Sam Wildman

Navigating life as a husband, father of 2 boys, sustainable ag specialist. Go Bucks! All thoughts my own.

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@jeremyndavis I’ll be honest, it brings me a level of joy to see them at the bottom of the B1G.

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

We are our own biggest critics!

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

Feeling nervous doesn't mean you're unprepared. It means you care about something beyond your control.

Anxiety is a caricature artist. It magnifies flaws and minimizes strengths.

Gaining confidence is not about denying what could go wrong. It’s about recognizing what might go right.

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Made the most of the likely last warm weekend on October. Love being outside with these boys!

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Things that you learn as a 2x parent…if you put the kid in diapers 2 sizes up they sleep all night long because they feel dry lol. #dadhack #momapproved

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Get after it boys!

[Buckeye Empire @BuckeyeEmpire]

Need THIS type of running game Saturday. Crazy to think it's been 10 years.

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Good one internet!

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@_MLFootball @M1ke_Hu55le Today is not your day…

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@jeremyndavis I remember the ones that you has to screw into the ear of corn and the would always be sideways lol

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@clintwfischer now run it back for the off the farm siblings who want to see parents farm and legacy finish strong whatever that future looks like.

[Clint Fischer @clintwfischer]

A farm son in his 30's is uncertain about his family's future involvement in his dad's farm. When the succession topic comes up, Dad gets defensive or avoids discussing it.

How does Son approach that conversation?

Some version of this question is frequently asked in the ag world.

My advice is:

First, I don't have a silver bullet answer since each scenario is unique, but generally

1. Approach with humility & not entitlement
2. Explain you're planning for your family's future
3. Timing is key: avoid stressful seasons/times to discuss

Let's add some context to these...

1. Recognize & honor the farm has likely been your parents' life's work and it is theirs to do with as they choose. The conversation is one of gratefulness for what they've built and you're not entitled to inherit/take over any part of it just because you share a last name.

2. Your young family is growing and you're trying to be a leader and provider for your wife & kids. Part of that role is to make plans for the financial and lifestyle future of your family. You'd love for those future plans to include building on the legacy and heritage your parents have built.

Without knowing what will happen to the farm in the coming years, it makes it difficult for you to lay out your family's 5, 10, 15 yr plans. That's why this discussion is important to you and your parent's grandkids.

3. You've likely been helping on the farm, either as a full time hired hand or at a minimum during the peak busy seasons. You've seen when Mom & Dad are stressed and when they're not. For the best outcomes, this succession conversation ought to be approached at a low-stress time where all the sides can think & respond level-headed and not with heightened emotions.

---

If you've had that conversation, then you can take that info and plan for your family's future accordingly. If that means taking over the farm, then you help get their transition plan documented in writing. If it means things are up in the air, then make plans for your family assuming you'll not be inheriting/taking over the farm. If something changes down the road with their succession plan, consider it a windfall opportunity, but don't rely on it.

A few other tips:

-Consider mentioning there are advisors out there who help wrangle all the moving pieces of farm transition planning

-Consider writing your thoughts and motivations in a letter which your parents can review prior to discussions. This prevents them from being caught off guard and allows for time to formulate beneficial conversations

-Remember succession planning is easily procrastinated, but one thing we can all be sure of: nobody leaves this world alive. So don't give up after one attempt at having the conversation.

-Transition plans can change as family dynamics and farm business situations change. If there is a plan in place, ensure it's reviewed and updated occasionally.

This is one of the types of topics we discuss over at Braintrust Ag and I have learned a ton from other members who have successfully transitioned operations.

Hopefully we can all work towards preserving as many family farms and ranches as possible through having these succession planning conversations.

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@zjhunn I would buy a bigger one if I could. Ours is perfect for college kids but not big enough for toddlers!!

[Clint Fischer @clintwfischer]

I tried being “cute” and “coy” and “clever” about asking the internet for help with Braintrust Ag.

Here’s evidence of that: https://t.co/vgvVOiEm1i

Clearly that was a mistake since applications were almost non-existent.
Which, I guess if we’re not making mistakes we’re not trying new things and learning. But, man, it would feel so much better if every shot we took was a nothing-but-net 3 pointer.

Not the case this time, so instead I’ll be direct and straightforward with you:

I need some help.

Help recruiting; help writing; help creating content; and help boosting the experience for members.

If you’re an ambitious person in agriculture, these opportunities are the real deal.

1. Recruiting
Call it “sales” if you want.
-Recruit new members
-Sign up new Pro Providers
-Build out Affiliate and Referral programs to reach the masses.

You earn 25% commission on each sale.

Here’s the gig: https://t.co/gdSiAqdTCE

2. Writing
Blog posts and email newsletters don’t write themselves…
-Research subjects
-Write posts
-Bonus points if you can compile a newsletter in Beehiiv.

All focused on the North Star of helping ag folks start, grow, and transition their farm/ranch/ag business operations.

Here’s the gig:
https://t.co/tT8ndocNq5

3. Membership Experience
Braintrust Ag members ought to expect a high level of engagement.

We use Circle as our membership platform. I could use help improving the functionality of our Circle peer group.

If you’re skilled in community organizing and can learn Circle, I’d love to talk.
Email: [email protected]

We’re sitting on a powder keg with Braintrust Ag. Just looking for help lighting the fuse…
The agricultural topics we discuss: business, succession planning, leadership, opportunities, etc resonate across borders, regions, production practices, and generations.

My bandwidth is maxed with my growing family and legal practice. Therefore, I’m asking for help to build this beginning-phased beauty into an agricultural beast.

With gratitude,
-Clint
https://t.co/4ZX2gLAAqP

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

It was a straight up heist!

[College Football Alerts  @CFBAlerts_]

20 days until college football is back.

Was this one of the worst calls in sports history? 👀

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Truth.

[Kolton Woods @wx_woods]

This new Progressive commercial taking aim at weather nerds is so funny 😂😭🤣

Got a good laugh out of me watching the TV tonight! lol!

[Reads with Ravi @readswithravi]

20 Must-Read Nonfiction Book's Visual Summary:

1) Atomic Habits by James Clear

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

@LeightonKolk Very cool use of up cycling to reduce food waste! No spud left behind! Also silage packing is one of my favorite views on ag Twitter. It’s like synchronized diving!

[Sam Wildman @TheSamWildman]

Love all the pork tenderloins!

[Catch Des Moines @catchdesmoines]

As the unofficial state sandwich of Iowa, the breaded pork tenderloin has a bit of a cult following here in Iowa. We sifted through the breadcrumbs and rounded up the best tenderloins in Greater Des Moines, as voted by locals. Love me tender, indeed.

https://t.co/iBC0BJ08N6

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

Bad bosses insist that work comes first. They reward workaholism and punish outside interests.

Good bosses support balance. They encourage nights & weekends off.

Great bosses expect people to put loved ones above their jobs. They forbid missing important family events for work.