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Defining the larger plan for your operation might be one of the most practical things for your farm – here’s why.

Darren Frye, CEO

May 23, 2022

3 Min Read
Corn stubble with farms scene in background
Rachel Schutte

When it comes to the long-term vision, goals and plans for your farm operation, what are your thoughts about spending time on that? Some farmers feel that creating a long-term vision and plan for their operation is key to their success. Others might believe it’s a waste of time, while still others are somewhere in between.

Getting clear on a long-term vision for your operation might not be at the top of your to-do list – but it’s actually one of the most practical things you can do for your farm – and its future. Why? Three main reasons come to mind.

  1. All your plans and goals support the larger vision. When you take the time to consider the near-term future (say, five to ten years out) as well as the longer-term (including your hopes for your full farming career – and beyond), then you can create a vision that will encompass what you hope to achieve during that time period. Once the big vision has been created, then all the shorter-term plans and goals can be aligned to work together in a way that all contribute toward achieving that vision.

  2. Major decision-making gets a little easier. As you have major decisions to make – think high-dollar purchases, investments, personnel decisions, and so on – you can hold all those processes up to your bigger vision. Having that future view in mind will help in determining what type of decision will further those goals – or if a particular decision would actually do the opposite. This can be especially helpful when the stakes are high for the decision, there are multiple alternatives, or you’re not sure what to choose.

  3. All stakeholders in the operation can make a bigger difference. When others in the operation understand exactly what the vision is for the future, they can help move toward it in their everyday work – in the here and now. This is a major practical advantage for everyone – from seasonal, part-time employees to your spouse to your operations manager. Communicating a clear vision for the future – and the goals and plans that will be used to achieve it – is an important way to further engage your employees, family members and anyone else involved in your operation. People want to work with purpose – and on purpose – so their understanding of where the farm is headed can go a long way in achieving the farm’s goals more quickly and easily.
     

What are your 2022 marketing goals?

Have you ever felt uncertain about making a marketing decision for your operation? If so, you’re not alone. Many farm leaders have felt uncertain or anxious about marketing decisions – especially in this volatile year. Yet it’s important to be able to confidently make decisions around grain marketing plans and execution.

You might choose to work with one of our market advisors. They help farmer clients with planning and execution around marketing decisions and help keep them up to speed on the current rapidly-changing grain market situation – and how it impacts their operation.

Or get a free week-long trial of our marketing information service (MarketView Basic). Your free trial includes regular audio and video updates, technical analysis, recommendations and more. Learn more about our market advisor programs and offerings at www.waterstreetconsulting.com.

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Farm Progress. 

 

About the Author(s)

Darren Frye

CEO, Water Street Solutions

Darren Frye grew up on an innovative, integrated Illinois farm. He began trading commodities in 1982 and started his first business in 1987, specializing in fertilizer distribution and crop consulting. In 1994 he started a consulting business, Water Street Solutions to help Midwest farmers become more successful through financial analysis, crop insurance, marketing consulting and legacy planning. The mission of Finance First is to get you to look at spreadsheets and see opportunity, to see your business for what it can be, and to help you build your agricultural legacy.

Visit Water Street Solutions

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