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Unit 3: Managing the Farm/Ranch Business for Long-Term Success

Knowing When to Get Help

Another characteristic of a good manager is the ability to recognize when outside assistance is needed. Financial, marketing, ecological, production, family and legal challenges all pose a business risk when left unaddressed. Good managers ask difficult questions and seek help to find answers.

Many farmers and ranchers are uncomfortable sharing family conflicts and/or business problems. Consider steering them toward resources such as farmer help lines, which provide anonymous advice and assistance as well as on-farm counseling. Many help lines are offered across the country, each geared toward answering different types of questions. Some, for example, address financial crisis and intergenerational farm transfer issues; others assist with organic production and transition questions. See the Resources section for more information on various help lines for farm businesses.