Today I’m joined by Weston Birkeland, a 4th generation farmer who grows mostly wheat and barley on about 20K acres in Montana. We take a deep dive and discuss how Legacy Farmer has impacted absolutely every aspect of his life and business in only 3 short weeks.  Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org

E101 | Interview with Weston Birkeland

Join your host, Jace D. Young, as he leads you through the truth about being a Modern Day Farmer, Rancher, Entrepreneur, Married Spouse, and Parent.

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The farming and ranching industry has a very high suicide rate, and it’s only gotten worse over the last decade or so. Many times we think that if we just had money it would solve our problems. What we don’t realize is that the problems run far deeper than that and once the surface-level problem of money is gone, all we are left with is the deep, festering, real issues below it.     Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org 

E129 | Money Won't Solve The Real Issues

All business owners go through pits and peaks when starting and growing a business. It’s very important to be able to recognize when you are in a bit and to not let yourself get stuck there. Our lives can be broken up into the 4 categories of body, being, balance, and business. Many times when the business is struggling it is one, or multiple, of the other categories pulling it down. Focusing on those other areas first can solve a lot of your problems without even touching the business. Taking action is key. Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org

E128 | The Pits and the Peaks of Business

We all get into what we are doing to build something better for the next generation. We all have a vision on how we get to that point, and if things don’t go exactly as planned, we can start to feel like a failure. Sometimes, we also have to reevaluate the path we are taking to make sure it’s the most sustainable. Holding the goal of handing down a legacy is the most important, but you have to be flexible on how you get there. You also might have to be flexible on how exactly you hand down the legacy. What you have in mind might not be the best solution. If you know there are problems in the business, just take actions and get them fixed.   Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org 

E127 | Stubborn on the Vision - Flexible on the Details

A lot of people like to tell themselves that once they fix their financial problems, everything will come together in their life. The issue is, once you fix the financial problems, all you are left with is the real problems. When it comes to solving financial problems, for some people it’s quick, for others, it can take years. When you are trying to build something great with your life, it will come at the expense of those you hold closest. Be it your time, or energy spent with those people. It is a heavy price to pay. You are constantly sacrificing time WITH the people you love most, FOR the people you love most, even though it can feel wrong in the moment. As a father and husband, this will weigh on you. You should recognize the pain on both sides and understand what your family is going through as well.    Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org

E126 | Financial Problems Lead to Real Problems

On the farm there is usually a massive disconnect between leadership, and just telling people what to do. When you are telling people what to do you are just managing them, you aren’t teaching, building them, or growing them, like you would if you were leading. Leadership means leading people to become better versions of themselves. It’s important to lead your team members because they will come up against things they weren’t trained for and that you, yourself may not have come up against. Without your leadership, and helping them grow, they’ll just come to you for every issue rather than coming up with a solution themselves. You don’t want every small decision going through you.   Check out the Impact Legacy Farmer is having on the American Farmer here:  www.legacyfarmer.org 

E101 | Interview with Weston Birkeland

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