Latest News From Succession Planning

This 87-Year-Old's Powerful Business Sense Helped Create a Booming Meat Processing Business in Iowa
This 87-Year-Old's Powerful Business Sense Helped Create a Booming Meat Processing Business in Iowa

Edgewood Locker got its start in rural northeast Iowa in 1966. The business now spans over three generations, and it's largely thanks to Joan Kerns who helped start the family business that's now seen phenomenal growth.

Next-Gen Spotlight: Illinois Siblings Capitalize On Their Location to Expand Their Farm Revenue
Next-Gen Spotlight: Illinois Siblings Capitalize On Their Location to Expand Their Farm Revenue

Wayne Gehrke and Carolyn Brummel share how they diversified beyond corn and soybeans and made the most of what they already had so they both could farm full time.

How Diversification Can Help Minority Farmers Thrive: Q&A with Ricky Dollison
How Diversification Can Help Minority Farmers Thrive: Q&A with Ricky Dollison

“As a young person, if you’re not going to be proud of what you do, don’t waste your time," he advises. "Be proud of what you do, and everywhere you go, be excited about it and talk about it.”

Meet 87-Year-Old Joan Kerns, A True Trailblazer Who Helped Carve Out A Niche For Her Family Nearly 60 Years Ago
Meet 87-Year-Old Joan Kerns, A True Trailblazer Who Helped Carve Out A Niche For Her Family Nearly 60 Years Ago

Edgewood Locker got its start in rural northeast Iowa in 1966. The business now spans over three generations, and it's largely thanks to Joan Kerns who helped start the family business that's now seen phenomenal growth.

Leaders in Ag: Rena Striegel Shares Her Thoughts on Leading With Intention
Leaders in Ag: Rena Striegel Shares Her Thoughts on Leading With Intention

Are leaders made or born? “Some people are more naturally disposed to being leaders, but it doesn’t mean they’re good at it. To be a really good leader, you're made into one through intention and exposure," she says.

Next-Gen Spotlight: Lindsay Baneck Is In the Business of Selling Memories
Next-Gen Spotlight: Lindsay Baneck Is In the Business of Selling Memories

In addition to traditional row crops and cattle, Lindsay Baneck operates a direct-to-consumer produce business in Wisconsin. These days, her goals are geared toward success and sustainability.

2024 Top Producer of the Year Finalist Kelly Garrett: Playing The Infinite Game
2024 Top Producer of the Year Finalist Kelly Garrett: Playing The Infinite Game

A farmer and cattle producer in western Iowa, Kelly Garrett’s operation continues to conquer change.

Watch the 2024 Top Producer Awards Banquet
Watch the 2024 Top Producer Awards Banquet

If you weren't able to attend Top Producer Summit in Kansas City, you can still watch the awards banquet.

2024 Top Producer Women In Ag Award: Demand Creation Is Not A Spectator Sport
2024 Top Producer Women In Ag Award: Demand Creation Is Not A Spectator Sport

As a sixth generation Iowa farmer, Pam Johnson has been sharing agriculture’s food, fiber and fuel stories her entire life.

4 Ways To Take Control Of Your Succession Plan: Top Producer Summit Pre-Conference Workshop
4 Ways To Take Control Of Your Succession Plan: Top Producer Summit Pre-Conference Workshop

Use the topics and tools included in The DIRTT Project to jump-start the succession planning process for your operation whether you are just beginning or need to get on track.

Leaders in Ag: R.G. Lamar, Pecan Farmer and CEO
Leaders in Ag: R.G. Lamar, Pecan Farmer and CEO

What’s the most challenging thing about running a legacy brand? “The biggest challenge is being pigeonholed. Everyone expects us to recreate the past, but the future doesn’t look like what we were," Lamar says.

The World's Largest Hat Collection You Have to See to Believe
The World's Largest Hat Collection You Have to See to Believe

Wearing a different hat every day, it would take 319 years to get through Scott Legried's collection.

3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024
3 Leadership Trends You Need to Adopt in 2024

For long-term success, farm leaders should regularly assess the landscape of their operation and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The End of an Era: John Phipps Announces His Retirement
The End of an Era: John Phipps Announces His Retirement

After almost 19 years and about 1,500 commentaries, John Phipps announced he's retiring from U.S. Farm Report. In his final regular Customer Support segment, he calls it an adventure that's been a gift from viewers.

Focus On Making Your Succession Plan Fair, Not Equal
Focus On Making Your Succession Plan Fair, Not Equal

According to Shuring, what may be considered equal doesn’t always make sense when the succession plan involves family members who actively work on the farm, and others who do not.

