Thanks for tuning in to the Mind Your Farm Business podcast! In this episode, host Shaun Haney is joined by Ursina Studhalter, chartered professional accountant, author of Farming Frontiers substack, and sheep farmer, for a practical conversation on the not-so-glamorous — but absolutely essential — task of farm bookkeeping. From managing receipts to choosing accounting... Read More

If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, putting out fires, juggling cash flow and reacting to problems instead of steering your farm, this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast is for you. Host Shaun Haney welcomes Saskatchewan farmer and business coach Josh Kerpan to unpack how producers can transition from overwhelmed operators... Read More

When the going is good, it’s tempting to focus on growth and measure success by the size of your acreage. But is bigger always better? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney is joined by Dean Klippenstine of MNP for a conversation that challenges the thinking that bigger is... Read More

On this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney is joined by Chris Hardwick, entrepreneur, adventurer, and leadership coach, for a candid discussion about the psychology behind decision-making on the farm, especially when fear, risk, and ego collide. Hardwick blends life experience with business lessons to help farmers and business owners... Read More

? Whether you’re pricing inputs, closing a land deal, or hiring custom work, negotiation is woven into the fabric of farm business decisions. But too often, it’s done on the fly—with vague goals and little planning. In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by Mark Raffan of Negotiations... Read More

In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by estate planning expert and bestselling author Dr. Tom Deans to discuss why avoiding conversations about succession, wills, and wealth can lead to disastrous consequences for farm families. Deans, author of Every Family’s Business, Willing Wisdom, and The Happy Inheritor, shares... Read More

What does it really mean to “scale” a farm business? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Shaun Haney is joined by Evan Shout, president of Maverick Ag and co-founder of Farmer Coach, to explore the many shapes growth can take and discuss why more land isn’t always the answer. From managing... Read More

In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney sits down with Ted Oakley, managing partner of Oxbow Advisors and author of Second Generation Wealth, to discuss the critical topic of passing down wealth and responsibility in farm families. Ted draws from decades of experience helping families manage major liquidity events... Read More

What makes a good farmer a great one? In this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney digs into that question with Margy Eckelkamp of Top Producer at Farm Journal. From battling through the 1980s farm crisis to navigating today’s economic curveballs, Eckelkamp shares how the most successful farm operators think... Read More

Farm transition and succession planning are two of the most avoided yet critical discussions for family farms. In this candid and solution-focused episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host Shaun Haney welcomes back renowned farm family coach and author Elaine Froese to break down the roots of procrastination and explore how to move... Read More

People have been using handshakes to solidify deals since at least as far back as ancient Roman times. A handshake in those days would show that each person was unarmed, thereby establishing a relationship of honesty and trust. Fast forward to today with the progression of law and contracts, a need for more formalized agreements… Read More

From identify theft, to phishing scams, to data breaches and ransom wear, cyber threats are just as real to individual farmers and farm businesses as they are to the general public. Understanding where online and digital threats come from is key to building a solid risk management plan, says Eugene Ng, cyber security expert with… Read More

You’ve got to name it to tame it. What does that mean when it comes to how we manage in high-stress situations? In this second half of the conversation on burnout and managing stress, author and mental health advocate Dr. Jessica Metcalfe walks listeners through how to address burnout and anxiety on a daily basis… Read More

Farming is a high-stress profession that sees many participants shouldering heavy loads of worry and anxiety that can lead to burnout. Author and mental health advocate Dr. Jessica Metcalfe says it’s important for farmers and ranchers to recognize these conditions and take proactive steps to ensure the weight of agriculture doesn’t overwhelm their business and… Read More

In an agricultural context, AI has typically meant making sure animals are bred without needing a bull or ram around. But that’s changing, as artificial intelligence is applied in more areas. Doug Foley, president of Giant Goat, says the data management aspect of AI is already a large part of much of the digital tools… Read More

Imagine a game of telephone, where someone shares a phrase with the person next to them and they whisper it to the person next to them and so on until at the end of the line of people, the last person shares what they think they heard. More times than not, something is lost in… Read More

Becoming an effective leader of any team begins with first taking charge of yourself. Leadership of self, says Mark Gasparotto, is a necessary step before being truly ready and able to lead others, whether on the farm or elsewhere in life. Gasparotto, founder of The Gasparotto Group and former Canadian military commander, says potential leaders... Read More

In agriculture, we love to hate on acronyms and buzzwords, but like many things that become a daily part of our lives, some words — and the topic they represent — are worth getting past the initial dislike and really diving in to what a particular idea or topic could mean for the farm business…. Read More

Did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? For many, their career arc is not necessarily what they planned. Many who start in one field discover and become fascinated with another. Others identify opportunities and switch gears accordingly. Some people just fall in to a job they love. When deciding… Read More

You can't take it with you. In this case, the "it" is the farm, and if you're putting off transitioning the farm to a new owner or manager, you might be missing out on a huge opportunity to mentor and continue the success of the legacy you've built. The trouble is, most of us operate... Read More