Management
The idea of venture capital is not commonly discussed in coffee shops across farm country. In terms of ROI, investing a small amount of capital or services at the earliest stage is the most valuable investment.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
This week’s USDA Crop Progress report shows corn planting five percentage points (49% planted) behind average, while soybean planting has slowed to just a single percentage point ahead (35%).
After two years of consulting with farms ranging in size from 200 acres to more than 10,000 acres, Jeff Kazin and Mike Rohlfsen say they very rarely encounter a farmer with a precise answer.
Wayne Gehrke and Carolyn Brummel share how they diversified beyond corn and soybeans and made the most of what they already had so they both could farm full time.
Marc and Meagan Kaiser are building their future — finding a way to be part of their families’ corn and soybean operation and soil testing lab while starting a precision ag business and being active in farm groups.
Kyle Scheele shares six ways constraints can be a good thing to your operation.