Reading Time: 7 minutes How does a young animal learn to hunt? By observing the older generation. Humans are much the same. As a social species, we learn by mimicking, otherwise known as social learning. Social learning is the process through which we acquire knowledge and behaviours, by watching and imitating others. Like much of human social learning, transferring […] Read more
Knowledge lost and gained
Over the past few decades, technology has progressed exponentially, providing access to vast amounts of information. Ironically, this influx is contributing to a loss of important knowledge as well
When farm plans fail
If you’ve been talking for years about planning something for the farm, maybe it’s time to look at why you’re stuck
Reading Time: 3 minutes “It’s been 10 years, and we still don’t have a plan.” If this sounds like something you’ve said to yourself, have you also asked, “Why don’t we?” Ten years talking about making a plan but still not having it written down, or not making any real changes in the way your farm operates, can be […] Read more
Gen Z farmers are leading the way
The next generation of farmers are here and they’re mixing old with new to get results
Reading Time: 3 minutes Millennials and gen Z have taken a good deal of shots from previous generations, and maybe even an unfair share of them. But for those who would farm in adulthood, it turns out that Millennials and gen Z, stereotypically maligned for not working hard enough, aren’t so different from past generations that endured and stood […] Read more
Ten years on the farm
Canadian producers share the biggest lessons after a decade of farming
Reading Time: 8 minutes Ten years. It breaks down into 3,652 days, or over 87,000 hours. In that way, 10 years can seem like a lot of time. Yet in others, such as when managing a busy farm, it can pass in the blink of an eye. And that decade is certainly filled with vast knowledge acquisition, unexpected surprises […] Read more
Quebec farmers still learning after 10 years
After a decade farming, these Quebec farmers know that there’s always more to learn
Reading Time: 11 minutes Have you ever met a young farmer who was fresh out of ideas? Neither have we. The utter thrill of getting into farming for the first time is incomparable. The freedom to make one’s own decisions and, rightly or wrongly, see those decisions through. With time, of course, farmers gain perspective. Perhaps those older voices […] Read more
Wills and powers of attorney: the basics and why you need them
Reading Time: 3 minutes Every adult should have a will and powers of attorney. In this article, we explain the basics of these essential documents, why they are important and specific considerations for farm families. Once a succession plan is in place, it’s vital to update estate planning documents (e.g., wills and powers of attorney) to reflect the plan. […] Read more
Finding your passion project
What to do with your time off? There are plenty of options that have nothing to do with the farm
Reading Time: 6 minutes Farming is more than a career, it’s an identity. Which, up to a point, is a good thing. But the evidence is in, and it says that if the farm takes too much of your time and too much of your energy, that’s not good for your mental health, or for the health of your […] Read more
An eye on the future
Reading Time: < 1 minute Woodleigh Farms, a sixth-generation farm located in Cavan, Ont., has made a dedicated effort in recent years to shift away from traditional methods of agriculture to more regenerative and sustainable farming practices. Norm Lamothe joined his wife Emily’s sixth-generation farm when her parents were at that fork in the road so many farmers find themselves […] Read more
Why trust matters on the farm
Trust is at the heart of our personal and professional relationships. When this important foundation is cracked, what can you do to repair it?
Reading Time: 4 minutes Trust is at the foundation of every business and personal interaction. We can’t see it or touch it, but we sure know when it’s missing. It’s a red flag. While trust can feel like an intangible, Halifax business consultant Natalie Doyle Oldfield says that its impact can be measured and there are clear benefits of […] Read more
Beliefs your farm could be better without
Why don’t farm transition plans advance over time? Usually because families fall into one of these thinking traps
Reading Time: 3 minutes Beliefs, or “the rules we live by,” deeply influence our choices and assumptions. They show up in our day-to-day lives and we treat them as respected “facts,” when that may not be the case. We tend not to question or consider whether these beliefs are true. These rules are often learned in the household in […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
