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Even though Jolene and Lauchie MacEachern of Folly River Farms Ltd in Debert, NS did not purchase their dairy farm from family, the six-year business succession period resulted in them being treated like family.

“And as in any family," says Lauchie, “communication was the key to our success. Without clearly articulating your goals and issues, feelings fester and issues go unresolved which can hurt not only relationships, but also the bottom line.”

(L to R) Ewan, Lauchie, Allister, Adriana and Jolene MacEachern

Young Farmers organizations of Atlantic Canada have come together to offer farmers in the region a Communicating for Results on the Family Farm workshop. Internationally renowned succession planning expert Dr. John Fast will be leading this event. The workshop aims to provide attendees with new vocabulary and improve the way they communicate on the family farm.

A gifted communicator, it is Dr. Fast’s obvious concern for people and his commitment to increase the individual and organizational performance of his clients that makes him such an effective inspirational speaker. The workshop includes communicating with emotional intelligence, active listening, managing difficult conversations, as well as many other sessions throughout the two-day workshop.

“There is a direct linkage between the Agricultural Campus, its graduates and Young Farmers. We don’t want students to leave university, drop into the countryside and lose touch with their Young Farmers groups,” General Manager of New Brunswick Young Farmers Forum Cedric MacLeod said. “When like-minded individuals come together for a common purpose and an expert is there to teach new skills, great things happen.”

Extended Learning at Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture has teamed up with Nova Scotia Young Farmers, New Brunswick Young Farmers Forum, Newfoundland & Labrador Young Farmers Forum and Young Farmers of Prince Edward Island to organize this event. Farm Credit Canada is a lead sponsor for this workshop and Dal AC’s Cultiv8 Agricultural Sandbox is providing a discounted price to its students.

The two-day workshop is taking place February 12-13, 2016 at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Bible Hill.  Click here to register or learn more about this important session.