In this episode, I sit down with Amber Meyer, Certified Financial Planner with TruStone Wealth Management, for an eye-opening conversation about how financial realities and family expectations shape the success (or the struggle) of farm transitions. Amber brings years of firsthand experience helping multigenerational farm families align money, mindset, and legacy. Together, we explore the biggest hurdles keeping families from "getting to the table," from unspoken assumptions and generational gaps to the tough math of cash flow, living expenses, and retirement readiness. Amber explains why clear communication, realistic asset valuations, and early planning are essential to keeping both the business and the family intact. We also talk about creative ways to make transitions viable—from custom work and diversified income streams to using tools like trusts and lifetime transfers to balance fairness with financial sense. If you've ever wondered how to start these conversations or how to keep them from derailing, this episode will help you see that peace and profitability can go hand in hand when families commit to transparency, teamwork, and communication. Access the full show notes for this episode at elainefroese.com Discover more about our guest: Amber Meyer, CFP APMA Elaine Froese Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube. SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event COACHING - find your Farm Transition Coach MEMBERSHIP - Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist RESOURCES - download for FREE CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches Timestamps 0:01:55 - Amber's background growing up on a farm in North Dakota 0:04:34 - Discussion of generational gaps in farming 0:08:34 - Financial inventory and assessing farm viability 0:11:53 - Advice on saving and investing for young farmers 0:17:06 - Importance of wills and estate planning 0:21:37 - Setting realistic land and asset valuations 0:24:04 - Fee structure for financial advisors 0:28:58 - Who typically drives the farm transition process 0:33:56 - Key advice: Communicate, communicate, communicate
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54: Financial Wisdom for Young Farmers
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David M. Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management, for a conversation about what it really takes for young farmers to build strong, lasting farm businesses. We discuss why transition is not just a handoff but a transformative process that requires transparency, honest financial assessments, and the courage to face tough realities head-on. Dr. Kohl explains why starting with a clear resource assessment matters, how cash flow planning shapes long-term success, and why written goals act as a compass when the road gets messy. This episode offers young farmers, founders, and successors alike practical wisdom, fresh perspective, and encouragement to move from uncertainty to clarity — and to see transition not as a burden, but as an opportunity to strengthen both the farm and the family behind it. Access the full show notes for this episode at elainefroese.com. Discover more about our guest: Dr. David M. Kohl Elaine Froese Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube. SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event COACHING - find your Farm Transition Coach MEMBERSHIP - Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist RESOURCES - download for FREE CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches Timestamps 0:04:40 - Discussion on farm succession 0:05:30 - Resource assessment for family business transition 0:06:55 - Importance of understanding true profitability through accrual adjustments 0:11:24 - Advice on debt servicing and working with lenders 0:14:59 - Land buying strategies for young farmers 0:18:29 - Importance of goal setting and using a facilitator 0:22:16 - Skill assessment and developing mini business plans 0:24:17 - Warren Buffett's advice on behavioral success 0:28:35 - Discussing family living arrangements and budgets 0:33:08 - The five key points for successful farm transition
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53: Grumpy Farm Men... Andropause?
