Brandy VanDeWalle

Coping in Changing Times

April 29, 2020April 25, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

This article was written by Dr. Saundra Frerichs, Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development.

How can someone like me cope with something so unexpected? As I searched for this answer, I read recommendations for different groups of people: individuals living alone, families, children with special needs, empty nesters, and seniors. I found suggestions that can help all of us cope.

It seems with the increase in online education, everyone brings their pets to show others! I appreciate my daughter’s teachers for connecting with them and trying to keep things routine in our new “norm”.

Create a routine.

Consistency and structure may be calming during times of stress. This is true whether we are creating a work and learning schedule for the whole family, or creating routines for ourselves when we are home alone. Use routine to create reasonable expectations for yourself and others.

Build off familiar routines from school or work. Create cues for the start and end of each day. For example, take a quick walk around the block or in the backyard before starting work.
Healthy routines include adequate sleep, healthy meals, exercise, and time for social interactions.
Plan to work or learn in bursts. Children need learning bursts of 15 to 45 minutes. Adults can focus longer, but still need regular breaks. Stretch for 5 minutes every 20 minutes if sitting or get up and walk around for 10 minutes.

Check-in with yourself and others.

It is important to take time to check in with yourself and with friends and family. When connecting with others follow these tips.

Acknowledge feelings. For young children use a feeling chart to help them express themselves. Also, remember to acknowledge your own feelings. Avoid passing judgement on yourself and other. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
Treat yourself with as much gentleness as you treat others.
Resist the need to solve other’s problems. Ask, “How can we work together to make this experience more bearable?” Then be quiet and listen.
Encourage yourself and others to be mindful of the present. Avoid worrying about “what ifs.”

Try something new.

With so many events we can’t control, it is important to focus on what we can control. Trying new activities can give a sense of accomplishment. You may discover new coping strategies that you can use for the rest of your life.

Don’t try to do everything, but do try new things. For example, start a new arts or crafts project, make a new recipe, or read a book for enjoyment.
Try yoga or a new exercise video with a spirit of adventure and fun.
Try new ways to connect with friends and family like connecting through video calls, virtual play dates, or writing letters.

Use your network.

Remember to use your social network. Friends, family, neighbors and co-workers can help you cope. Make plans to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and other special events in new ways.
Use your network to find opportunities for learning, traveling, or playing online.
Use your network for support. Would your child be more motivated to do his homework on a video chat with a friend? Would a virtual story time with grandparents at 5:00 help you get supper ready?

During this time of unexpected and unprecedented events, remember it is okay not be the perfect parent or family member, employee, or person. Simply, don’t expect perfection from yourself or others. Healthy coping skills will help you and your family navigate this experience. More information and resources on coping can be found at https://disaster.unl.edu/families or by contacting your local Nebraska Extension office.

Resources to Support Coping in Changing Times

Child Mind Institute provides daily tips and a collection of resources for parents on coping during COVID-19, including resources for supporting children with special needs.

https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

The Center for Disease Control has resources for Daily Live and Coping in response to COVID-19 that cover both physical and mental health concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/index.html

Child Trends has brought together a great set of resources on promoting resiliency in response to the COVID19 pandemic. https://www.childtrends.org/publications/ways-to-promote-childrens-resilience-to-the-covid-19-pandemic

Crops, Livestock

COVID-19 Ag Producer Best Management Practices

April 25, 2020April 25, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

Spring is a busy time of year for our farmers and ranchers and this year is no different. What is different however is the impact that COVID-19 has had on our rural communities. With kids home and schooling from home, some farm/ranch spouses working from home or not able to work at all, the stress is very real for many. Those of us in agriculture know the work we do to produce food for the world is essential but be sure to take precautions to protect you and your family during these uncertain and unprecedented times.

Recently I came across an article written by Brian Van Der Ley, Veterinary Epidemiologist Extension Specialist with Nebraska Extension. He provided the following are guidelines and recommendations that can be used to implement COVID-19 control in agricultural systems.

