Young farmers in soybean fields before harvest

Summer Series: Characteristics of highly effective leaders

[Leadership] Part two in a series on leadership

Reading Time: 4 minutes “Solutions to the greatest challenges and opportunities are not found in strategy or quick fixes, they are found within the people who have problems.” These are the 12 characteristics effective leaders learn and practice to influence their farm’s ROI.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor In my last article I described six characteristics of highly effective […] Read more

Women are very effective at bringing people together and bringing out the best in individuals.

Summer Series: Farm CEO: Women farm executives

[Leadership] “Women are showing up in business, and what they are doing is working. It should be seen as a model for all of us.”

Reading Time: 3 minutes Studies show that women have a lot to offer in terms of executive decision-makers on the farm – and there are plenty of lessons agriculture can learn from them.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor Women make great farm CEOs. Did you hear that, Dad? Studies are showing that women have a lot to offer as […] Read more


Mom and Dad, what should you be looking for when the kids come home? Are you willing to let them make mistakes?

Summer Series: Up to the job

[Leadership] You’re home for the summer. Now, how are you going to show Mom and Dad that you’re a safe bet for taking over the farm?

Reading Time: 6 minutes You’re home for the summer. Now, how are you going to show Mom and Dad that you’re a safe bet for taking over the farm? Here’s how to get started.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor It’s a phrase that means just what it says. Leadership succession is real, and it’s catching on. If your succession […] 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


"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


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

“We want women to understand how policy — or the ‘rules’ of farming and food production — impacts agriculture. We try to encourage them to realize that they have a voice and a perspective that can be shared.”

Program helps women take the next step in agriculture

You’re overworked already, so how can it possibly make sense to sign up for education approaches like the new ELLE program?

Reading Time: 7 minutes It was 2017, and Kristen Ritson-Bennett was understandably overwhelmed. Ritson-Bennett is an Alberta cattle nutritionist and co-owner of a successful ruminant vitamin and mineral supplement manufacturing business. Plus she was supporting her husband Andrew in starting a second business, a veterinary clinic. And, she was pregnant with her second child.  That’s when Ritson-Bennett decided to […] Read more