319 | Farm Forward Conversations: Unpacking Family Dynamics and Succession with Elaine Froese
Today on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy highlights the upcoming Farm Forward Conference on Friday, March 27, at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Newton, Wisconsin. Presented in partnership with Zoetis, Menn Law, AgriGrowth Solutions, and Leading Edge Consulting, the event is designed to help farmers and advisors navigate farm transition—especially the hard conversations that often stall progress.
The day includes a hands-on workshop led by farm family transition coach Elaine Froese, along with an afternoon panel featuring legal, financial, and farmer perspectives. Attendees will walk away with practical next steps, communication tools, and greater clarity around transition planning.
In the podcast interview, Elaine shares her background as a farm-raised home economist and certified conflict-resolution coach. She explains her coaching process and the tools she uses to help families move through procrastination, avoid unnecessary conflict, and separate family dynamics from business decisions.
She emphasizes the importance of financial transparency, regular family meetings, clearly defined expectations and timelines, and understanding that fairness does not always mean equality. The conversation also addresses retirement planning, long-term care considerations, and how to reduce anxiety around money and scarcity.
Join us for the Farm Forward Conference
Friday, March 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
7001 Gass Lake Rd, Manitowoc, WI
Register Here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260474594709165
For more from Elaine Froese:
www.ElaineFroese.com
elaine@elainefroese.com
Conflict Dynamics Profile: https://elainefroese.com/coaching/conflict-dynamics-profile/
Farm Family Harmony Podcast: www.farmfamilyharmonypodcast.com
00:00 – Farm Transition Anxiety
00:27 – Farm Forward Conference Overview
01:53 – Meet Elaine Froese
04:39 – How Her Coaching Process Works
07:44 – Addressing the “Bull in the Room”
10:11 – Common Transition Misconceptions
14:49 – Why Clarity and Timelines Matter
20:20 – Fair vs. Equal in Farm Transitions
25:48 – Retirement and Financial Realities
29:51 – Effective Advisor and Family Meetings
34:37 – When Change Stalls
37:56 – Vulnerability and Shared Goals
41:01 – Conference Details and Next Steps
42:54 – Coach on Call in the Hall
44:51 – Final Takeaways