Stay Informed
Follow federal, state, and local direction to reduce personal risk for contracting COVID-19 and to limit further transmission if you or your employees become infected. Stay informed at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
Make a written plan by addressing the following:
- What are the essential activities of the operation? (Feeding, farm work, etc.)
- Who is primarily responsible for completing those activities?
- How those activities are accomplished? (What basic skills are needed for the activity)
- Who is available to complete those tasks if the primary individual becomes unavailable?
- How may essential activities have to be modified if primary individuals are unavailable?
- Write down the plan in as much detail as possible and make team members aware of the plan to insure continuity of business if COVID-19 infections begin to have a direct impact that disrupts normal management channels. Consider worst case scenarios for this situation (e.g. all team members are in quarantine due to exposure) and how essential operations can continue (e.g. asymptomatic team members self-quarantine at the operation to continue operations) and the logistics required for that plan.
Develop plans to separate the teams/family members/hired personnel to prevent transmission. Separate duties and use personal distancing of employees while at work and not at work. Examples – processing livestock, filling planters, brandings, etc.
Hold Virtual Meetings
Consider conducting employee meetings virtually – ZOOM, FaceTime, others. If in person, follow CDC guidelines.
Clean High Touch Areas
Limit use of common areas-use only with social distancing and hygiene guidelines going into and coming out of high touch areas, like meeting rooms, common kitchens, common restrooms, sinks, refrigerators, etc.
Clean and disinfect high touch areas frequently
- Bleach may be used to disinfect surfaces, but the concentration is higher for COVID-19 than for everyday sanitation: 5 tablespoons bleach per gallon of water
- Clean Vehicles, Tractors, Implements, and Tools.
- Place hygiene supplies (hand sanitizer, disinfect and/or disinfectant wipes in equipment and other shared areas (e.g. shop). When changing operators/users – when entering and leaving or before and after use.
- Disinfect hands using sanitizer.
- Disinfectant all high touch areas (e.g steering wheel, control handles, door handles, syringes, etc.)
- Consider disposable covers for porous surfaces like seats and other upholstered surfaces.
- Allow for 3 hour down-time to allow virus to die in confined spaces (e.g. cabs), if possible.
Communicate with People Coming to your Location (consultants, veterinarians, dealers, mechanics, etc.)
- Set up appointments that include time, meeting place, and a plan for transmission control (social distancing, cleaning/disinfection, personal protective equipment, etc.)
- Confirm that individuals are feeling well and have not traveled to high risk locations prior to departure for visit.
Coordinate Delivery of Products and Inputs (feed, medicine, supplements, pesticides, others).
- Develop non-contact delivery methods (e.g. drop off locations)
- Wash hands after handling packaging, consider wearing gloves.
- Consider disinfection of non-porous packaging.
- For deliveries that require person-to-person interaction:
- Develop physical reminders for social distancing (tape on floor, barriers, etc.)
- Practice hand sanitizing/washing before and after interaction
- Inventorying and back-up planning essential.
- Identify essential supplies and consider increasing inventory
- Develop contingency plans if essential supplies become unavailable

(Source: IANR News & author: Brian Van Der Ley, Veterinary Epidemiologist Extension Specialist with Nebraska Extension)

Youth

Comfort in a Changing World

April 15, 2020April 15, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

By Guest Columnist: Dr. Michelle Krehbiel, Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development

“I don’t like this!” This statement is one that children or youth might use during a heated game, when being asked to correct unwanted behavior or when plans change. For those children and youth who were looking forward to milestones like field days, end of school year celebrations, prom, or graduation, they have reason to believe that life can be sad, frustrating, and difficult.

adult alone anxious black and white — Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

The question is how do we, as nurturing adults, help young people cope with these emotions and equip them with the skills they need to be caring, connected, and capable adults? Any loss for a child or youth, such as a failing an exam, death of a pet, changes in family structure, or events from a disaster, can lead to a wide variety of feelings such as disappointment, sadness, loneliness, or anger. These feelings are common reactions to such experiences.

As caring adults, we can do the following to help young people cope.

