We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.

 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.

If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.

Follow Carmen & AgriFocused Online

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agrifocused/

Website: https://agrifocused.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrifocused/

In this conversation, Caite & Arlene interview Carmen Quade, a farmer and business owner from Australia. They discuss Carmen's farming background, her business AgriFocus, and the challenges farmers face in office management. They also talk about the importance of financial planning and succession planning in agriculture. Carmen shares insights on incorporating kids into farm businesses and teaching them about finances and business management. They also discuss the transition to parenthood and balancing the needs of a large family with farm responsibilities. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing the needs of children of different ages and personalities. It delves into the difficulties of managing the needs of teenagers and younger children in a household. The speakers discuss the benefits of having children of similar ages and the joys of the golden stage of two primary school-aged children. They also touch on the pressures of succession and the importance of creating a comfortable and enjoyable life on the farm to attract potential successors. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the convenience of grocery delivery and the challenges of driving with teenagers.

Takeaways

• Financial planning and succession planning are crucial for the long-term success of farm businesses.
• Incorporating kids into farm businesses can teach them valuable skills and provide opportunities for entrepreneurship.
• Teaching kids about finances and business management from a young age can help them develop important life skills.
• The transition to parenthood can be challenging, but finding a balance between family and farm responsibilities is possible.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and What Are You Growing?
• 01:14 Carmen's Ag Background and AgriFocus Business
• 08:30 Challenges Farmers Face in Office Management
• 09:56 Importance of Financial Planning and Succession Planning
• 18:15 Incorporating Kids into Farm Businesses
• 26:17 Teaching Kids about Finances and Business Management
• 32:21 Transition to Parenthood and Balancing Family and Farm
• 44:30 Balancing the Needs of Different Ages and Personalities
• 45:25 Managing the Needs of Different Ages
• 46:33 Accommodating Different Needs in a Household
• 47:41 The Benefits of Having Children of Similar Ages
• 48:30 The Golden Stage of Two Primary School-Aged Children
• 52:17 Raising Suburban Kids in a Rural Environment
• 53:39 Different Types of Farm Kids
• 57:13 The Pressure of Succession and Handing Over the Farm
• 58:19 Selling Agriculture to Future Farmers
• 59:14 The Challenges Faced by Those without Successors
• 01:02:32 Childbirth: A Unique Skill
• 01:06:53 Grocery Delivery: A Game Changer
• 01:09:14 Driving with Teenagers