In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Lounsbury, Certified Lifestyle, Wellness, & Menopause Coach, to talk about a topic most people haven't even heard of: andropause. We've all heard of menopause, but men experience a similar transition as testosterone levels decline with age. For farmers, this can show up in subtle but significant ways: lower energy, mood changes, or shifts in stamina that affect not just work in the field, but also relationships at home. Lisa helps us understand how to recognize the difference between "just getting older" and the signs of andropause, why grumpiness often has a deeper root, and how ignoring these symptoms can quietly erode both health and harmony on the farm. Together, we explore practical ways to manage these changes, from diet and resistance training to stress management and better sleep. Lisa also shares why making wellness a priority is not only about personal vitality, but about protecting relationships, improving communication, and thriving in the demanding seasons of farm life. If you've ever wondered why someone you love seems more irritable, or you're noticing changes in your own energy and outlook, this conversation offers hope, tools, and a fresh perspective. Access the full show notes for this episode at elainefroese.com. Discover more about our guest: Lisa Lounsbury Elaine Froese Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube. SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event COACHING - find your Farm Transition Coach MEMBERSHIP - Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist RESOURCES - download for FREE CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches Timestamps 0:01:35 - Lisa introduces herself and her background in wellness 0:03:46 - Discussion of andropause symptoms begins 0:07:11 - How to validate and test for andropause 0:12:38 - Ways to address andropause beyond testosterone replacement therapy 0:14:48 - Nutrition and diet recommendations 0:20:08 - Connection between andropause and mental health 0:24:42 - Lisa discusses her book "Making Wellness a Priority" 0:29:20 - How to find Lisa's online resources 0:31:43 - Closing remarks about hope and wellness
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52: How to Ask for Better Pay on Your Farm
In this episode, I sit down with Alyssa Brown, CPA, farm family coach, and fifth-generation farmer, for a frank conversation about one of the toughest topics in transition: compensation. We explore why pay on the family farm is about more than numbers, and how unspoken expectations, sacrifices, and values shape the way money flows. Alyssa shares how to uncover the full picture of compensation, from salary to hidden benefits, and why defining family living needs is key to creating fairness. Together, we discuss how couples can get on the same page before approaching the founders, why "suffering for the sake of suffering" creates resentment, and how role clarity and financial transparency help families avoid conflict and mistrust. If you've ever wondered whether you're being fairly compensated or struggled to start that conversation, this episode offers practical tools, financial insights, and coaching wisdom to help your family move toward clarity and respect. Access the full show notes for this episode at elainefroese.com. Discover more about our guest: Alyssa Brown Elaine Froese Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube. SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event COACHING - find your Farm Transition Coach MEMBERSHIP - Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist RESOURCES - download for FREE CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches Timestamps 0:01:45 - Discussion on compensation conflicts and information breakdown 0:03:48 - Comparing farm hand salaries and understanding total compensation 0:07:09 - Impact of spouse's financial approach on farm compensation 0:14:16 - Addressing the myth of "suffering for the sake of suffering" 0:18:13 - Importance of having uninterrupted, judgment-free family financial conversations 0:25:39 - Defining roles and skills as part of compensation discussion 0:29:33 - Tools and resources for compensation planning
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51: Dealing with Dementia on the Farm
In this episode, I sit down with Marsha Goetting, Extension Educator from Montana State University, for a compassionate and eye-opening conversation about a topic many farm families quietly struggle with: dementia. We explore how cognitive decline affects farm operations, family roles, and long-term planning, and why facing it head-on with clarity and care is essential. From understanding legal readiness to building respectful caregiving plans, Marsha shares stories, strategies, and practical tools to help families support aging loved ones with dignity. Together, we talk about the emotional weight of ambiguous loss, how to include children in the journey, and ways to bring more peace into difficult seasons of change. Whether you're already navigating dementia in your family or simply want to be prepared, this episode offers heartfelt guidance you won't want to miss. If your farm team includes aging parents or partners, this is the episode to listen to together. Access the full show notes for this episode at elainefroese.com. Discover more about our guest: Marsha Goetting Elaine Froese Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube. SPEAKING - book Elaine for your next event COACHING - find your Farm Transition Coach MEMBERSHIP - Join the Farm Family Harmony Membership waitlist RESOURCES - download for FREE CONTACT - take the next steps in your transition BURNING QUESTION? Submit it here for Elaine or her coaches Timestamps 0:01:33 - Introduction to dealing with dementia on farm/ranch topic and Marsha's background 0:04:03 - Personal experience with mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis and early warning signs 0:08:45 - Power of attorney importance and legal documentation needs 0:12:34 - Table of contents overview of the dementia resource guide 0:13:44 - Rural-specific challenges and stigma around dementia diagnosis 0:17:43 - Safety concerns on farms (cattle, equipment, guns, driving) 0:23:58 - Working with medical professionals and dementia-friendly communities 0:28:49 - Driving cessation challenges and family navigation 0:34:23 - Caregiver wellness and avoiding burnout 0:34:46 - Resources for children dealing with grandparents' dementia 0:41:09 - Key takeaways: continuing to love the person through the journey 0:42:40 - Final advice on not procrastinating with legal planning and destigmatizing dementia
Get personal with Elaine Froese, Canada's Farm Whisperer, in Farm Family Harmony, where no farm topic is taboo! Whether it's about a Daughter-In-Law feeling left out of the farm family, which sibling gets the family farm, or when it's time to tell Mom and Dad to respectfully retire, Elaine covers the crucial conversations every farm family needs to have.
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