Acknowledge feelings and allow youth to talk about their feelings and concerns. Let youth know that it is okay to be sad, scared or confused. Identifying and naming a feeling can be very helpful in trying to understand and make meaning of a situation.
Be a calm and reassuring presence. Remind youth that over time things will get better.
Help youth form positive coping skills by setting a healthy example of how to manage feelings like grief, anxiety, fear, or sadness. Teach young people that exercising, meditation, writing in a journal, engaging in a favorite hobby like art, cooking, gardening or sewing are healthy ways to work through disappointment, loss, and grief.
Expressing gratitude for things that make life enjoyable is another way teach positive coping skills.
Create an environment where youth can interact with their peers. Using video conferencing, having telephone conversations, or writing letters are ways of connecting with peers. These connections can be helpful ways to provide emotional support for youth, especially for adolescents.
Simply, listen. If ever youth need adults to listen, it is now. Being able to talk about an experience can support making meaning of a situation which is an important part of grieving. Remember you don’t have to have all the answers. Silence is okay. Youth just need to know you care.

Sometime life can be difficult, unfair, and painful. While adults cannot prevent or change all of these experiences, they can play a significant role in helping young people cultivate and practice skills that give them the ability to develop resiliency or the ability to overcome hardship. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University recommends that adults build supportive adult-child relationships as a way to strengthen a young person’s resiliency. Taking the time to listen and communicate with young people, being a positive example of healthy coping skills, and simply just being a calming reassuring presence are action steps that adults can implement now. As adults, let’s take the time to prepare young people to become caring, connected and capable adults.

For more information and resources about youth social emotional development in difficult times can be found at https://disaster.unl.edu/families or by contacting your local county Nebraska Extension office.

Comfort in a Changing World Resources

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard has some great resources. This link is specific to resiliency but I would encourage you take some time to explore other parts of the website.

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/resilience/

Youth.gov which is a website supported by the United State federal government. Its’ content was produced but multiple government agencies and has some excellent youth development resources. This link is specific to resiliency. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health/definitions-developmental-competencies

Child Trends has some great work on resiliency. Here is a link to one of their resources. https://www.childtrends.org/what-can-schools-do-to-build-resilience-in-their-students

Additionally, they have a great publication on youth and the COVID19 pandemic. https://www.childtrends.org/publications/ways-to-promote-childrens-resilience-to-the-covid-19-pandemic

Lastly, this is a nice general resources on common mental health issues from Australia. I have always found Australia to have outstanding youth resources. https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?token=BL/1060 (publication on anxiety and depression)

Youth

Parent & Child Care Provider Resources

April 3, 2020April 3, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

The Learning Child team with Nebraska Extension provides affordable, research-based, educational programs, and resources. Information in each program is based on research from faculty right here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The goal is to empower all adults who care for young children by providing high-quality professional development that sets the stage for lifelong learning, discovery, and success. The Learning Child (TLC) is here to help take what is learned from professional development and research and put it into practice.

Communities caring for children and youth want answers regarding what to do before, during, and after an emergency event, disaster, or crisis. It is important to remember that all children and youth react differently to major changes in their lives. The Learning Child team has various resources that may be of help to adults and the families, children, and youth in the community.

Nebraska Extension’s Learning Child and 4-H Youth Development teams have developed a one page handout listing all of the resources. This handout is electronically accessible and printable. It is available in English and Spanish. To access the handouts please visit the BOX link and share it with those you feel may benefit.

Here are a few more resources that may be of help:

Helping Children Cope – Suggestions and Strategies

The most important way to support children and youth is to talk, comfort, and reassure them they are loved and supported regarding their experiences. Using children’s literature in an interactive way, caregivers can help children heal. The Learning Child team has identified books to support children’s coping and understanding of their feelings after experiencing a major stressor, disaster, loss, and/or grief. Free storybook reading guides accompany the books. The guides provide adults with suggested activities and probing questions to help children personally connect with the experiences of the characters in the books.

Parents and educators are in the best position to help children and youth cope. Nebraska Extension’s Learning Child in collaboration with 4-H Youth Development have developed a simple one-page handout that is electronically accessible and printable with online videos, classes, and activities for young children (birth to age eight) and school-age children. This website has resources to support children’s coping and understanding of their feelings. It is common for children and youth to experience grief, frustration, anger, and a lost sense of security after experiencing a major change, loss, or grief.

