Photo: Canva_TrueCreatives

Farm & Family – Feb 27 edition

Reading Time: < 1 minute Last week, we highlighted part one of a two-part series by GFM associate digital editor Geralyn Wichers about why you should preserve your farm’s history. This week, part two tells you how you can preserve farm history and heirlooms — and how to let go. Here’s a question many of you have probably asked yourself […] Read more









Two farmers standing beside a yellow canola field

Ground rules for farm family communications

Summer Series: For better business results learn how to shift from talking and listening to each other as family members to making decisions together as business partners

Reading Time: 5 minutes Establishing meeting ground rules can help your family find ways to communicate that work for your farm.  Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your farm’s communication code of behaviour. Setting rules for how your farm will meet about business can be a difficult cultural shift for the whole farm and family, but it’s […] Read more

two farmers standing in a field crop with a green combine in the background

Leaders need support, too

Today’s ag leaders shoulder a heavy mental and emotional load. Despite their stoic leadership skills team members must remember that sometimes their leader needs support, too

Reading Time: 4 minutes “Leaders are expected to remain composed, to offer reassurance and to be a safe harbour for their teams… it can be draining,” says Jennifer MacTavish, a Guelph, Ont., executive coach and mediator.  This can lead to burnout, especially during times of uncertainty. MacTavish, who spent 20 years in leadership roles with agricultural industry associations, has […] Read more


Group of people standing outside on farm field with agricultural machinery in background during harvest season

Onboarding summer staff for agricultural businesses

A strategic approach to seasonal part-timers might be your ticket to growth

Reading Time: 4 minutes Given the seasonal nature of farming, summer students fill an important labour gap on many farms, especially those that operate in direct-to-consumer markets. With the continuing tight labour market, managing the hiring and training of seasonal employees (often students) well is critical to success. Unfortunately, too often the busy-ness of day-to-day farming during peak times […] Read more

Being able to work on their business rather than in it was a huge motivating factor for Donovan and Lisa Kitt when they hired their first permanent employee six years ago.

The case for hiring a full-time employee on your farm

It’s different today. Employees come with expectations. You have to work with them... but on this farm, it’s more than worth it

Reading Time: 12 minutes You may have had help on the farm before on a seasonal, casual or term basis. Most farms probably have. But farming today is different, and so are the reasons why you might be considering a full-time employee. So how do you know when it’s time to take the plunge? Will it pay off, or […] Read more