In farming and in life, success can be defined in nearly endless ways. Purpose, wealth and legacy can all be pieces of the puzzle. Each week, Paul Neiffer visits with a farmer or someone involved in the ag industry on “The Farm CPA Podcast,” brought to you by Top Producer. (Subscribe via Apple podcasts or visit AgWeb.com to listen). Neiffer closes each conversation with, “What is your definition of success in farming?” Here are a few answers from recent guests.
Jimmy Tosh
Tosh Farms, Henry, Tenn.
“I want to be respected in the community, and I want to be respected by my peers. I’m at a point now in my financial life where I want to give back to the community. We’re trying to do that now as a family.
Dave Nelson
Nelson Family Farms, Fort Dodge, Iowa
“No. 1 is relationships, the people you know, how you treat them and your reputation. Second is running our business as a business — not as a hobby or as dad ran it. At the end of the day, your legacy, your family and your kids are more of a testimony to who you are than a balance sheet or a grain leg.”
Ben Riensche
Blue Diamond Farming Company, Jesup, Iowa
“Farming is just something I do to have cash flow to raise my kids. I don’t know what kind of tractors my grandpa farmed with (although I’ve seen photos of him with a two-cylinder John Deere and a new-to-him International). Iron and every latest fad aren’t important to me — making sure my kids get off on the right foot is my primary concern.”
Ron Rabou
Rabou Farms, Albin, Wyo.
“My definition has changed over time. Before, I was successful because I finally could pay my grocery bill. Then success became I could update a tractor, or I landed a land deal. Success to me now is when I can wake up in peace, knowing my family is healthy and knowing I have good people who work for me. I tell my wife all the time if our farm goes away, but we still have God in our life, a free country and each other, we have everything we need. Don’t put the value of who you are as a human being in what you do. Put it in who you are and put your value back in people.”
Roric Paulman
Paulman Farms, Sutherland, Neb.
“At the end of the day, the wealth and business side will fade away. Our goal was the results of our farming activities for the last 37 years don’t drive a wedge between our family. We want our family to still have Christmas and Thanksgiving meals together. That is an absolute cornerstone to our decisions. The rest doesn’t matter because if our family doesn’t get along, we have failed miserably.”
Tim Richter
Saratoga Partnership, Lime Springs, Iowa
“Today, I am happy and content. When my brother was dying of cancer, we had some long talks. He said we surprised a lot of people, and we pissed off a few. I think that’s a pretty good analogy for if you’re successful. I’ve made 1,000 mistakes, and that was just last week, but all my mistakes and successes led me to where I am at today. I would not redo anything, because it might change where I’m at today.”
Kristjan Hebert
Hebert Grain Ventures, Moosomin, Saskatchewan
“Our farm’s legacy statement is: ‘To leave the dirt, financial statements, team members, community and industry in a better state than the last generation.’ I think that fits the bill pretty well.”