Online Professional Development – Childcare Providers

The Learning Child team provides automatically approved in-service hours with research-based information from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Nebraska Extension. Online offeringsprovide information and strategies on how to support the early growth and development of young children.

A Beautiful Day – Virtual early childhood space

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A Beautiful Day is a virtual early childhood space designed to connect with children and families in Nebraska and across the world. UNL faculty and collaborators created this space as a way to share ideas, to foster learning and play, and to support caregivers experiencing physical distancing. The team is creating and adding more videos on a regular basis. This space is a safe video based platform with no ads, to share ideas, foster learning and play, and to support all adults caring for children who are experiencing physical distancing.

Inspiration for A Beautiful Day came from Fred Rogers who said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” This project involves the following collaborators: Child, Youth and Families Studies, Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory, College of Education and Human Sciences, Nebraska Extension, and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

Stay Connected as a Family – Celebrate your strengths!

Strong families have the ability to manage stress and crisis in their lives in positive, creative ways. There are strengths families use to create positive environments, however, to take care of your family and others, you must first take care of yourself. The Nebraska Extension team has compiled resources for family support and mental health for adults and families.

Readers may contact Lynn DeVries, Learning Child Educator at ldevries6@unl.edu or members of the Learning Child interest group at TLC@unl.edu if they have any questions about these resources.

Uncategorized

Spotting COVID-19 Misinformation

March 30, 2020March 27, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

Recently, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Social Media Lab for Research & Engagement within the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media released ten tips for spotting COVID-10 misinformation which I’ve decided to share this week. The authors, Jeremy Harris Lipschultz, Ph.D., and Adam Tyma, Ph.D. shared ten tips to help you be better informed reader of online media.

facebook application icon — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The tips are as follows:

Check the source of the social media post: Do you know and trust it as a source of truthful and reliable information?
Only trust experts. Now is not the time to trust this pundit or that pundit, this media celebrity or that YouTuber. If it’s not coming from the CDC or WHO (or, locally, UNMC), walk away.
Check the date: Is this a recent story, or from a long time ago?
Does the message seem credible to you? Is it consistent with other stories? Does it fit with your experiences?
Who shared the post in your newsfeed? Do you know the person? Have they always shared reliable information?
If there is a photograph, does it look real, or could it be doctored?
If there is a video, does it show any possible signs of being edited?
More broadly, is the language in the post boring/objective or is it exciting/subjective? Often, the way the post is written is meant to get you to click without thinking because it might align with your own beliefs.
A good test: right click the link or image to see what the actual URL is. If it does not come from the place that it claims to come from (look for weird letters at the end like .ru, .cn, or others that just seem off), don’t go to it. A URL that ends with .com, .org, .net, or .gov are typically more trustworthy.
Take this time to slow down and reflect on what you know. There is no need to rush to judgment.

Youth

4-H Reaches Youth With Two New Live Video Programs

March 27, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

Recently, Nebraska Extension staff led hundreds of youth in a kitchen science experiment focused on chemical reactions — the kind with vinegar and baking soda that is a staple at elementary school science fairs. For the inaugural program on March 17^th, youth from more than 200 locations across Nebraska and four other states engaged in science out of their own homes. CBD83E1B-9F88-4378-82FB-F8A0DD5620AA_1_105_c

This was the first in a series of live videos that Nebraska 4-H plans to stream each Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. Central Time for as long as schools remain closed to slow the spread of COVID-19. The series, called Living Room Learning, aims to provide fun, engaging, educational activities that families can complete together with supplies they probably already have on hand, said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of Nebraska Extension.

For families across Nebraska and throughout the United States, where they are now is at home, and in many cases, parents are trying to balance their own work obligations with their children’s learning. Nebraska 4-H has a strong history of interacting with youth in ways that build life skills such as communication and leadership, while also educating them in content areas including STEM, healthy living and entrepreneurship. In addition, 4-H extension educators across the state already have relationships with 4-H clubs, schools and parents.