America’s Premier Farmers and Ranchers to Gather at  2024 Top Producer Summit in Kansas City
America’s Premier Farmers and Ranchers to Gather at 2024 Top Producer Summit in Kansas City

Producers From Arkansas, Iowa and South Dakota Named Finalists for Prestigious Top Producer of the Year Award.

Prevent Quitting: Keep Employees Top of Mind in 2024
Prevent Quitting: Keep Employees Top of Mind in 2024

These 10 steps can help keep your employees from walking away.

Tell Us: What's Your Top Priority to Improve Next Year?
Tell Us: What's Your Top Priority to Improve Next Year?

Harvest is wrapping up, and the New Year is on the near horizon.

Succession Planning: Why Now?
Succession Planning: Why Now?

Rena Striegel's workshop at the upcoming Top Producer Summit will leave attendees with four main takeaways.

Overcome Family Dysfunction with the 3 C’s
Overcome Family Dysfunction with the 3 C’s

Succession planning can be a complex and emotionally charged process. Achieving consensus among family members, committing to the plan and understanding potential consequences are vital to secure the future of the farm.

The Best Halloween Costumes Tie Back to the Farm
The Best Halloween Costumes Tie Back to the Farm

Maybe it’s because I’m a farm kid at heart, but I think the best Halloween costume ideas come straight from the farm. And I'm not the only one on our team here at Farm Journal who feels that way.

At Just 22 Years Old, She's a Farmhand Who's Found Social Media Success In a Remarkable Way
At Just 22 Years Old, She's a Farmhand Who's Found Social Media Success In a Remarkable Way

At 22 years old, Emma decided the college life wasn't for her. She dropped out and decided to become a farmhand. With each adventure comes lessons she shares on her "Ag With Emma" social media accounts.

Leading With Kindness and Courage, Annette Ostrom's Dairy Legacy Will Now Live On at World Dairy Expo
Leading With Kindness and Courage, Annette Ostrom's Dairy Legacy Will Now Live On at World Dairy Expo

Annette Ostrom's legacy will continue to live on at World Dairy Expo by celebrating the show's youth, the future leaders of the dairy industry.

Are Women on Track to Become the Majority in Agriculture?
Are Women on Track to Become the Majority in Agriculture?

New veterinarians are overwhelmingly women, and technology is helping entice more female farmers. Are women on track to become the majority in agriculture? John Phipps provides his thoughts in Customer Support.

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Innovative Immigration Solutions Can Diversify Your Farm Team

If your available labor pool seems to be getting more shallow, Rachel Beardsley, partner at Fragomen, an immigration law firm, says ag business managers can think more creatively.

A New Option for Farmland Legacy Planning
A New Option for Farmland Legacy Planning

Legacy Farmland Trust offers landowners a way to preserve and protect their assets for generations to come.

leader_farmers_leadership
Become a More Anticipatory Leader

“There are some things that we've adopted over the years that really aren't particularly useful and I think in some cases even detrimental to our performance,” says Dave Mitchell.

Single Best Tool To Predict Peak Performance
Single Best Tool To Predict Peak Performance

What if there was one tool to focus on using to achieve the best recruitment and retention?

Vision Meets Fortitude In This Next Gen Cattleman
Vision Meets Fortitude In This Next Gen Cattleman

Grounded by his family but propelled by vision, Trey Wasserburger is the energetic force behind creating more processing capacity for local cattle producers.

Saying Adios to Corporate Career, How Mary Pat Sass' Leap of Faith is Now Inspiring Others Through Social Media
Saying Adios to Corporate Career, How Mary Pat Sass' Leap of Faith is Now Inspiring Others Through Social Media

As Mary Pat Sass’ social media shows glimpses of life from the seat of the tractor, it’s not the view she envisioned for her life even a decade ago. But through humor and candor, she's now an inspiration to others.

Want a Slice of Nostalgia? Try Road Tripping to Andy Griffith's Real Hometown Now Known as Mayberry
Want a Slice of Nostalgia? Try Road Tripping to Andy Griffith's Real Hometown Now Known as Mayberry

Andy Griffith actually grew up in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but many people refer to it as Mayberry. Today, visiting the North Carolina town is like stepping onto the TV set decades ago.

5 Traits All Great Farm Leaders Should Possess
5 Traits All Great Farm Leaders Should Possess

To boost employee retention, farms need leaders who can effectively inspire and guide others. The job often requires its leaders to possess a handful of characteristics not necessarily used on other areas of the farm.

