I have a couple of employees who are showing an interest in farm meetings and other educational opportunities. I’m usually so busy that I don’t have time to do a lot of training with them. Any suggestions about what we can do? — B.B., Illinois

It’s great that you have employees who want to grow in their responsibilities and understanding. There are several different ways to go about growing the skills and abilities of your employees.

Your employees might have current areas of specific responsibility — or you could see them growing into specific areas of greater responsibility. Let’s say it’s in the area of precision ag. It could be a natural fit for them to go for training — whether alone, with another employee or with you, if you can.

If you go with them, it provides a chance for the two of you to discuss what was learned, how they see it applying to your farm and any other insights they may have. At the same time, this demonstrates your investment in them and your expectation that they’ll continue to contribute at a higher level.

You could work individually with these employees to find out what they want to get better at and areas they would like to get more exposure to. Then you can identify some opportunities for that to happen. It could be as simple as an afternoon with one of your suppliers for a training meeting or one-on-one session, or some online training in those areas.

Start by being clear about the specific role and responsibility you’re asking them to grow into on the farm. What will they need to know and be able to do to be prepared to take on those responsibilities? What are some ways to expose them to new thinking and ideas to help with that growth?

The ultimate way to grow is to actually begin doing that responsibility. You could send someone to 10 meetings a year on financial skills, but if they don’t touch anything dealing with financials, they’ll never learn.

Knowledge always needs to be coupled with application, so experience in the right skills can be gained.

Frye is president and CEO of Water Street Solutions. Email [email protected]. Read his blog, Finance First, at FarmFutures.com.