Posts Tagged ‘Farming Culture’

11 Tips to Stay Renewed

Monday, August 15th, 2011

I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night instead of filing emails until midnight. I should know better since I need to get a really good sleep to stay on top of the daily demands of the farm. Vacuuming 4 shop vacs of water out  of our water-logged basement this morning only reminded me to be thankful for the dry years.

I have no idea what kind of summer you are having. It might be scorching hot and dry on your farm, or you might be having a forced sabbatical year like us. Very few acres to harvest, only 10% of our land got seeded.

Regardless of your external circumstances, as your coach via this column I have the Hudson Institute’s 11 tips for staying power: ways to be self-renewing: Continue reading 11 Tips to Stay Renewed »

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Joy of Harvest Washed Away

Friday, July 8th, 2011

When I kissed my husband goodbye this morning he said “I am headed to the swamp !” That pretty much sums up the feelings of many farmers who greet the mist of the morning with sadness. The joy of the harvest across much of the prairies has been washed away. About 40% of Manitoba cropland is left unseeded. Our new plan for the summer is weed control. We seeded 20% of our crop.

The president of Keystone Ag Producers announced on radio this morning that the economic ripple will be felt in Manitoba. Mr. Chorney said that we’ll need 2 months of dry weather to dry things out, so that we can manage the fields for next year. This is a call for creativity and patience as witnessed by the new “dualies” on the back of our high clearance sprayer that hit the soggy fields yesterday. Continue reading Joy of Harvest Washed Away »

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The Father Factor in Farming

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Your father’s particular parenting style is the template that forms the father factor in your career.” “ If your father has died, that doesn’t mean that the feelings from the relationship are dead”. (Dr. Stephan B. Poulter, author of The Father Factor: how your Father’s Legacy Impacts Your Career. www.onefatherfactor.com )

Sometimes as a farm family coach I feel like a detective, patiently gathering clues via conversations from the fathers , mothers, sons and daughters who are struggling with their farm careers. Last month I found a treasured resource;  the book “The Father Factor” was recommended by a farm business advisor as the best book he has read, next to the Bible !

I’ve been writing about Father’s day in this paper for 16 years, and I think that I am most excited about finding this new tool for all farm families to access. If you want to glance through the first chapter go to http://mensightmagazine.com/Articles/Poulter,%20Steven/fatherfactor.htm Continue reading The Father Factor in Farming »

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Saying Goodbye to the Home Farm

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Climbing a large rock pile and checking the chicken coop are two fond memories of my childhood playtimes in Grandma’s farm yard. Farm families have a hard time saying goodbye to the memories held with the “home place”. Letting brother take over the yard, or selling out evoke tears, and a deep sense of loss in some folks.

The loss is about the change of ownership and control that begs the question “where are my roots now? Where is my sense of place?” The sadness comes with a loss of connection to your family of origin and wondering if the new owners will respect your need to visit now and again.

In our farming culture, we have rituals like auctions sales, fall suppers, and fairs to mark certain seasons or events. I think it is time to create some traditions that work for families to mark transition and change in moving from the home place, with positive actions. I’ll call it talk, walk, and mark. Continue reading Saying Goodbye to the Home Farm »

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