5 Farmers Share Advice to Their Younger Selves
5 Farmers Share Advice to Their Younger Selves

Plenty of farmers started young, worked hard and found a path forward. Along the way, they learned from mistakes and celebrated successes. Farming is hard, but here's why those who have taken the road say it's worth it.

From Father to Daughter: At Just 26 Years Old, Zoe Kent Took the Reins of Her Family's Farm
From Father to Daughter: At Just 26 Years Old, Zoe Kent Took the Reins of Her Family's Farm

At 28, Zoe Kent is the owner and operator of Kent Farms in Ohio. As the eighth generation, she feels a responsibility to continue the family's legacy. The transition happened sooner than she or her father planned.

3 Farmers Under 30 Hustle to Live Out Their Dreams
3 Farmers Under 30 Hustle to Live Out Their Dreams

Three under-30 producers from Illinois, Ohio and Mississippi sound off on the struggles, pressures and hopes of farming’s next generation.

Just How Bad Can a Farm Transition Go? 4 Lessons Learned
Just How Bad Can a Farm Transition Go? 4 Lessons Learned

Ron Rabou spent the first 26 years of his life expecting to return to his family ranch. When his dad passed and it came time to transition the farm, negotiations weren’t as easy as he imagined. Here's what he learned.

Want to Grow Your Farm? Ask These 10 Questions First
Want to Grow Your Farm? Ask These 10 Questions First

More than 50% of farmers intend to grow their operation, based on responses in Purdue’s February 2023 Ag Economy Barometer. If you’re thinking about scaling your farm, it’s important to first ask these questions.

Who Should You Hire?
Who Should You Hire?

Screen potential employees for these qualities.

John Phipps: The Road Less Traveled
John Phipps: The Road Less Traveled

As residences in my area turn into stony, weedy spots in cornfields, traffic has slowed to a trickle, making a car passing a pretty big event.

Stamp Out Entitlement: Develop Ownership Criteria For Your Farm
Stamp Out Entitlement: Develop Ownership Criteria For Your Farm

As you look at transitioning leadership and ownership of your farm to the next generation, be ready to tackle entitlement issues. 

How One North Carolina Family Turned an Old Tobacco Farm into a Blooming AgriTourism Business
How One North Carolina Family Turned an Old Tobacco Farm into a Blooming AgriTourism Business

Art Johnson’s farm has been in the family for nearly a century. What was once a tobacco farm in Kernersville, NC, is now a thriving agritourism business that attracts up to 1,000 people each day during the spring.

Nominate Outstanding Farmers for Awards from Top Producer
Nominate Outstanding Farmers for Awards from Top Producer

During the 2024 Top Producer Summit, Top Producer will recognize remarkable farmers who have taken risks, built thriving businesses and given back to their communities. 

John Phipps: A Paradigm Lost Due to New Life Patterns
John Phipps: A Paradigm Lost Due to New Life Patterns

Our efforts to make our farms ongoing businesses and family legacies will have fewer schedules to emulate.

Preventative Maintenance for Your People: How to Reduce Turnover and Boost Morale
Preventative Maintenance for Your People: How to Reduce Turnover and Boost Morale

Follow this strategy to reduce turnover and increase morale on your farm team.

Take Time to Celebrate Accomplishments
Take Time to Celebrate Accomplishments

Life lessons for everyone in our great industry.

What Is Your Definition Of Success In Farming?
What Is Your Definition Of Success In Farming?

In farming and in life, success can be defined in endless ways. Five farmers share their perspective.

For the Love of the Game, How Agriculture Helped Birth the Game of Basketball
For the Love of the Game, How Agriculture Helped Birth the Game of Basketball

It may not seem like basketball has a strong connection to agriculture, but from the balls used in the NBA, to the sport itself, agriculture has direct ties to a sport that takes over televisions during March Madness.

Do I Need A Trust?
Do I Need A Trust?

Here’s what farmers should consider with this sometimes complex question.

A Young Farmer’s Advice on Succession Planning
A Young Farmer’s Advice on Succession Planning

As a young Nebraska farmer, Maggie Holub is in a league of her own. She has a complete, but flexible, succession plan — in writing.

John Phipps: Is There a Shortage of Young Farmers?
John Phipps: Is There a Shortage of Young Farmers?

As farm shows and meetings portray a crowd that seems to be aging, is there a shortage of young farmers threatening the future of ag? John Phipps explains why an abundance of young farmers may not be on the farm today.