FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food

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Agriculture is not only a way of life, it’s a business. Talking Farm and Food is a monthly podcast that highlights the stories and experiences of farm business entrepreneurs and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Join Marty Seymour as he talks to Canadian producers about their lives, their businesses, and the farm management topics you care about. If you’re looking for advice on money and finance, transition, managing people, strategy, leadership and more, this is the podcast for you.

Farm Credit Canada


    • May 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 38 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food

    Women's work: Cultivating change with Amy VanderHeide

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 33:08 Transcription Available


    Meet Amy VanderHeide and hear her inspiring journey in agriculture, from growing up on a farm run by women to leading the Maritime Ag Women's Network and advocating for mental health and community building.   Listen to more from the FCC Knowledge Podcast. 

    Ranch Academy: Erin McKnight's blueprint for farm employee training

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 23:40 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Erin McKnight, a Saskatchewan rancher, shares how she combined her farming passion and nursing expertise to tackle ranching challenges. Learn about her innovative training methods designed to successfully onboard and retain farm employees. Listen to more from the FCC Knowledge Podcast. 

    Business synergy: When one plus one equals more than two

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 35:39 Transcription Available


    How Fanny Delisle is creating synergies for her operation, community and the ag industry to ensure she passes along a sustainable business to the next generation. Listen to more from the FCC Knowledge Podcast.  

    Carbon-neutral milk: Living into sustainable dairy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 26:15 Transcription Available


    Discover how Amy Tolhurst's family dairy farm in Howick, Quebec, is pioneering sustainable practices through the Living Lab - Carbon Neutral Milk project, aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of dairy production.

    The CEO mindset with Evan Shout

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 44:27 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Evan Shout discusses the importance of adopting a CEO mindset in farming operations. He shares his unique career journey, the growth of Hebert Grain Ventures, and the shift toward treating farms as businesses.   Listen to more from the FCC Knowledge Podcast.    Presented by AgExpert. Software designed for Canadian agriculture. 

    Business planning bonus episode – let's talk about equity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 34:19


    To continue our discussion from Episode 6: Business plans – Creating one that fits your farm vision, Joel and Merle invite FCC Business Advisor Annessa Good into the conversation and they talk about the hard, but important discussions around equity – how to fairly allocate resources, especially to off-farm children.

    Keeping your farm transition plan alive

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 48:29


    In the ninth and final episode of the series, our Business advisors wrap up and review key takeaways along the path to farm transition.  Learn how to keep the conversation going, check-in, and what you can do to keep your plan current and continue to repeat the process.

    Leaning in and leading through farm transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 37:26


    Show your farm transition plan who's boss. In this eighth episode, FCC Business Advisors role-play conversations and share best practices, showing you how to lead through ongoing alignment and activation. See firsthand how to work through challenges and towards agreement on timelines and implementation of your plan.

    Transferring knowledge in farm transition 

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 41:26


    Is your successor set up for transition success? In the seventh of a 9-part series, learn how to share knowledge and help the next generation. FCC Business Advisors Annessa Good and Andrea DeGroot will help you gain the skills and experience needed to move the farm business forward.

    Business plans: Creating one that fits your farm vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 36:42


    In the sixth of a 9-part series, learn how to build a written plan that's considerate of all generations and consistent with your farm's values, vision and goals. Transition experts Joel Bokenfohr and Merle Good work through the process from the junior and senior partners' perspectives in this mock scenario during one of our recent virtual events.

    Why every farm transition needs a will and estate plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 42:28


    In this episode, Patti Durand and Tom Deans address incorrect assumptions people make about estate planning and why having a current, well-considered will is a critical part of any transition. 

    Building the right farm transition team

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 44:45


    What do you get when you have a lender, lawyer and accountant in the same room together? Great advice! In the fourth of our 9-part series, learn how to identify who's on your professional advisory team and what skills and expertise are needed to fill the gaps. 

    Farm transition: Value, vision and goal setting - a farm transition powerhouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 50:02


    Is everyone on the same page when it comes to transition planning? In this episode, Patti Durand, FCC Transition Specialist and Kent Gulash, Director of Industry Relations at AG-West Bio, walk through how to create a shared vision, values and goals that everyone can connect with.

    Crunching the numbers: Assessing farm transition financials

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 51:34


    Are you financially ready for farm transition? In this episode, FCC Business Advisors, Andrea De Groot and Corey Henderson share how to assess and summarize your current financial picture while considering your family dynamics. 

    Is your farm transition-ready? How to plan and prepare

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 43:10


    Farm transition happens – are you prepared? In the first of a 9-part series on your path to farm transition, FCC Business Advisors Joel Bokenfohr and Annessa Good share how to gather the correct farm structure and estate documents and details, identify who needs to be involved and ensure they're committed to the transition process.

