Impact Farming

In this Expert's Corner segment, Tracy speaks with Derek Dery about "5 Questions to Kick Start Your Grain Marketing Plan." Today we're discussing some key questions a producer should ask themselves to kick start their grain marketing strategy and take the guesswork out of their grain marketing decisions. In this episode, Tracy and Derek chat about:

• Where to start? Derek shares that the best place to start is with your farm operation's goals. For many, this is dollars and cents; however, producers implement grain marketing plans for many additional reasons.
• Derek shares the single most important question that producers should ask themselves before selling.
• They speak to the uniqueness of each farming operation and how these factors go into developing a grain marketing plan. There is no cookie cutter solution that works for every farming operation.
• Many producers sell by "gut feeling" or by what the neighbour is doing. Derek shares what it means to have a concrete strategy in place for selling your grain.
• You don't have to do it alone. As a grain farmer himself, Derek understands the tremendous pressure that farmers are under at all times, and especially as they sell their grain. These discussions are important. He shares how grain advisors can help producers remove the stress from these decisions with advice and a strong sounding board for smart marketing decisions.

Farmers don't need to do this alone. Grain marketing is a complex team effort, and producers with a customized grain marketing plan remain in control even when the unexpected happens. Are you interested in developing a grain marketing plan? Allow this episode to kick-start your efforts.

Visit www.farmlinksolutions.ca to try GrainFox FREE for 90-Days.

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Thank You to our Company Expert: FarmLink | GrainFox Maximize your financial yield with smart grain marketing. Learn More: https://www.farmlinksolutions.ca/

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In today's episode, Tracy speaks to Andrea De Groot and Joel Bokenfohr about "Sweat Equity on The Farm." Are you part of a family farm and unsure how to handle sweat equity on your operation? If so, you will not want to miss this episode where Tracy, Andrea, and Joel chat about:

• What sweat equity is and why it comes into play on family farm operations.
• They discuss how sweat equity can create a larger problem over time.
• Andrea and Joel share some sweat equity guidelines when bringing new family members into the farm business.
• They chat about sweat equity and how the conversation may change depending on the stage of the business and the age of the next generation(s).
• Andrea and Joel share examples of sweat equity scenarios they have run into.

Whether you are the farm founder or generation two (three or four), Andrea and Joel provide some great insight on how to handle sweat equity on the family farm.

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Show Resources

To learn more about Dick Wittman, his free resources, or his Building Effective Farm Management Systems Guidebook that is available for purchase, please visit: https://wittmanconsulting.com

............................... ***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ...............................

SHOW RESOURCES

FCC Transition Knowledge - https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/knowledge/transition.html

FCC Advisory Services - https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/resources/transition-planning.html

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We are celebrating The Impact Farming Show's 3rd Anniversary. To celebrate, we are counting down and rebroadcasting the TOP 5 episodes from season 3. This week we are excited to bring you our #1 highest listened to and watched episode, which was "Farm Transition Part #1: Succession Planning" w/Merle Good and Annessa Good Originally aired on May 12, 2021 - We had the pleasure of having this dynamic duo on the Impact Farming Show, as father and daughter, their unique situation allows them to bring a multi-faceted and multi-generational view to farm transition planning. Merle and Annessa Good have so much valuable information to share with us, so we felt it was best to feature them in 2 different episodes. This first episode is all about Succession Planning, you do not want to miss it. ................................................ In this week's episode, we will be speaking to Annessa Good and Merle Good in the first of a two-part episode about Farm Transition. Merle is a Farm Business Management Consultant and has been working with farm families for decades. Annessa is a Farm Transition Advisor with Farm Credit Canada. In this week's episode, we will be discussing Succession Planning, and in next week's episode we will be discussing Estate Planning. In this episode;

• Merle and Annessa define succession planning and estate planning and share how they see them as two pillars within the umbrella process of transition planning.
• They expand on why they encourage farm families to look at who takes over the farm (succession planning) and the farm wealth (estate planning) separately and then again as part of the much larger picture.
• They speak to the importance of communication and how unspoken expectations are the silent killer on family farms.
• Merle and Annessa discuss farm roles, responsibilities, and compensation.
• They share how farming is an equity game versus an income game and they speak to why this difference is important.

