Communication Calms Chaos

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Many farmers and ranchers find communication a stumbling block to preparing the business for growth and longevity, especially when transitioning family members into the operation, estate planning, or even giving consideration to diversification with new enterprises for the operation. The Keep Farmers Farming Legacy Team can assist ag families plan for the future by facilitating communication for greater clarity.

Keep Farmers Farming legacy consultant, Shannon Kubik shares, “I think within farming and ranching specifically in agriculture, there's a lot of things that we can't control, the weather, the markets, all of that. But what we can't control is how we communicate with each other. And it's not just talking. A lot of the time that's listening and understanding what everybody is saying and getting on the same page to move forward.”

The lack of communication can hold businesses back and create misunderstandings. Kubik explains Communication doesn't always mean talking, as there are different styles of dialogue.

“At Keep Farmers Farming, we use tools to help people identify who they are, how they communicate, and then we can ultimately get to an understanding within the operation that then we can move forward with.”

It all starts with a cup of coffee and listening as Keep Farmers Farming Legacy Consultants get to know the family and discover their vision for the future. Keep Farmers Farming can walk with farm and ranch families, facilitating their discussions and supporting their efforts for clarity. Communication is essential for all businesses, no matter the size, but communication within families is often essential for farms and ranches preparing for the next chapter.

Keep Farmers Farming is a division of the South Dakota Ag Foundation.

Taken from Shannon Kubik’s interview with Pam Geppert of Dakota Farm Talk.