Farm Family Coaching

Elaine Froese encourages farm families to look at their ruts or muck and get unstuck. These are families who are in transition with their personal lives and the farm business. Some of these families are having a hard time talking to each other . Many founders are facing a change of workstyle, and easing into a different pace of life.

As a farm family coach, Elaine Froese helps families listen to each other’s issues and concerns. She creates a safe confidential place where each family member can hear the hopes, dreams and desires of each person. Elaine coaches families to discover new options and plans for their personal lives, and their farm business.

Unlike accountants who deal with the number crunching issues, Elaine digs deep as an intent conversationalist to help family members discover what they really want in their life. She goes beyond the facts, and weaves the needs, wants and feelings of her client into a practical, common sense plan.

Elaine goes many steps beyond others who are not willing to “discuss the undiscussabulls™”, the hard issues that need to be dealt with.

Seeds of Encouragement is a life development practice that is unique in working face to face with families to enhance family communication, get people talking, and then doing what they really want to do . Elaine creates actionable plans for positive change. She helps families discover how to enjoy life more and resolve their issues.

How this works is…Elaine has a discovery meeting with clients over the phone or at their home. If the family feels they are a good fit to work in building a relationship with Elaine, a proposal is designed and signed as a working contract. Elaine meets with individuals, couples, and then the farm family group. She uses passionate conversation, assessment tools, fun props and her flipchart to facilitate life-changing discussions. Her feedback is honest and direct. Frequent contact between face-to-face meetings happens by fax, phone and email.

Farm Family coaching process:

Telephone contact:

Initial interview to get a feel for working together. Nature of the desire for coaching, conflict issues, family communication.

What would you like to see happen if you worked with Elaine Froese? Discussion about the family and business priorities to be coached on.

Family roles and relationships...core family values, decision making, communication and conflict management.
Business scenario…vision for the farm, work ethic, financial snapshot, decision making, leadership, structure, use of outside resources.
Governance…goals, are they connected to family values? Succession, transfer plans.

Contract to work together:

After telephone contact and a discovery meeting, an engagement(contract) letter is outlined.

Step 1.	Family history and farm history. (May be done by phone /email)
Step 2.	Interviews with each of the family members. Ideally farming and non-farm. The whole family is the client. Use of “undiscussabull™ issue cards and purpose cards. Face to face communication. Two hours per interview.
Step 3.	Elaine compiles the interview issues into an agenda using neutral language for a family planning meeting. Goals of the meeting are set by the family members.
Step 4.	Family Meeting which focuses on family issues, business concerns. Ideally is a Family Business Planning meeting. Elaine uses toys, flipchart and intense conversation. The goal is to develop a common understanding of the issues and realities. Also , the goal is to make an action plan to address these issues. This process may take several family meetings (min. 3 hours each).
Step 5.	Act on the plan. Development of a common family vision. Planning steps and resources required for support. Follow-up by Elaine as family needs check-in times and more coaching.

Your family will benefit from farm family coaching when you are ready to work intently at addressing the changes you want to make happen for your own life, and the future of your farm business. The solutions or options you choose will come from your head and heart as Elaine asks questions and gives you direct honest feedback. She will help you discover the resources you choose to use, and will respect your ability to find great possibilities for the future you desire.

“Communication, communication, communication and forgiveness” are the four main issues of farm family transitions according to Dr. John Fast of the Centre for Family Business. The biggest benefit for your family in working with Elaine is to talk effectively with one another to make a workable plan that will be the foundation for future decision making in your family and business. Time and money invested in better communication will save time and money later. Family harmony is a great lubricant for making positive changes. When you meet with Elaine you will be clear about your roles, goals, and what is really important to you for your life. This clarity will enhance the process of talking with other professionals you deal with, such as accountants, financial planners, lenders, and lawyers.

The benefits of clear communication are great. The fees for coaching with Elaine are based on a package rate which accounts for her coaching time and follow-up for at least a 3 month period, with weekly contact. Fees are discussed at the discovery meeting. The coaching relationship ideally lasts 6 to 12 months for lasting change to take root.

Families who intentionally draw a map of where they want to go will be rewarded with a clear plan of how they are going to manage their journey. Coaching is an effective, intentional process to help your family talk to each other.

Elaine Froese is a skilled communicator and professional certified coach. As a farmer, mom, and wife she understands the dynamics of farm families. Her comprehensive degree in Home Economics and extension experience has gleaned her the respect of many professionals who work with farm families.

She is a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors. www.cafanet.com
Elaine holds a certificate “Family Business Dynamics” from the Centre for Family Business. www.familybizcentre.com
Elaine’s has training with a certificate in “Conflict Resolution” from Mediation Services.
Elaine is a certified coach with the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara www.hudsoninstitute.com accredited with the International Coaching Federation.