am happy when I return to the farm from my off-farm contracts and contacts. Love and respect for the other can go both ways.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Adventure is big<\/b> on Scott Armstrong\u2019s workbook list. Farmers spend a lot of money on crop protection and other inputs. Many use the points from farm credit cards to fund short-term winter adventures. One of my clients is on a motorbike in the Maritimes as I write this. (Dairy farmer). Another farmer spends time in Mexico helping the poor build houses in the winter, and he wants to do more of this. Our adventures to visit friends in New Zealand, or travel with friends to Hawaii have been great times of renewal. Perhaps there is an ag tour you have been putting off. The GREAT PAUSE showed us how isolation and lack of adventure can really cramp our style, but we now have options. The most recent adventure for folks in our circle has been electric bikes. They are great for checking fields, riding down the Turtle Mountains to Boissevain, and going for a quick spin before supper. What is the adventure you have been putting off?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Vitality is an energy we all want more of.<\/b> Armstrong is convinced we are only using 50% of our body\u2019s capacity. Our wonderful physician Dr. Nell shook his finger at us 5 years ago saying \u201cLook you two it\u2019s time you started having some fun. At 75 it all starts to fall apart!\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This year I\u2019ve shed some weight via the app \u201cNOOM\u201d and am working on a better morning fitness routine. My friend, a cattle producer at age 68 does lots of stretching and 40 minutes on her elliptical every morning. She makes time for lots of hiking adventures and ensures her body is in great form. Armstrong has a great list of sleep hacks to have more renewal time.\r\nYour body is not a machine. Save money now by paying better attention to your health and making small habit changes to be healthier. Be kind to your brain and get off your devices long before bed. This will not kill you, and your marriage may be better off for the pillow talk without blue lights flashing from your cell phone or iPad, or TV.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Finances:<\/b> The number one encouragement I have is to find a good financial planner who can guide you with your income streams and personal wealth as your farm assets keep growing. CAFA which is the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors has great advisors in their directory who understand the culture of agriculture and the challenges of debt servicing and the need for personal wealth options. See <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cafanet.ca\"><span class=\"s1\">www.cafanet.ca<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Living Legacy:<\/strong> What do you want people to say about you BEFORE you die?\r\nI hope you have a wonderful 80th birthday party where folks can tell you in their own words and stories about how your life really was a blessing to them. Do you want to be able to set your grandkids up for financial success? Can you help fund their RESP for trades or university training? Could you help fund the local arts and culture or sports foundation of your small town? Would you be able to secretly give a \u201cleg up\u201d to a struggling single parent? Having the time to walk alongside newcomers to your community and financial support can be a huge blessing to making your town a great place to age gracefully. We live close to one of Manitoba\u2019s most beautiful small towns. The new bakeshop owner is now making sourdough bread with wheat head designs, plus great peanut butter marshmallow slices. This news may not excite you, but it is becoming a destination attraction. Sometimes it is the \u2018little things in life\u201d that make a day sweeter.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"li1\"><b>Social times<\/b>. Armstrong surprised me with his challenge to question who your friends are and why. Post-Covid relationships look different, and you may be navigating the loss of long-time or childhood friends. Intentionally make a list of the folks who align with your purpose and plans for growth. I\u2019ll still a big fan of calling my far-away friends to keep relationships growing, yet I also know having tea in person is refreshing. I suspect the guys reading this are longing for more friendships beyond the farm gate. What are you DOING about it?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Find out more about Scott Armstrong\u2019s fun, practical workbook at <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mindswitch.ca\"><span class=\"s1\">www.mindswitch.ca<\/span><\/a><\/span>, and reach out to the Mind Switch community on <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100063687142266\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/span> Tell him you are working on changing the mindsets in agriculture, one family at a time.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/insights\/free-stuff\/roles-storyboard\/\"><strong><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">Grab your copy of the Roles Storyboard<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to <span class=\"RFZYhc\">help you understand your 6 key roles - personal, couple, family, work (farm and off farm), friends, community.<\/span>\r\n\r\n***\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Elaine Froese is happy to be writing at 30,000 feet again. Invite her to speak at your next ag event. She has 30-plus years of practical insights for farmers to have the life they\u2019ve always wanted. One day at a time.\u00a0Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.elainefroese.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\">here <\/span><\/a>or Instagram <span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@farmfamilycoach<\/a><\/span> and hit the Linktree bio. Send cards to Box 957, Boissevain MB R0K 0E0.<\/p>\r\n<strong>Follow Elaine on Social for More Helpful Farm Family Advice!<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/farmfamilycoach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/farmfamilycoach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elainefroese\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/farmfamilycoach\/videos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@farmfamilycoach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a><\/span>\r\n\r\nDid you enjoy<em><strong> How to re-invent your farm life as you age with Mind-Switch? <\/strong><\/em>You might want to check these articles out too:\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/08\/25\/your-farms-emotional-tank-needs-checking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Farm\u2019s Emotional Tank Needs Checking<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/07\/14\/you-are-not-alone-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">You are not alone<\/a><\/span>\r\n<span style=\"color: #44b6ac;\"><a style=\"color: #44b6ac;\" href=\"https:\/\/elainefroese.com\/2022\/06\/30\/how-to-love-a-farmer-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Love a Farmer<\/a><\/span>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[297,3,70,169,1834,113,74,353,35,7,49,329,76,369,26,1832,1833,1831,359,1837,398],"class_list":["post-9676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-agriculture","tag-communication","tag-elaine-froese","tag-families","tag-family-land-transfer","tag-farm-business","tag-farm-families","tag-farm-family-discussions","tag-farm-folks","tag-farm-legacy","tag-farm-management","tag-farm-succession","tag-farmers","tag-farming-business","tag-farming-family","tag-iowa-farming","tag-landownership","tag-next-generation-ag-advocates","tag-succession-planning","tag-working-capital-in-farming","tag-young-farmers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Using Common Ground to Write Agreements You can Understand. - Elaine Froese | Canada\u2019s Farm Whisperer | Your go-to expert for farm families who want better communication and conflict resolution to secure a successful farm transition<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Using Common Ground to Write Agreements You can Understand. 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