Everyone brings a unique set of skills and passions to the family farm - but what if the biggest value you can add actually comes from a career off the farm?
Sam Beveridge, an experienced commodity trader, joins Rena Striegel and Ron Rabo on the Ag Inspo podcast to share how his contribution to his family’s sixth-generation operation might look untraditional.
“My strongest contribution back to the farm is being a voice, a sound of leadership that can say ‘here’s what I’m seeing across the farmers I talk to. Here’s what is working, here’s what is not, and here are some of the loopholes to be cautious of’,” he says.
Beveridge’s family farms land in the sandhills of Nebraska along with running a cow-calf operation. He explains that in his case, he best thing for the farm was for his brother to run the day-to-day operations while he provides insights from an office setting.
“Where do you fit best in the family operation? It could be ‘the guy in the office’, and that’s a valuable understanding to have,” Beveridge says. “In a traditional farm or ranch environment, your role is to return and be the physical labor. But I’m a pretty good trader, and the financial trading aspect outweighs any labor aspect I could provide. My value per hour is better sitting in the environment I am today and allowing my brother to rise up and be the leader in his space.”
It isn’t always going to be easy for everyone to carve out their individual role, and he shares it’s been a process of countless trial and error for his family to get to the point they are today.
“You’re better when you have the people who are really good at what they’re doing staying focused in those spaces,” Beveridge says. “There are other people who love what you don’t and they’ll put their blood, sweat and tears into it because that’s what they want to do.”
The Ag Inspo podcast uncovers the stories that inspire, empower and drive change. Hosts Rena Striegel and Rob Rabo explore the journeys of farmers, entrepreneurs and leaders who are making a difference. To hear more, click here.
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