Impact Farming

In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Tracy speaks with Terry Betker about "Transition Planning Forward." As farmers, we tend to put off transition planning for many reasons. Today, we will be discussing the increased urgency for transition planning as we look forward to all the changes that we are likely to see next in the next 30 years. In this episode, Tracy and Terry discuss: Terry sets...

In this segment of Expert's Corner, we speak with Mark Lepp from FarmLink about "The Fundamentals of Grain Marketing." Are you looking to maximize your revenue for the grain that you are already producing? That is precisely what Tracy and Mark speak about in this segment. In this interview, they discuss: What the true definition of grain marketing is. The definition seems to be a little muddy in t...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Michael Langemeier from Purdue University about "Sweat Equity" on the farm. The term sweat equity refers to a person's contribution toward a farm family operation. Sweat equity is generally not monetary and, in most cases, comes in the form of physical labor, mental effort, and time. Sweat equity is commonly found in the family business world, and it is a...

We are excited to be launching a new video series called "Product Spotlight" which is dedicated to featuring innovative products and services that can impact our audience and their farming operation. In today's product spotlight, Tracy speaks to Gavin Betker about their company's innovative farm financial software called Farmcaster. Are you looking for a tool that helps make it much easier for you...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Mark Lepp about all things grain marketing in this episode titled "Redefining Grain Marketing." The definition of grain marketing is a little muddy in the industry. Everyone seems to have their own take on it, so it was our pleasure to chat with Mark in today's episode to take an in-depth look at all things grain marketing. In this episode, Tracy and Mark...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Greg Bartley and Ian Epp about the Keep it Clean initiative. The quality and reputation of Canadian canola, cereals, and pulses are amongst the best in the world, and Canadian growers work hard to produce crops to the highest standard. As Canadian producers, we have an essential role in protecting Canada's reputation as a trusted supplier and maintaining a...

For this week's episode of The Impact Farming Show, we have gone back into the episode vault to feature this second part in relation to last week's episode that Tracy and Elaine recorded on Transition Planning. It's a perfect addition to our current transition planning series, so we wanted to re-broadcast it for our audience. Don't miss this one… In this week's episode, "Transition Planning Secret...

For this week's episode of The Impact Farming Show, we are going back into the episode vault to feature this powerful episode that Tracy and Elaine recorded on Transition Planning. It's just perfect for our current transition planning series, so we wanted to re-broadcast it for our audience. Don't miss this one… In this week's episode, "Transition Planning Secrets of Success for Founders," Tracy i...

In this very first segment of Expert's Corner we speak with Mark Lepp from FarmLink about "The Future of Grain Marketing." Crop inputs and farm equipment have progressed wildly in the last 20 years, but grain marketing has stayed pretty much the same. Until now, that is… Mark Lepp joins us today to share more about how FarmLink is revolutionizing grain marketing using advanced and timely technolog...

In this week's episode, we speak with Ken Keis about the secrets to better understanding yourself and others in this episode titled "Why Aren't You More Like Me?" Have you ever looked at a family member and wondered who are you? How are we even related? If so, this episode is for you. In our interview together, Ken and I chat about gaining self-awareness and better understanding others to experien...

In this week's episode we are speaking with Kelly Dobson about "Building The Next Generation of Farm Leaders." In this episode, Tracy and Kelly chat about: The idea of having a more deliberate and intentional way of mentoring and bringing the next generation into or back to the farming operation Kelly shares what the most successful farms are doing to onboard the next generation. He outlines some...

In this week's episode, we will be speaking to Annessa Good and Merle Good about "Estate Planning," in part two of our conversation on Farm Transition. Did you catch last week's episode? Part two picks up where we left off last week, so we highly encourage our audience to tune into that episode first and then return here for part two of this conversation. While the term "Estate Planning" sounds hi...