This episode is jammed packed with nuggets of wisdom and strategies from Merle and Annessa's work with Canadian farm families. You DON'T want to miss this one, and make sure to tune into next week's episode for part two of this interview.

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***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up

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Thank You to our Show Sponsor: PIONEER Made To Grow

"The Pioneer Made To Grow" Podcast Learn More

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We are celebrating The Impact Farming Show's 3rd Anniversary. To celebrate, we are counting down and rebroadcasting the TOP 5 episodes from season 3. This week we are excited to bring you the 2nd highest listened to and watched episode, which was "Strategic Planning 101" w/Josée Lemoine. This episode was originally aired on January 6, 2021. With so many natural ailments, such as covid-19 and the weather affecting our farming operations, 2020 and 2021 have definitely put us to the test. Are you looking to improve your operational efficiency and profitability of the farm? Strategic planning is your answer, tune in to this episode to see why it rated 2nd in our Season 3 countdown and find out how it could IMPACT your farming operation. ................................................

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Josée Lemoine about "Strategic Planning 101". "If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there." This quote is a great way to lead into today's episode about strategic planning for the farm. Are you familiar with the term strategic planning? Are you wondering what it is all about? Or maybe you are new to the term, and you are currently looking to improve the operational efficiency and profitability of the farm. If so, this episode is for you! In this episode, Tracy chats with Josée about:

• What is strategic planning?
• Who can benefit from strategic planning?
• How does it work?
• What is covered in the plan?
• Tips for getting the most out of your plan.
• The benefits of working with an advisor for strategic planning and much, much more.

Are you looking to hone your farm business management practices? Strategic planning is one of the essential tools in the farm business management tool belt. Tune in to today's episode to see how this process could IMPACT your farming operation.

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***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up

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Thank You to our Show Sponsor: Smart Nutrition™

Boost your soil's performance with new Smart Nutrition MAP+MST. Learn More

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We are celebrating The Impact Farming Show's 3rd Anniversary. To celebrate, we are counting down and rebroadcasting the TOP 5 episodes from season 3. This week we are excited to bring you the 3rd highest listened to and watched episode, which was "I've Got My Foot In The Door… Now What?" w/ Patti Durand. This episode was originally aired on May 4, 2021. Are you part of the second generation and are either looking into the process of taking over the farm or maybe you are already in the process of taking over the family farm? When looking at farm transitioning, we must look at both parties, the first generation that is transferring the family farm as well as the second generation that is taking over the family farm. It is a difficult process for both, but luckily there are many professionals like Patti Durand to help. Geared to the second generation of the farm family, we are happy to bring you our 3rd highest listened to and watched episode. You do not want to miss this one! ................................................

In this week's episode, we speak to Patti Durand about advice for the second generation in this episode titled "I've Got My Foot In The Door… Now What?"

As a Farm Credit Canada Business Advisor for Transition, Patti works with many farm families to assist them in transferring the farm from the founders to the junior partners. In this work, they see many trends and patterns, and Patti is excited to join us this week to share some actionable for the junior partner.

In this episode, Patti and Tracy chat about:

• Patti shares more about Farm Credit Canada's farm transition team, their work, and the difference they are looking to make in the Canadian agriculture industry.
• She shares a prevalent theme they see where junior partners (the next generation) are trying to "prove" they are ready to take over leadership and ownership of the farm; however, they are guessing BADLY at times.
• Tracy and Patti discuss the MANY factors and tasks involved in transition planning.
• Patti then shares the four key things that the junior partner on the farm can focus their efforts on in a productive way.

Are you part of the next generation that is looking to take over your family farm? Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast? If so, we KNOW this episode is precisely what you need to hear today.

Tune in now and make sure to download the FREE resources kindly provided by Patti and her team at Farm Credit Canada.

**Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ………………………….

Thank You to our Show Sponsor: PIONEER Made To Grow

"The Pioneer Made To Grow" Podcast Learn More

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SHOW RESOURCES

1. Pdf – Knowledge & Training Assessment - https://www.fcc-fac.ca/fcc/resources/transition-assessment-tool-e.pdf
2. Focus on Transition Video Series (5-10 minute videos talking about common pitfalls, tips and tricks) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLZ8O2XFY9E9f-QwXhdz4_mReRRShibVC

In this interview, Tracy and Derek discuss precisely that. They discuss:

• What is a grain marketing advisor, and what do they do?
• Where do they fit into the bigger picture of the grain marketing cycle?
• Why do producers hire a marketing advisor? Derek's answers may surprise you, as increased crop revenue is only just one of the goals that many farmers are looking to achieve from hiring an advisor. Derek shares the value that he and his fellow grain marketing advisors are looking to bring their clients.
• Tracy and Derek also end up chatting about one of the benefits of an advisor that many producers truly appreciate, especially during challenging crop years like 2021. What is that benefit? It's the ability for farmers to have someone to speak to during the good times and the bad. Making tough decisions in tough years is stressful and having an unbiased third party to talk to about these decisions can really lighten the mental burden.
• They chat about how to connect with an advisor if you are looking to add to your team of trusted professionals.

Are you a grain producer? Are you looking to make smart grain decisions and maximize your revenue? If so, you won't want to miss this segment.

Visit www.farmlinksolutions.ca to try GrainFox FREE for 90-Days.

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Thank You to our Company Expert: FarmLink | GrainFox Maximize your financial yield with smart grain marketing. Learn More: https://www.farmlinksolutions.ca/

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We are celebrating The Impact Farming Show's 3rd Anniversary. To celebrate, we are counting down and rebroadcasting the TOP 5 episodes from season 3. This week we are excited to bring you the 4th highest listened to and watched episode, which was "Transition & Vision For Management" w/Terry Betker. This episode was originally aired on April 21, 2021. Tranisitioning the farm can be a difficult process, this is why there are so many resources available to help make this process as easy as possible. Terry Betker and the information that he shares in this episode are definitely some of the most important resources you need. It's no wonder that it made it into our top 5 of season 3. ................................................

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Terry Betker about "Creating A Vision For Management," as a critical part of the transition planning process. Terry Betker is President & CEO of Backswath Management, and he has been helping farm families with transition planning for well over 20 years now. In this week's episode, he joins Tracy on The Impact Farming Show to share a growing concern that he has for something that doesn't get discussed enough in transition planning, creating a vision for management. Terry shares how it can make transition planning very difficult if you do not get this one thing right. In this episode, they chat about:

• What has remained the same, and what has changed over the last 20 years when it comes to transition planning.
• Terry shares more about the concept of creating a vision for management and why this is a critically important step to getting transition planning correct.
• They spend some time discussing what a vision for management is and why it's vital to have before farm families begin transferring ownership of assets.
• Tracy asks Terry to clarify transition planning for us, and Terry kindly breaks it down into two main categories. This part of the conversation is a real game-changer in simplifying what seems to be an overwhelmingly complex topic.
• They dive into the human condition and chat about why transition planning can be difficult for farm families. He shares some reassurance and encouragement.

Do you farm with family and have a transition on the horizon? If so, don't miss this episode as Terry's wisdom shared in this episode could impact the way your family manages and transitions the farm from now on.

............................... ***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions. https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ………………………….

Thank You to our Show Sponsor: Bayer Crop Science

Get back to what you love. Learn More

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We are celebrating The Impact Farming Show's 3rd Anniversary. To celebrate, we are counting down and rebroadcasting the TOP 5 episodes from season 3. This week we are excited to bring you the 5th highest listened to and watched episode, which was "Transition Planning, The Underlying Issues" w/Art Lange. This episode was originally aired on April 28, 2021. With so much uncertainty over the past year and a half, farm transitioning is definitely a big subject that is needed to be talked about around the table right now. We are grateful to have Art Lange join us in this episode, to help get the conversation rolling.

