When a South Dakota farmer wanted to return home, putting up his own nursery barn was the avenue that helped him be his own boss and continue as the fourth generation pork producer in his family.
Communication between one generation to another can seem like talking a different language. “I suggest you approach looking at another generation with curiosity rather than judgment,” says Kim Lear of Inlay Insights.
The good news is there are legal devices to do whatever a farmer wants to do. The key is using the right mechanisms for the relationship piece.
There’s a serious lack of communication between generations, and procrastination and conflict avoidance are killing agriculture, says Elaine Froese, a farm family transition expert.
Erin Mies and Kristen Ireland of People Spark Consulting offer insights on how to create process and equip people.
When raised by farmers, our earliest lessons in leadership, stewardship and life in general occur with the rhythms of the seasons. It turns out, even in a season of loss the learning continues.
How are you showing up on the farm? Do your actions meet up with your goals? Rena Striegel, a farm succession planning consultant, encourages the next generation of on-farm leaders to do some self-reflection.
“If handled improperly, transition events can be the death of your business. Or it can strengthen your business and clearly outline who you are and where you want to go,” says Dick Wittman.
Formulating your farm’s succession plan is likely not a straight line. Polly Dobbs, an Indiana attorney who is part of a seven-generation farm family, says it’s important to stay focused on your end goals.
The clock is ticking — and the current estate-tax exemption is set to plummet at the end of 2025. The smaller exemption coupled with inflation and land values likely means increased assets and estate-tax rates.
We asked previous awardees of the Top Producer Next Gen Award to reflect on lessons they’ve experienced in business and management.
“Proving you can do the small things well makes you that much more ready to take on the big things.” World Pork Expo was not only buzzing with pig farmers, it was also full of interns exploring the pork industry.
Challenge accepted. Eight college students from across the country will gather at the World Pork Expo for their first meeting to foster the next generation of leaders in the swine industry.
“This is how we’ve always done it.” This is just one of the many excuses Nate Huntley hears about why farmers are skeptical about cover crops, trying new manure application or lowering carbon emissions.
Wild, unconventional, early adopters. It’s not uncommon for Nate Huntley or Josh Nelson to turn a few heads in Wright County, Iowa.
The first 10 days were hell, says Kyle Baade, a Nebraska pork producer. After that, if a visitor showed up, he says they would have no idea the farm had any issues. Here’s his PRRS story and how it changed his life.
Unclear. That’s how Heidi Vittetoe, co-owner of JWV Pork in Washington, Iowa, would describe her outlook on the pork industry. Three pig farmers get honest about the pork outlook and what’s ahead.
A family operation that has stood the test of time, pivoting and leveraging resources along the way, “This’ll Do Farm” operated by father-son duo, Tork and Sawyer, has a story worth sharing.
As this week’s Farmer Feature, a wife, mother and boots-on-the-ground co-owner of a swine nursery operation, Heidi Flory, shares how she contributes to the pork industry both on and off the stage.
From a pig veterinarian to a social media superstar, Cara Haden, DVM, shares her rise to TikTok stardom and the purpose behind it all.
A third-generation pig farmer, running coast-to-coast chasing dreams and supporting kids, Jesse Heimer of Heimer Hampshires, is proof that hard work, determination and passion can lead to great success.
If there’s one thing Jesse Heimer took away from his Pork Leadership Institute experience, it’s that as a pork producer, he needs to better understand what’s going on at the grocery store. But that’s not all.
Lexi Ammann says she would not be where she is today without the opportunity she had to show a pig. It sparked a passion and drive to pursue a future in the commercial swine industry.
While Ohio pig farmers Phillip Hord and Jessica Campbell’s operations may look different, driving demand is where their paths intersect. By bringing a new flavor to the farm, the producers are also driving pork demand.
Summer Doty hasn’t saved anyone from a burning building or led an army into battle. She hasn’t jumped into the path of an oncoming train. Still, the work she does at Islercrest Farms is proof not all heroes wear capes.
When Cameron Swallows heard his sister crying, he knew he had a big problem to solve.
It’s a bond that’s hard to put into words. Not only do these four young leaders share an unmistakable connection and friendship that ties directly to purpose, but they have a way of selflessly putting each other first.
People are looking for authenticity. That’s why influencers such as Eddie Zamora, the Yum Yum Foodie, and Ashley Sampson of Life With Ashley Ann are drawing droves of peopled to their social media platforms every day.
With a slogan of “raised, not sourced,” Tim Haer had a wild idea to differentiate their business: create a vending machine to sell meat produced on their family’s farm, an idea he says that’s been wildly successful.