As I write this on September 3^rd, we are stalled with a large harvest due to bothersome rains. Those of you with more muck than crop are saying “wish I even had a harvest.” And the farmer from Margo Saskatchewan with 12,000 unseeded acres is wondering how to get the land ready for next year! Not fun.

We’ve gone through this before in 1999 and 2005, but for some folks this year is the most extreme challenge. My concern is for the family foundation and resilience that holds things together even under enormous external stresses.

We can’t stop the rain or cause fields to dry up overnight. We can choose to find ways to cope, and hope.

This summer I’ve had conversations with farmers and ranchers looking for hope to keep up their passion of agriculture and re-ignite the passion of their marriages. I remind them that if their spouse is the most important part of their life, how are they putting that into action?

Farms under financial strain due to poor crops and looming debt payments can still succeed IF the folks involved pull together as a team and keep talking and listening to each other. Continue reading Managing your Marriage in the Muck »