In this week's episode, we will be speaking to Annessa Good and Merle Good in the first of a two-part episode about Farm Transition. Merle is a Farm Business Management Consultant and has been working with farm families for decades. Annessa is a Farm Transition Advisor with Farm Credit Canada. We are excited to have this dynamic duo on the show this week because, as father and daughter, their uniq...

In this week's episode, we speak to Patti Durand about advice for the second generation in this episode titled "I've Got My Foot In The Door… Now What?" As a Farm Credit Canada Business Advisor for Transition, Patti works with many farm families to assist them in transferring the farm from the founders to the junior partners. In this work, they see many trends and patterns, and Patti is excited to...

In this week's episode, we speak to Art Lange about "The Underlying Issues" regarding transition planning. Are you ready for some real talk about why transition fails to get started? If so, you are in the right place. More often than not, it's not things like taxes and wills that cause the senior generation to stall and avoid the subject. It's rarely that. It's often all the stuff that we don't wa...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with Terry Betker about "Creating A Vision For Management," as a critical part of the transition planning process. Terry Betker is President & CEO of Backswath Management, and he has been helping farm families with transition planning for well over 20 years now. In this week's episode, he joins Tracy on The Impact Farming Show to share a growing concern that he...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Gerry Friesen about "When Conflict Happens". Conflicts and misunderstandings often exist in families and can be the family businesses' greatest enemy if not handled correctly. Managing conflict is key to the survival of the business and family harmony. In this episode, Tracy and Gerry speak about: What conflict is and how not all conflict is actually bad. Co...

In this week's episode, we are re-broadcasting a special show in which Tracy sits down with both Brent VanParys and Elaine Froese to discuss the tough questions on Farm Transitions.  In this episode, Tracy asks Brent and Elaine some of the toughest questions on farm transition: Who gets the Farm? What are farm participation policies? Are you actually qualified to takeover the family farm? Join us...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Brent VanParys about "How To Transition Plan". As farmers, we all know that we should have a transition plan in place; however, once we move past our fears and concerns for the majority, it's still unclear how to proceed. So, how exactly does a farm family start, create, and implement a transition plan? If you have ever asked this question and found yourself...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Elaine Froese about "The Role of a Farm Family Coach". Have you ever heard the term coach and wonder just what exactly the benefits of hiring a coach are? If so, this episode is for you. Elaine Froese is known as "Canada's Farm Whisper" and has worked as a farm family coach for decades. In today's episode, Tracy and Elaine chat about: What exactly a farm coa...

In this week's episode, we are recalling episode 54. Tracy sits down with Elaine Froese to discuss "Finding Fairness in Farm Transition". Elaine states how farm transitions needs to be a change in our language and our mindset. She relates the transition to a tsunami as there is procrastination, conflict and avoidance. Most often these conversations are avoided until absolutely necessary and Elaine...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Tom Field, Professor at The University Nebraska-Lincoln, about a paradigm-shifting concept called "Re-Imagine Going Back to The Farm". Have you heard of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program? It is an innovative program at UNL that teaches agriculture students entrepreneurial skills and mindset. Through this program, many great entrepreneurs and b...

In this week's episode, we speak to Michael Langemeier, Purdue University Professor, about the "Feasibility of Going Back to The Farm". In business, it is a commonplace activity to perform a feasibility study before buying or expanding a business to allow a family member to join. In today's interview, we discuss exactly that. While there are many ratios and calculations to perform to help answer t...

In this week's episode, we speak to Elaine Froese, Farm Family Coach, about "Family Roles on The Farm". To be successful in a family business, defining each family member's roles and responsibilities is crucial in creating a culture of professionalism, personal responsibility, and accountability. While the principle is clear, the practice is sometimes harder to implement. In this week's interview,...

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks with three great guests about their upcoming virtual seminar titled "Managing Through The Storm". Seminar Overview Managing the family business, as well as the family and business relationships can feel like navigating through a storm. If this describes how you feel at times, you're not alone. Are you experiencing a strain on cash flow due to weather, lower com...