We discuss in this episode the profitability factors of taking prevent plant with Brian Sampson. Then jump into a discussion about how to put together an advisory team that helps boost your farm's bottom line.
How to form your advisory team.
What’s working for Ag – listener or farmer feedback
o Farm4profitllc@gmail.com
o @Farm4Profitllc on Twitter
Taking prevent plant with Brian Sampson
Forming an Advisory Team
You don’t have to face crucial decisions alone. You can get a team of experts to help you with yourfarming decisions.
Where do you start? Is an advisory team right for your farm? Could it become a board of
directors?
Which farms or operations are a fit for an advisory team?
Many of farms are set up perfectly for an advisory team. The one who aren't are the farmers who go at it only being their way. For the rest of you it is a fit!
How do I form an advisory team?
You start by listing out the people you think would be a good fit for your advisory team. They maybe people you already call for advice, or they could be people you've wanted to ask before and haven't. Then, ask them! This is the key part, the asking. What we have learned is when you ask,
more often than not, the team member feels honored to join. This results in more attentive
listening and invested advice.
Who should be on my advisory team?
This will depend on your farming operation. We suggest starting with agronomists, accountants, bankers, financial advisors, commodities broker, retired farmer, peer farmer, lawyer, land lord, veterinarian and so on. Each team will be different based on the needs of your farming operation. Also, think about reaching out to someone outside of the AG industry. As farms continue to get more complex with various entities and structures including a CEO or CFO from a corporate setting could provide unique insight.
How often should we meet?
This will depend on your farming operation again! Some of the operations we talked to reach out to specific team members with questions throughout the year and host a full team meeting in the Winter. Depending how complex your farm business is and how formal of a role you want your advisory team to play this may be different. We have learned of a farming operation who has their advisory team functioning as a board of directors with voting rights, they meet monthly.
Do I compensate my advisory team?
The decision to pay your board or team will be your choice. You will retain team members longer when purchasing their services or compensating for their time. However, you can also get quality advice from the right personalities for free too!
Summarize
o Start by doing self-reflection on your ability to accept criticism. Flight school pilots are
separated from good and great by those who can accept criticism the best and own
their faults. They are all trained the same but the best are humble. You need to ask the
people to be a part of your team, otherwise they may not even have a clue. Think about
your weaknesses or areas of challenge and recruit members to fill those gaps. Each
farm will be different so figure out what fits best into your schedule for meeting and
which way you plan to compensate your team members.
Glen Newcomer (twitter) learned about creating a when I die folder from his
advisory team.
Challenge
o If you have people you call now for advice, take the next steps to make sure they are
considered your advisory team. Then make it a point to have regular and focused
conversations about improving your farm. If you already have an advisory team
together we challenge you to think outside of the box for an additional team member
(CFO, CEO, HR, etc…)
Conference Update
o Farm4Profit Farm Business Award – Nomination details to be on the website, awarded
to the farm/farmer most running their operation like a business.
Submit questions and topic suggestions
o Farm4profitllc@gmail.com
o @Farm4Profitllc on Twitter
Remember if you aren’t farming for profit, you won’t be farming for long.