If you’ve followed this column over the past six years, you know I preach the importance of surrounding yourself with great team members and creating a succession plan that gives opportunity to others and moves your business forward.
That’s exactly what I’m doing here. Starting next month, I hand off this column to KCoe Isom Manager Kala Jenkins.
MEET KALA
Let me introduce Kala to you. In her role with KCoe, Kala helps food and agriculture producers improve their financial performance through strategic planning, operational consulting and risk management.
Kala has a deep understanding of agriculture, as she grew up on a family livestock operation in the Midwest. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal agribusiness at Purdue University, worked as a grain buyer for Cargill after college and then specialized in ag lending with Farm Credit Mid-America. In 2018, Kala joined KCoe, and today she is based in Indianapolis.
Kala’s on-farm roots are never far from her thoughts. “Don’t let the heels and the dress fool you,” she likes to say. “I have my boots and jeans in the car.”
Kala will bring a fresh perspective to this column, which is dedicated to finance, growth and bettering farm operations. New ideas are what younger generations bring to the table. Too often, established agriculture doesn’t value that as it should.
There are a lot of folks who still dismiss youth’s age and energy.
At KCoe, we believe in giving younger associates the chance to take on more opportunities. It’s what I’ve advocated farmers also do: Allow younger family members and employees more experience. Put them in situations you know they can handle. Give them opportunities. Listen to their recommendations.
So many, like Kala, are able to deliver great value to whatever endeavor they take on.
As Kala says, “The next generation recognizes and honors the groundwork that’s been laid by those before us. We want to continue it.”
In case you’re wondering, I’m not going away. I’ll remain in my role as a KCoe principal, working to lead companies through growth. You’ll still see me at conferences and trade shows. Wherever I have a chance to speak, I’ll continue to preach these three messages:
- Know your numbers. That means understanding all expenses, revenues and the true cost of production.
- Focus on innovation. That doesn’t necessarily mean being first but cultivating a mindset of what’s coming.
- Execute on your plan. The most successful businesses don’t just talk about what they could or should do. They actually get important things done.
It’s been a pleasure connecting with Farm Journal readers every month. I look forward to the insights Kala will bring to these pages to help you think, grow and succeed.
