FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food

Like many Saskatchewan farmers, Curtis Heinen is in the grains and oilseed business. But unlike most, he also operates an on-farm machinist business – and does it all while being visually impaired.

Backed by a supportive family and community, learn how he's built a thriving ag operation by learning to adapt, diversify and focus on the big picture.

Trent Hilderman, a producer and agronomist has a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish - to leave his farm better than he got it. And to have the best-producing, sustainable land that's profitable takes insight and practices from many different places.

In this episode, we hear how involving different ideas and perspectives in decision-making can lead to better farm management.

The pace of conversation may be a bit slower than what Jordan Clarke from Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is used to, but he has a lot of valuable insight to share on the auction business.

In this episode, Jordan and Marty discuss using online sales to broaden your customer base, the benefits of adding an auction person to your advisory team and how auctioneers can help when it's time to offload assets before you retire.

Carlie Bowditch and her family are forward-thinking farmers. They've embraced social media to help them engage with the public, advocate for ag and even recruit and retain employees. They also see the benefits of digitizing their accounting and field records.

In this episode, Marty and Carlie talk about how social media and tech can be valuable additions to any farm management toolkit.

What's the secret to a successful and profitable farm operation? In this special episode, recorded at Canadian Western Agribition, Marty chats with fellow CWA Top 50 Influential in Ag winners Alanna Koch, Dr. Joy Agnew and Brett McRae about strategic planning, digitization, mentorship and the future of agriculture.

Calgary lawyer, Eric Dalke has helped many a farm family navigate the complexities of transition and will and estate planning – and he has some plain-spoken legal advice to share.

In this episode, Eric and Marty discuss why a will is the cornerstone to any good transition and how early conversations and putting pen to paper are essential to everyone getting on the same page.

Whether you plan or not, transition happens on every family farm. In this episode, Marty talks to Andrea De Groot, an FCC Business Advisor and Allison Henkell a Tax Partner at BDO about what to consider "pre-transition" and how to determine your farm's viability to support both generations early in the process.

Learn how to organize your assets, understand your business structure, assess your personal net worth and ask open-ended questions.

Dave Semmelink, a Vancouver Island farmer, is a busy guy. He raises livestock, grows vegetables, runs a farm stand and recently invested in an abattoir – and does it all on leased land. It may seem risky, but with a solid business plan, he's set up for success.

How did a former town kid with a 20-year career as a makeup artist end up managing the family dairy? For Ashley Brown of Browndale Farm, coming home to support her father after losing his farm help, empowered her to turn a labour shortage into an opportunity to innovate through automation.

In this episode, Ashley and Marty talk technology, risk mitigation, diversification, keeping the family legacy and falling in love with her "girls".

Kenneth Carrier may only have 5 years in the apple business, but his long history in food-related industries and talent for marketing and finance has fast-tracked his ag success.

In this episode, Kenneth and Marty talk about his journey to the orchard business and how good data management, careful planning, creating balance and defining career satisfaction helps with his new venture.