Youth who took part in the livestream were able to see the other participants and use a chat box to discuss the project and share other information, such as where they were from. The young learners seemed to love seeing other participants in their homes across the state and beyond. Living Room Learning is geared toward third- through fifth-graders, though younger and older kids can participate, too. 4h_mark1

Nebraska 4-H has also launched the Boredom Buster Challenge, a live video series geared toward middle schoolers and focused on entrepreneurship. Like Living Room Learning, the Boredom Buster Challenge encourages participants to take advantage of the opportunities for interaction offered through the livestream as they learn about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and challenge themselves to think of alternative uses for common household items, among other activities. The Boredom Buster Challenge will take place at 2 p.m. Central Time on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Forthcoming Living Room Learning livestreams will focus on healthy living, STEM and citizenship, among other topics. One activity will guide youth in making marbled paper, which they’ll turn into a card to send to someone in their community. As 4-H leaders plan activities, they ensure that the four “H’s” — head, heart, hands and health — are represented, and that each lesson fosters creative thinking and independence.

For a schedule of upcoming Living Room Learning activities and past livestreams, visit https://4h.unl.edu/living-room-learning. For a schedule and past videos of the Boredom Buster Challenge, visit https://4h.unl.edu/boredom-buster-challenge.

Source: Cara Pesek, IANR Media

Programming, Youth

Tractor safety course to teens across Nebraska

March 25, 2020March 20, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

Members of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health will provide a tractor safety course in May and June of 2020 at 11 sites across Nebraska in partnership with Nebraska Extension. The course provides extensive training on tractor and all-terrain vehicle safety with a variety of hands-on activities. Instilling an attitude of ‘making safety a priority’ and respect for agricultural equipment are primary goals of the course. TractorCourse

Teens 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others who are interested in learning about safe farming practices, are encouraged to register for the Nebraska Extension Tractor Safety & Hazardous Occupations Course. Anyone under age 14 is not eligible to take the class.

Federal law prohibits children under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.

Susan Harris-Broomfield, University of Nebraska Extension Educator reports that a common cause of agricultural-related injuries and deaths in Nebraska is overturned tractors and ATVs. She emphasized that this course is designed to train students how to avoid these incidents as well as many other hazards on the farm and ranch.

Cost of the course is $60 and includes educational materials, instruction, supplies, and lunch. The first day of class will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, hands-on participation, concluding with a written test which students must pass to attend the second day of training.

The second day of training will include a driving test and equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors will also offer education about safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, utility-task vehicles (UTVs), and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).

Instructors for the course are members of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health: Aaron Yoder, Ph.D., Ellen Duysen, MPH; UNMC graduate student Alyssa Damke; and Nebraska Extension educators Troy Ingram, Randy Saner, Chandra Giles, and John Thomas.

Classes begin at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., depending on location, and end times vary depending on the number of participants. If classes do not fill to the minimum of 10 participants, an option will be offered to do Day 1 training online and Day 2 in person.

Dates, training site locations, and site coordinator phone numbers are below:

May 21 & 22 – Weeping Water, Fairgrounds, (402) 267-2205
May 26 & 27 – Ord, Fairgrounds (308) 728-5071;
May 28 & 29 – Wayne, Fairgrounds (402) 375-3310
June 1 & 2 – O’Neill, Plains Equipment, (402) 336-2760
June 3 (first day is online) – Gordon, Fairgrounds, (308) 327-2312
June 4 & 5 – Ainsworth, Evangelical Free, (402) 387-2213
June 9 & 10 – Geneva, Fairgrounds, (402) 759-3712
June 11 & 12 – North Platte, West Central Research, Extension and Education Center, (308) 532-2683
June 16 & 17 – Kearney, Buffalo County Extension Office (308) 236-1235
June 18 & 19 – Hastings, Adams County Extension Office (402) 461-7209
June 29 & 30 – Gering, Legacy Museum (308) 632-1480.

For more information or to register, contact the appropriate Extension office above. The registration form is located at kearney.unl.edu.

Uncategorized

Reflection

March 20, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

COVID-19 has changed the way our world is run. For me, I’m working at home while facilitating distance education school for my two girls. It can be challenging and test my patience, but I’m also viewing it as an opportunity. For example, I haven’t had night meetings away from them, we’ve had supper at the table every night, I’m more involved in their education by helping answer questions they have with their school work AND they are even helping me with some work projects as I figure out how to transition face-to-face programs to an online offering. You might be seeing them star in some videos!