In this week's episode, we speak to Art Lange about "The Underlying Issues" regarding transition planning. Are you ready for some real talk about why transition fails to get started? If so, you are in the right place. More often than not, it's not things like taxes and wills that cause the senior generation to stall and avoid the subject. It's rarely that. It's often all the stuff that we don't want to talk about…"The Underlying Issues," and that is precisely what we are going to chat about today. In this episode, Tracy and Art discuss:

• They discuss the three biggest obstacles for founders. Are you not getting anywhere with the founders of your farm? It's likely one of these three reasons.
• They discuss what happens if a family starts doing transition planning, and then it goes downhill into arguments and ill will. What then? Art provides some great suggestions.
• Art shares how to deal with founders that refuse to discuss the subject.
• We chat briefly about the five triggers of transition planning and why it's critically important to plan before any of these triggers occur.

Are you frustrated with the transition planning, or lack thereof, on your farm? If so, this episode is for you. Whether you are a farm founder or the next generation looking to take over the farm, this episode is for you.

............................... Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ………………………….

SHOW RESOURCES Find a Farm Transition Advisor on CAFA website: https://www.cafanet.ca Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward BUY TODAY The Third Pillar: How Markets and the State Leave the Community Behind BUY TODAY

The Family Business Doctor by Dr. John Fast BUY IT TODAY

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Thank You to our Show Sponsor: Bayer Crop Science

Get back to what you love. Learn More

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In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Dick Wittman about "Farm HR Essentials." Have you ever wondered what HR processes you should be incorporating on your farm? If so, today's episode is for you. In this episode, Tracy and Dick discuss:

• We discuss the importance of farm business management processes including some of the most important HR practices that farms should be following.
• When is the time to implement HR practices on your farm? Is this for "small" family farms with just a few family members farming, or is this only for large operations?
• We discuss implementing culture and how things such as core values can help align individuals on your farming operation.
• They discuss some of the core HR areas, including; job contracts, hiring family, firing family, wage reviews, and how to handle returning family members with a family participation policy.
• Dick then ties together the value of solid farm business practices and how this can help families transition their farm to the next generation much more successfully than those farms that do not have a strong business focus on their farm.

If you are looking to strengthen your farm business management skills, you won't want to miss this episode.

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Show Resources

To learn more about Dick Wittman, his free resources, or his Building Effective Farm Management Systems Guidebook that is available for purchase, please visit: https://wittmanconsulting.com

............................... ***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ...............................

In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy speaks with Terry Betker about "Transition Planning Forward."

As farmers, we tend to put off transition planning for many reasons. Today, we will be discussing the increased urgency for transition planning as we look forward to all the changes that we are likely to see next in the next 30 years.

In this episode, Tracy and Terry discuss:

• Terry sets the stage for the conversation by commenting on the dramatic changes in the agriculture industry over the last 30 years. The changes have been remarkable; however, Terry encourages the audience to think forward another 30 years and visualize the dramatic changes that we are likely to see in farming.
• Terry then applies this to transition planning. If we think transition planning is complex now, what will it be like in 30 years?
• He shares the three-circle family business model with our audience. He explains what it is and how this is the same framework used by professionals to help farm families through transition planning.
• With the three-circle family business model in mind, Terry and Tracy begin looking at each of the three areas and how they are likely to be impacted over the next 30 years.
• How will farm ownership change over the next 30 years? The increase in absentee land ownership is one area they look at.
• What changes are we going to see within the farm family? If we look back 30 years, farm families are dramatically different in so many ways. Now, what will that look like going forward?
• Last but not least, we look at farm business management and how management practices are bound to change. How will new technology, higher land prices, and even smaller margins impact business management?
• Terry wraps up the discussion with a call for even an stronger focus on farm business management and transition planning going forward. He shares another neat concept called the Family Business Continuum Graphic that shows a sliding scale that can help our audience gauge where their farming operation falls on the scale of Family-focused business or business-focused. He shares what he thinks is the sweet spot for farm families.

In a World where farm legacy is so important, producers owe it to themselves to tune into this episode. Terry shares some great thoughts on where top farm business managers should be putting their focus in the future to ensure their operation stands the test of time. Don't miss this one!

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Show Resources

Click HERE to view the power point to help you.

............................... ***Don't forget to sign up as an Impact Farming Insider so that you are first to know about all-new episodes, fantastic contests, and new promotions https://www.farmmarketer.com/impact_farming_show/sign-up ...............................