Keep The Farm Running Using Clear Communication

CLINTON, MO.

   Communication is the key to unlock all sorts of life's mysteries.   Babies learn to communicate so they can tell us what they think. Friends communicate with each other for enjoyment. Teachers communicate knowledge to their students. Why do farmers communicate together? They communicate to help each other out, to learn, and because it is vital to keeping the farm going.

   Farmers Helping Farmers

   We don't live in a vacuum, and we don't farm in one either. We have neighbors, we have family, and we have employees all ready to pitch in when help is needed. Think back to the old barn-raisings, where farmers and their families had a big party to raise a new barn for a neighbor in one day. This wouldn't have happened without somebody going around and spreading the news that the barn-raising would be on such-and-such a day. The same principle applies on today's farms. People won't know to help unless communication gets around that help is needed.

   Farmer Education

   These days a farmer could have a college degree or a high school diploma. He could be the type to attend farming seminars and field days. Maybe a farm wife enjoys reading the ag papers for new tips. Farmers have many ways to learn more about their chosen lifestyle. Farming communication abounds thanks to technology and higher education. But what might be the best communication for a new farmer?  When a new farmer sits down with a more seasoned farmer over a cup of coffee, he can soak up the knowledge which comes from hard-earned experience.

   Communication Within the Farm

So far we've mentioned communication from farm to farm, but communication on the farm needs to be clear, too. Large farms benefit from all the human resource skills that a large city operation might have. Instructions between employer and employee have to be well-said or some of the farming operations may go awry. Conversations from farm father to farm son should be positive and carefully thought out, so the farm son has every chance to be welcomed into the family farm business someday. Even if the farm is small and consists of a husband and wife, those important conversations about bills and who gets paid this month need to happen so the financial aspect of the farm remains stable.

   If you are having trouble finding the words to talk about the future of your family farm, please contact us. We can help you keep the family in your family farm! ∆

   AgriLegacy, “Keeping the Farm in the Family”, www.agrilegacy.com