More young people, including young farmers, are heading overseas to expand the skills they’ll bring back home
Of all the ways a person can prepare for a career, spending time far from the classroom and away from familiar surroundings may actually have the most impact. Lisa Blenkinsop, manager of the Studies Abroad program at the University of Guelph, hears this feedback over and over again from students who have spent time studying […] Read more
And make sure the rest of the family does too. Just 15 minutes in nature can cut stress levels
Being surrounded by wide open spaces and nature is undoubtedly one of the benefits of a farming lifestyle. Unfortunately, as farms get bigger, busier and more high-tech, farmers may find they are spending less time enjoying nature. Even worse, as our children spend more time indoors or on screens, they are losing out on the […] Read more
Capitalize on the summer to create lasting memories for your family. They’re the first step in a healthy succession process
Although a strong work ethic is always a point of pride in agriculture, the farm family also needs to celebrate its successes and to understand why you do all that hard work in the first place. That kind of perspective doesn’t grow by accident. Even so, says Rick Dehod, a provincial farm financial specialist with […] Read more
It may always be tough for you to say the first hello, but with these tips and your natural listening skills, you can be a networking pro
Most of us have been there. You find yourself standing awkwardly at the refreshment table at a conference, nodding and smiling as people pass you by. You want to connect with them but you’re not quite sure how to do it. If you’re an introvert, which researchers say is about a third of us, then […] Read more
Work better, sleep better, and bring some calm to your world
With 5,000 acres of crops to seed and harvest, Tamina Miller used to be so anxious, she could only sleep three hours a night. Miller, who farms with her family near Alliance, Alta., was suffering from stress overload. Then seven years ago, Miller started meditating 10 minutes a day, and it changed her life. Before […] Read more
Looking to boost your farm’s numbers? Bring a diverse work force to the job, and set them up to perform at their best
As farm businesses grow and become more complex, farmers are recognizing the importance of harnessing the full potential of the farm’s human resources. This means creating an inclusive workplace where both male and female members of the team can thrive and help the farm business meet its goals. A diverse workforce, it turns out, will […] Read more
How? Share your family stories with them. Research proves it’s a strategy that works
My parents came to Canada from the Netherlands after the Second World War. They came with very little money and only a few words of English, but they had a dream to own their own farm. Through hard work, diligence and a positive attitude, they were successful. But it wasn’t easy and when I have […] Read more
In today’s tight labour markets, a workplace that attracts women employees may give your farm the edge you’re looking for
With the farm labour shortage expected to go from bad to worse all across Canada, farms that can attract untapped communities of job seekers may have a big advantage. Which means women. Women are Canada’s largest under-utilized pool of potential farm employees. The numbers prove it. Women make up only 36 per cent of the […] Read more
The solution to your labour shortage may be just waiting for you to give her a chance
There’s a labour shortage on Canadian grain farms. And if industry predictions are correct, it’s only going to get worse… a lot worse. Following a three-year study, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) reported in 2016 that several factors will combine to create a growing shortage of domestic labour for farms. With an anticipated […] Read more
On the farm or on the road, turn that cellphone off!
Farmers know safety is important. So why do so many of us overlook one of the leading causes of injury and death? Distracted driving is a contributing factor in 80 per cent of vehicle collisions, leading to four million car crashes in North America each year. And in case you’re skeptical, those aren’t numbers that […] Read more
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