Try and use this uncertain time to reconnect with people via phone or internet and find gratitude in what you have and take care of each other! 130D3026-5C16-4BBF-9AD9-1EA31DF8D78A_1_105_c

Recently a video talked about dealing with the stress during a pandemic…https://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Play/bf0a42f96e874778bf47a8517125f1591d

Uncategorized

EXTENSION PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

March 17, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

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blank book business clean — Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

Nebraska Extension is fully committed to the health and well-being of Nebraskans. In a disease situation like COVID-19, the principle of social distancing is one of the main methods that can be used to help reduce the spread of the disease.

Chancellor Ronnie Green has issued guidance that all UNL classes will move to ‘remote’ modes. To be consistent with that guidance, Nebraska Extension will, whenever possible, provide Extension programs remotely (video or teleconferencing) but will not provide in-person Extension programs, at least until May 9. We recognize that this practice may create some level of disruption relative to the important information we provide to Nebraskans. In addition to our ‘remote’ course offerings, we encourage Nebraskans to visit extension.unl.edu to access a wide array of online information.

Crops, Irrigation, Livestock

Farm Family Transition & Stressors

March 16, 2020 Brandy VanDeWalle

The agricultural economy is no stranger to stress. Stress from difficult weather, stress from low commodity prices, production risks and many other reasons contribute to the stress for our farmers and ranchers. One of the constant pressures and stressors family operations deal with is the successful transition of the family business to the next generation.

Recently, Dr. Ron Hanson spoke at a Farmers & Ranchers College program on “Strategies for Family Farm Success in the Shark Tank.” Hanson has been working with farm families for over 40 years and reminded participants that money, wealth and property, especially land always put a family’s relationship to the test. His analogies to sharks indicate that some families have “predator sharks” that lurk parents’ property or belongings, waiting to make a move and take a “bite” into family wealth or estate. An effective management strategy is to put yourself in the shark tank and begin addressing difficult situations and questions that might arise from uncertainties in agriculture.

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In order for families to be successful in transitioning the family farm or ranch, contingency planning must occur. Contingency planning, sometimes referred to as business continuity plans simply account for planning for the unexpected. “Developing and then implementing a business management plan to overcome unexpected changes to the ownership structure and management leadership is crucial for the continued success of the operation” (Hanson, 2020). Contingency planning is not easy and can result in a lot of emotional stress and even conflict, but families that are willing to work through and plan this before a life-altering situation occur are more likely to ensure their farming or ranching legacy will continue for future generations.

Hanson reminded participants that some adult children in the family may already feel they are entitled and that their parents’ estate is the children’s estate. Parents have the right to divide their estate as they wish and letting everyone involved know before they die can prevent huge family fights or court fights down the road. It is sad that family wealth can destroy family relationships and put an end to a family farm legacy. Transparency in estate planning is important for all involved.

Handling the stress and potential conflict upfront can reduce the stress, fights and issues that might occur when a tragedy, family illness or death occur. Dealing with large and unexpected events is stressful enough, so why not make a plan in advance so time and focus can be spent on the situation at hand? Hanson recommends farm and ranch families adopt five guidelines or planning steps to accomplish this process.

Adopt a vision. What is the vision for the future of the family farm/ranch? What is the legacy the parents wish to leave? This starts with the parents.
Draft ideas into a plan. This is where the parents must sit down with family members and discuss expectations of each family members. A planning document must be put in writing.
Organize planning resources. Families must work with an accountant, farm loan officer, estate or wealth planning specialist or an attorney. These people have the expertise and can assist the farm family implement the plan.
Clarify family member assumptions. Arrange for a family meeting so all adult children are aware of the plan. Any existing jealousies and resentments should be resolved and feasible solutions found.
Take control and set deadlines. Take action and get the planning process started. Break down the plan into stages so that the planning goals make the plan become a reality.

Family farming and ranching has many external stressors which cannot be controlled such as commodity prices and weather. Don’t let lack of planning create additional stressors in your life.