    People power: Learning through mentorship and collaboration

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2022 34:27


    When farm manager Lori Robinson started in ag, she didn't have many female role models to look up to – so she became one. In this episode, learn how she built a successful career by embracing mentorship, joining boards, and surrounding herself with good people.

    An inspired vision: Adapting, resiliency and innovating for success

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 36:10


    Like many Saskatchewan farmers, Curtis Heinen is in the grains and oilseed business. But unlike most, he also operates an on-farm machinist business – and does it all while being visually impaired.  Backed by a supportive family and community, learn how he's built a thriving ag operation by learning to adapt, diversify and focus on the big picture. 

    A seat at the table: How diversity of thinking leads to better decision-making

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 36:36


    Trent Hilderman, a producer and agronomist has a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish - to leave his farm better than he got it. And to have the best-producing, sustainable land that's profitable takes insight and practices from many different places. In this episode, we hear how involving different ideas and perspectives in decision-making can lead to better farm management.

    Sold! Let's talk about the benefits of auctions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 38:57


    The pace of conversation may be a bit slower than what Jordan Clarke from Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is used to, but he has a lot of valuable insight to share on the auction business. In this episode, Jordan and Marty discuss using online sales to broaden your customer base, the benefits of adding an auction person to your advisory team and how auctioneers can help when it's time to offload assets before you retire.

    Getting social: Advocating, recruiting and going digital

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2022 38:33


    Carlie Bowditch and her family are forward-thinking farmers. They've embraced social media to help them engage with the public, advocate for ag and even recruit and retain employees. They also see the benefits of digitizing their accounting and field records. In this episode, Marty and Carlie talk about how social media and tech can be valuable additions to any farm management toolkit.

    Turning ideas into action: Stories of success, strategy and growth 

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 47:41


    What's the secret to a successful and profitable farm operation? In this special episode, recorded at Canadian Western Agribition, Marty chats with fellow CWA Top 50 Influential in Ag winners Alanna Koch, Dr. Joy Agnew and Brett McRae about strategic planning, digitization, mentorship and the future of agriculture.

    Where there's a will - there's a way: Preparing for farm transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 36:45


    Calgary lawyer, Eric Dalke has helped many a farm family navigate the complexities of transition and will and estate planning – and he has some plain-spoken legal advice to share. In this episode, Eric and Marty discuss why a will is the cornerstone to any good transition and how early conversations and putting pen to paper are essential to everyone getting on the same page.

    Transition happens: How to plan and stay ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 38:51


    Whether you plan or not, transition happens on every family farm. In this episode, Marty talks to Andrea De Groot, an FCC Business Advisor and Allison Henkell a Tax Partner at BDO about what to consider “pre-transition” and how to determine your farm's viability to support both generations early in the process.  Learn how to organize your assets, understand your business structure, assess your personal net worth and ask open-ended questions.

    Getting creative: Building a solid foundation on leased land

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 34:00


    Dave Semmelink, a Vancouver Island farmer, is a busy guy. He raises livestock, grows vegetables, runs a farm stand and recently invested in an abattoir – and does it all on leased land. It may seem risky, but with a solid business plan, he's set up for success.

    Cosmetics to cows: Coming home and moving the dairy forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 39:17


    How did a former town kid with a 20-year career as a makeup artist end up managing the family dairy? For Ashley Brown of Browndale Farm, coming home to support her father after losing his farm help, empowered her to turn a labour shortage into an opportunity to innovate through automation.   In this episode, Ashley and Marty talk technology, risk mitigation, diversification, keeping the family legacy and falling in love with her “girls”.

    Apples to apples: Getting to the core of good business management

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 41:53


    Kenneth Carrier may only have 5 years in the apple business, but his long history in food-related industries and talent for marketing and finance has fast-tracked his ag success. In this episode, Kenneth and Marty talk about his journey to the orchard business and how good data management, careful planning, creating balance and defining career satisfaction helps with his new venture.

    I married a farmer: Choosing a life in agriculture

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 40:02


    Sherri Pauls is a farmer from Southern Manitoba – but you might know her better from her hilarious take on farm life on Instagram as The Ginger Mom. She married into agriculture 17 years ago - and that can take some adjusting to. In this episode, Sherri and Marty explore making that transition into farm life, the family dynamics that go with it and how resiliency, regular farms meetings and open communication – and of course, humour - are key to making their business a success.

