Country Guide is taking a hard look at where we’re heading and how we’re getting there. Are we getting the job done for you? Is it the right job? How can we make a bigger difference?
It’s a healthy thing. Here at Country Guide we’ve launched a kind of performance review over the past several months. The world doesn’t stay the same forever. Technologies change; resources change. The challenges change too, both for us internally and, of course, for you.
Business for us different. Business for you is different. The former affects “how” we do what we do. The latter dictates “what” we do.
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Looking at both is something we’ve gotten better at doing routinely. It would be ludicrous if we didn’t.
Could we really spend our days talking to farmers about the continual changes you’re making to your farms and not pick up on the wisdom of our doing the same?
And, like you, what we see when we first get together to start tossing some initial ideas around is a mix. There are opportunities. But of course there are challenges too.
On the one hand, it won’t surprise anyone to hear that it’s been a tough year in the print world, in part because of issues having to do with paper costs and availability. We’ve never seen anything of this scale before. Nor will it surprise anyone to know that with digital technologies, there are all sorts of new possibilities, especially if we’re open to new ways of thinking about our work.
Of course, though, the biggest opportunity lies in the changes within farming itself.
When I approach writers I’d like to see get involved in farm writing, I’m forever trying to convey to them what an incredible moment this is. I tell them the 2020s is one of the most decisive decades in agricultural history. And I say it without a hint of hesitation.
In part, it’s because of the professionalization of farming that I’m always writing about. But it goes beyond that too. The core of it is, this is an industry of smart people making smart decisions with the future of the world depending on their success.
Honestly, I don’t know any other sector that can match the excitement of it.
So this brings me back to where I need to ask for your help. As a heads up, starting in this issue, you may notice a column or feature is temporarily missing. If you think you’re better with or without it, don’t hesitate to drop me a note. My email is below, just as always.
Beyond that, though, I’d appreciate a note from you about your perception of Guide. Are we relevant? Do we help?
Don’t feel you have to make a job of it. You could even just give us a grade and a quick word of explanation. It’s your choice, but I do want to hear from you.
Let’s close on this note. Everything changes, as I say — technologies change, markets change, circumstances change — it all changes, except core values.
At Country Guide, our core values celebrate the importance of farm decision-making and the power of farmers sharing with other farmers.
Are we getting it right? Let me know at [email protected].
