There are lots of reasons for farmers not to take a vacation. You might not have reliable help, or maybe you don’t want to take your eyes off the markets, even for a second. Or perhaps you just find it tough to give up control, even for a week or two.
Get past it. Work-life balance is as critical on the farm as anywhere. “A farmer’s work-life balance is often overlooked,” says Gary Mawhiney, human resources management program lead with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Read Also
Ground rules for farm family communications
Establishing meeting ground rules can help your family find ways to communicate that work for your farm. Here are some…
“It’s a proven medical fact that stress can often lead to physical illness,” Mawhinney says. “Farmers should look after themselves in order to live a long and healthy life.”
Vacations can go a long way to developing that balance between work and life. They reduce stress, they create lasting memories, and they celebrate your bonds with your loved ones.
On the downside, though, there’s no denying that planning for a vacation can be stressful, so here are some preparation tips from farm advisers Liz Samis, who teaches Growing Your Farm Profits workshops in Ontario, and from Bill Johnson, owner of Total Farm Services in New Hamburg, Ont.
The goal of these tips is simple — to help you break away from the farm and enjoy a worry-free vacation.
Plan ahead. It seems obvious, but sometimes it’s the little things that get overlooked. “Remember the basics,” says Johnson. Make sure there is adequate and proper feed available for livestock, ask someone to collect the mail and keep an eye on the house, and put a hold on your newspaper subscription. Samis says it doesn’t hurt to have spare parts on hand for minor breakdowns and fill all the feed bins and fuel tanks before you leave.
Get help. Perhaps it’s a family member, neighbour or a hired hand, but regardless of who it is, take the time to train the people who are going to be responsible for your farm while you’re away. Write down detailed instructions for even the simplest task and have your help work alongside you, since most people learn better by doing rather than being told. If your operation relies on pagers and alarm systems, make sure your help is comfortable with these and knows how to respond accordingly. Consider asking a few people to rotate being “on call” to share the responsibility. Livestock operators should tell their veterinarians they will be away, says Samis. “That way, if advice or help is needed, your help will know they can call the vet.” Mark their calendar with important dates like when to reorder feed or animal pickup and delivery dates.
Get your paperwork in order. Amid all the fun of vacation planning, who wants to talk about wills and estates, and powers of attorney? Actually, there may not be a better time. Vacation planning is just like contingency planning, says Samis. “Without it a farm’s viability, future and continuity becomes an uncertainty.” So before you step on that plane, make sure you have updated your wills and that you have reviewed and assigned powers of attorney.
Make the list. There’s a good chance you’ve already started making a list of things you don’t want to forget to pack, from your camera to your bathing suit. But have you written out a contact list in case there’s disease in your herd, or have you written out a list that says who to call if there’s a broken water line, or an electric problem? Johnson recommends creating a list of important farm contacts like electricians, plumbers, veterinarians, and the local feed company. A troubleshooting list should also be developed to provide instructions on operating and fixing equipment such as computerized feeders, ventilation and drying systems, and feed mills. “Make sure the person you’ve left in charge has these lists,” says Johnson. “And take a copy of them with you on vacation.” Don’t be afraid to post multiple copies of the lists around the farm for additional helpers to reference while you are away. Some farmers even create menus to help relief milkers or temporary help remember proper livestock rations or breeding schedules. Emergency numbers should also make the list, including police, ambulance, and fire department along with detailed directions and geographical location of the farm.
Keep the lights on. Electricity on the farm is vital. There’s no better security system than having someone move right in to your home, with lights going on and off. Besides, having someone living on the farm means they’ll be ready to respond if and when anything goes wrong, which means you need to have the power running for them. But electicity in the barn is just as important, if not more so. Regular maintenance on generator systems will ensure they are ready to work when needed. Also leave clear operating instructions so your helpers will know what to do.
Never be out of reach. Being on vacation doesn’t mean you can’t be contacted, especially with today’s technology. Print out your itinerary and contact information. Your spouse may not allow you to pack your BlackBerry but if an emergency arises on the farm, you should be accessible. And if you know you’ll need to check in with someone at home, schedule your calls. This may help reduce your anxiety, and the help will be ready when the phone rings.
Prepare for the unexpected. Have you looked at your home or farm insurance policy lately? “Make sure you have proper insurance coverage in place, including workers compensation coverage,” says Johnson. While it’s always important to review your insurance policy regularly, modifications may be needed to help provide for those managing the farm in case an emergency happens in your absence.
Have fun. Remind yourself why you’re getting away. Drive out the farm gate knowing you’ve left the farm in good hands and have prepared for your vacation as best you can. Remember that you’re not giving up control. You’re doing the opposite of that: you’re taking control of your work-life balance and making time for yourself and your family.
Taking a break is important and while it may seem like a lot of work before you even get away, a vacation can go a long way to refresh yourself, reconnect with others and just relax. “If all we do is work then family members can start to resent you,” Samis says. “They may not want to farm down the road if all they see is their parents working.”CG
———
Farmsitting
Want to get away from the farm but you don’t have anyone to take care of the chores? Hire a farmsitter. A new and innovative company, AgriConnect.com is looking to match farmers with farmsitters all over Canada, for free.
Owner Frank Campbell describes a farmsitter as someone who has the skills and availability to help or work on a farm or acreage, and he has been trying to build a business by providing a dating service for farmers and farmsitters.
With a database of approximately 300 people across Canada, Campbell’s farmsitters range from retired veterinarians to elderly ladies willing to water flowers. For three years AgriConnect has been offering its services to vacationing farmers and those looking for additional help. Campbell says his farmsitters are available for vacation coverage, full time and seasonal help, or help while recovering from an illness or surgery.
Campbell does his best matching a farmer’s needs with the proper skills and abilities of farmsitters but it’s up to the farmer to check references, negotiate terms, and feel comfortable hiring a farmsitter. “I’m the middle man and it’s up to the farmer and farmsitter to get along,” says Campbell.
The farmsitting business was steady a year ago with three to five requests a week, but Campbell admits business has been slow this year, and he has only been seeing one request per week. Agri- Connect is a web-based company relying on advertising and marketing to fund their services. They recently appeared on CBC’s Dragon’s Den to pitch their business and were happy with the exposure the company received.
Says Campbell: “People can’t believe something like this exists.”
