Working With Farm Family Businesses: Some Suggestions and Procedures for Quality Advising

Abstract

This publication illustrates strategies and techniques utilized by four experienced and effective Cornell University professionals who collectively worked with thousands of farm families to resolve management and personal issues affecting farm profitability. A connection that all authors have is an affiliation with NY FarmNet, an organization that provides free, confidential consulting to farm families in New York State and is part of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. Suggestions contained in this publication are the culmination of a consulting strategy and tactics that evolved over successful careers working with farm families. A key objective in developing this publication was to provide consultants with tips and strategies to best handle consulting sessions – from preparation to follow up.