What if I showed you a free tool that you could implement today that would have the potential to make your farm 21% more profitable, without spending a dime ?
This tool was used by US farm journalist John Phipps and he said his business generated more income as a result. It was also used by the top-shelf farmers in over 6 states who were studied by Virginia Tech Grad students.
What is it? Continue reading Why should I be a better listener? – Part One »
free·load (frld)
intr.v. free·load·ed, free·load·ing, free·loads Slang
To take advantage of the charity, generosity, or hospitality of others.
freeloader
Noun
Slang a person who habitually depends on others for food, accommodation, etc.
Spring is the time we are aware of what income taxes we need to pay. But are we aware of all the non-taxable benefits we enjoy on the farm ? Dick Wittman has a planning template to figure out all the things we enjoy on the farm, but don’t account for. (Go to www.wittmanconsulting.com and hit the file downloads “Compensation Summary”.) Things like “free beef” , fuel for the pick-up’s personal use, etc. The farm’s generosity covers many family living expenses. Compensation is sometimes a contentious issue.
Freeloading is a slang term with somewhat of a negative context. I wonder if you have challenged your single adult sons to account for all the benefits they have when then live with you after age 25, and how they depend on you for farm based generosity.
Some single farmers are not leaving the nest. They have it very good at mom’s house. She is still doing their laundry, feeding them, and mending jeans. Mom is looking for mobile homes, but son isn’t getting the hint. Continue reading Freeloading on the Farm »
Quiet time to yourself can be golden, but the silence of avoidance and fear can be devastating to a farm or relationship. Pay attention to what you don’t hear. Continue reading Pay attention to the silence »
March 2010 marks my 15th anniversary of writing for Grainews. Marie Salway passed away on March 15th, 1995. Marie had written the Butter Side Up column in this paper for over 17 years and she asked me to take her space. I can still remember thinking, “Wow, 17 years is a long time… and here we are 15 years later!” Continue reading Planting the seed of hope… again »
At January’s Farm Tech 2010 in Edmonton we were treated to a very heartfelt portrayal of thankfulness from a Newfoundlander who was grateful for prairie farmers. Rex Murphy, host of Cross Country Check-up was the guest story-teller on the podium. He admitted he was feeling under the weather, but another audience member who had heard Rex speak before said this story was his best performance, because he let us into his soul. Continue reading Cultivating great farm root stories »
Do the Tough Things Right... How to Prevent Communication Disasters in Family Business
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