Every generation will either lose a farm legacy or strengthen it. There often isn’t a middle ground. When we think of dairy legacies, we think of cattle and barns, but really, we admire dairy families. Every family will have a next generation, and we owe it to them to put them on the best possible footing. It's their future but your legacy.

Normalizing the fact that there will be tensions and taking the time to consider your farm’s tensions can set the farm on the path to a more resilient succession plan. This article discusses strategies for a smoother succession process.

Every farm family has a story, and I have had the joy of spending two days with 380 Nebraska women in agriculture at their 40th conference. In her session, Katie Samples Dean, a very direct and farm-owner lawyer, suggested that many plans for succession and transition are foiled or are the wrong plan because Grandma did or does not understand the consequences of her decision-making.

We all know that communication is important, especially for healthy relationships, scaling up and a successful transition plan. With that said, why can it be so tough to communicate consistently? This article explores five reasons we avoid difficult conversations and how to improve overall communication. 

The Appreciative Inquiry process has challenged our approach to problem-solving. How could focusing on the positive elements of our family business resolve conflicts? It sounds contradictory, doesn't it?