One of the tricks of a great farm succession is the ability of the founder to let go of management, and ultimately ownership. There are many 60 something and 70 something farm dads on the bald prairie that just don’t know how to change from being the main manager to “the hired man.”  I know hired man is not the politically correct term,  I should say “employee”.  Employees make a wage, and I don’t know if Dad is getting a paycheque!

When you started farming for your dad you were labour, then you gained skill to manage, and then you took over the operation by buying shares, or land, or assets.

Now at age 67 or 72 you are wanting to step back,  and only work when you feel like it. You are again the labour component. Continue reading Can you be the hired man again? »