Farm Financial Strategies, Inc.

02/03/2022

https://www.agupdate.com/iowafarmertoday/opinion/columnists/farm_transition/decide-what-is-fair-and-divide-it-equally/article_746db934-731f-11ec-9868-b301ced8fc85.html

Everyone in agriculture knows about “fair” and “equal.” These are two simple words heard at each conference, planning meeting and family discussion about farm transition.

12/18/2021

Hunting, fishing and loving everyday

01/24/2021

https://www.agupdate.com/iowafarmertoday/opinion/columnists/farm_transition/who-packs-your-farm-transition-parachute/article_8e57fbca-5a89-11eb-8710-3b64eb58d282.html

The very first column I ever wrote was about a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot who was shot down over Vietnam at age 24. After 75 combat missions, Captain Charles

12/29/2019

Consider the difference between an entrance strategy and an exit strategy in farm transition.

An exit strategy is a planned approach to terminating an effort in a way that will maximize benefit and minimize damage. Webster’s defines an exit strategy as “a plan for

11/09/2019

08/18/2019

06/01/2019

All states and the federal government need to do the same thing.

Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed a bill to ensure that laboratory-grown meat substitutes are not sold to Alabama consumers labeled as “meat.” House Bill 518 was sponsored by State Representative Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and carried in

05/30/2019

I want to share the story of this picture. It was taken over the Memorial Day weekend while I sat beside my husband in the chopper. We were pushing to get first cut done before the rain and it was going to be a long night. I was riding with him because he is tired... and I don’t mean sleepy. I mean mentally and emotionally exhausted. He needed my chatter and enthusiasm to help him push through. Why am I sharing this? For many reasons but mainly because I want someone to read this post and remember that there are people behind the food that you serve on your table. This time of year is usually our busiest- corn planting and grass cutting happen at the same time. Most years it is an exciting time and everyone is bursting with energy. Spring is always about renewal. But this year, at our farm and many others across the nation, the hardships of the last 4 years are weighing down the hope of a new season. Our industry has seen unprecedented financial losses and so many farms exiting the business. And these farms are solid farms, farms you never imagined closing the barn doors, saying “We just can’t anymore”. Then there is the weather. We talk about this being a wet spring... but friends, it was a wet fall last year too. Fall field work got pushed off because of too much water and now spring has not brought any relief. This will bring even more hardship as crops aren’t grown or are poor quality. And yet I watch my family and the other farm families I know push on. They literally find the bright spot and rush to plant corn, mow hay, fertilize ground. They push through the dark, their eyes straining to follow the edge of a field. They smile at a small accomplishment, each of us knowing that the corn and the hay represent our future hope for our businesses. We do this because we believe in our industry, in agriculture in general in this country. We want to make healthy, safe products for our family and yours. So tonight as you snuggle in your bed, know that somewhere there is a farmer (and their loyal, dedicated employees), working through the night, and they would be grateful for your prayers and support.