    Cutting edge cattle: Balance and the business of ranching

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 40:28


    Jill Harvie of Harvie Ranching is one of the most well-known cattle breeders in the industry. And managing a cutting-edge operation with a global reach gives her a lot of insight. In this episode of Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Jill talk cows, knowing your customers, using data and why making time for “in the office work” is critical to business success.

    Birds of a feather: Chicken farming, mentorship and community

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 38:11


    Doug Bryson and his fiancé, Stephanie, feel they've “won the chicken lottery," but this young couple's poultry farming dream could only be achieved with the help of some amazing people and support programs. In this episode of Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Doug talk about the ups and downs of chicken farming and how mentorship and a supportive farming community can empower young farmers to realize their dreams.

    Prime cuts: Building sales, customers and public trust

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 46:32


    How do you build a rapidly growing business - even during a pandemic? Emma Butler, owner of J & E Meats, along with her husband have managed to grow their farm into a successful storefront operation. In this episode of FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food, Marty talks to Emma about her innovative approach to sales, telling the story of your food and building a personal brand through social media.

    Tales from transition: A senior partner success story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 60:52


    Garnet Martin of Evergreen Wood Creek Farms and his junior partners are at the end of their farm transition journey. While they've overcome hard times, his family's open and intentional approach to the process brought it to a successful fruition. In this two-part episode of FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Garnet discuss transition from a senior partner's perspective. Garnet shares his philosophy on bringing advisors together and the hard work and pride in seeing your kids take over the farm. And be sure to check out part one, where we talk to a junior partner from a different operation about his farm transition experience.

    Tales from transition: A junior partner success story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 48:49


    Michael Ferguson of Wilmar Farms and his family are in a great spot with their transition. They transferred decision-making control early and maintained the family relationships – an ideal outcome. But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Even when he tried to do everything right, there were roadblocks along the way. In this two-part episode of FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Mike discuss transition from a junior partner's perspective. Mike shares the importance of trust, hard conversations and taking the time and patience to make it work. And stay tuned for part two, where we talk transition from a senior partners perspective.

    Redefining farm roles: Let's talk women in ag

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2020 39:10


    Aimée Ferré Stang is a woman in agriculture – but if you met her, she likely wouldn't call herself a farmer. She didn't grow up on the farm. She doesn't drive a tractor. But there's no question she's a major contributor to her operation.  In this episode of FCC Knowledge: Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Aimée discuss the roles of women in agriculture, accepting and defining her many contributions to the operation and the balancing act it takes to raise a family and grow her off-farm career.

    Ranching by the numbers: beef, benchmarking and balance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 51:09


    How does an engineering degree help you raise grass-fed beef? For Ben Campbell, of Grazed Right Ranch, his unconventional path to agriculture was informed by the critical thinking and problem-solving he learned at school. In this episode of the FCC Knowledge podcast: Talking Farm and Food, Marty and Ben talk about using your numbers and how benchmarking and ongoing learning informs decision-making and helps Ben achieve balance.

    Out of the woods: Overcoming financial hard times

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 32:31


    Todd Baker and his Ontario tree nursery are no stranger to adversity. In 2003, when an ash borer pest infestation wiped out over half of his business, he needed a plan to survive — and he did. In this episode of Talking Farm and Food, Todd shares what his operation had to do to overcome financial challenges. He also talks to Marty about his experience as a consultant, his adoption of tech and advice for anyone who manages people.

    Counting sheep: One couple's journey from off-farm to dream farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 28:59


    Todd and Jennifer Payne of Asphodel Sheep Company in Central Ontario always had big dreams of becoming full-time farmers – but it took time and planning to get there. In this episode, we'll learn about their journey from off-farm employment to purchasing Shepherd's Choice, one of the sheep industry's leading genetics operations. Learn more about the Payne's unique transition story in this AgriSuccess article.

    Raising Alpacas on the Canadian Prairies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 21:44


    In 1996, Carol Poole, owner of Tigerlily Ranch, was at the forefront of an innovative, new business – raising alpacas on the Canadian Prairies. At a time when exotics like bison, ostrich, and elk were all the rage, she and her business partner formed Tiger Park Alpacas. Today, they focus on producing world class alpaca fiber and have developed some of the best breeding stock in the industry. In this episode, we'll learn more about this unique industry and Carol's path to business success. How do alpacas survive a Prairie summer?

    Introducing the FCC Knowledge Podcast: Talking Farm and Food

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 1:04


    Agriculture is not only a way of life, it's a business. Talking Farm and Food is a monthly podcast that highlights the stories and experiences of farm business entrepreneurs and the lessons they've learned along the way. Join Marty Seymour as he talks to Canadian producers about their lives, their businesses, and the farm management topics you care about. If you're looking for advice on money and finance, transition, managing people, strategy, leadership and more, this is the podcast for you.

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