“Keeping each other accountable is very important.” — Gracey Gulak.

Summer Series: When she’ll be the leader…

[Leadership] On more farms like these, the dad-daughter relationship is emerging as one of agriculture’s greatest strengths

Reading Time: 10 minutes The dad-daughter relationship is emerging as one of agriculture’s greatest strengths. Country Guide spoke with two young Manitoban women about how they’re harnessing the power of this dynamic to grow their farms.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor Maybe it used to be a struggle for Dad to stop being Dad and become a business partner. […] Read more

“It’s been a game changer in the way that I manage the farm.” – Jake Leguee, Saskatchewan farmer.

Summer Series: Do you have the tools to be a better farm leader?

[Leadership] Becoming a more effective leader will position you to adapt to the challenges and opportunities coming your way

Reading Time: 6 minutes The words “leadership” and “management” are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences – and by focusing on leadership, you can ensure you’re putting your energy and resources in the right areas of your farm business.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor “Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.” It’s a […] Read more


“The younger generation needs to know whether there is ever going to be an opportunity. But they also have to understand that their parents are not required to give them a job or obligated to let them take over the farm, and there may be reasons why it won’t be possible.” – Kelly Dobson.

Summer Series: Do the kids really want it?

[Leadership] If yes, the kids and their parents both have to be clear on how they can prove it

Reading Time: 4 minutes If the kids are expressing an interest in the farm or their answer to the question “Do you really want this opportunity?” is yes, then both kids and parents must be clear on how they can prove it. Follow this expert advice to get you started.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor An intergenerational farm transition […] Read more

"It doesn’t matter the size of the operation, learning and advancing your leadership skills can pay dividends for anyone."

Summer Series: Is my kid a leader?

[Leadership] What does leadership potential look like?

Reading Time: 6 minutes What does leadership potential look like? Are there certain skills a parent should teach or encourage their kids to develop? And how can parents do that? Read or listen to this article to find out.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor It’s actually two questions. It isn’t just how much leadership potential have my kids got? […] Read more



“My experience in agriculture is lifelong, and the MBA has definitely helped me weave my way through my career off-farm and on the farm,” Steve Koeckhoven says.

Summer Series: Making a leader

[Leadership] As farms get bigger and more complex, more farmers like Steve Koeckhoven are drawing leadership insights from other business sectors

Reading Time: 10 minutes On-farm leadership is more than the skills we usually think of when defining a leader. This article looks at what farm leadership is really about.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor When we think of strong leaders we often leap to examples like politicians, sport coaches and the CEOs of large corporations, so it’s little surprise […] Read more


Leadership is a necessary skill that can be developed, offering a competitive advantage for your operation.

Summer Series: The difference maker: on-farm leadership

On-farm leadership is the X-factor that can be quantified and developed into competitive advantage

Reading Time: 4 minutes Can leadership skills impact your farm’s bottom line? Find out how this business x-factor can be developed to give your farm a competitive advantage.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor Leadership is the overlooked skill set that can explain why some farms move forward and grow, overcoming difficult periods to successfully transition from one generation to […] Read more

Leadership is not a “one and done” deal. It takes practice, commitment and a great deal of self-awareness.

Summer Series: The new farm leader

[Leadership] Six lessons from successful farms focused on boosting their leadership skills for 2024 and beyond

Reading Time: 10 minutes Is leadership learned or is there a leadership gene? Country Guide asked the next generation of Canadian ag how they learned to lead and what are the most important leadership skills.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor Agriculture has moved relentlessly forward for centuries. In a practical sense this is thanks to mechanical, scientific and technological […] Read more


Summer Series: Podcast with Samantha Klaver

Summer Series: Podcast with Samantha Klaver

Reading Time: < 1 minute Join us as we talk with Samantha Klaver, territory sales rep and CrossFit trainer, about her unique challenges and opportunities in Canadian agriculture. (Subscribe to the Country Guide Podcast on Google or Apple so you can catch new episodes as they’re released throughout the summer.)

Integrity, communication and decisiveness are the top three qualities one farmer said he wants in his leadership.

Summer Series: Leadership skills key to farm success

[Leadership] Two farm families share how they came to see getting stronger at farm leadership as the key to their growth

Reading Time: 6 minutes Being your own boss, making your own decisions, reaping the rewards of your hard work. Self-employment has its perks as a farmer. But as every farmer also knows, self-employment has its risks and its downsides too. You’re the one who’s accountable, you’re the one who has to keep yourself motivated, you’re the one who’s always […] Read more