Human resource issues on the farm bring their own set of challenges.  As farm owners, we can feel like we don't have a lot of options.  Dean Heffta, Director of Development with Water Street Solutions talks with Ken Rahjes of KRVN about the kinds of employees you want to avoid.  Who Not to Employ on the Farm - Heffta AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Who Not to Employ on the Farm

It's a blessing we in agriculture have during this economy....money at the end of the year.  Profit.  So what did you do with it?  From a strategic perspective, some choices are better than others.  This week Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talks about these choices - including some feedback from farmers - in his Finance First post on www.farmfutures.com.  Read it here.

One of the biggest challenges faced by farmers is finding new ground to rent. Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions, provides some ideas in the Illinois AgriNews on how to create strong relationships with farmland owners and potential landlords. Keeping up a strong relationship with your landlords might be one of the most important things on your to-do list.

ILAgrinews_2012Jan_BuildLandlordRelationship

Whenever you're building a relationship with someone new, trust is a factor - especially if that new person on the farm is a financial or marketing advisor who is going to have access to your financial information.  It's important to pay attention to why an advisor wants your business and their motivations for that, according to Dean Heffta, Director of Development at Water Street Solutions.  Here he visits with Ken Rahjes from KRVN about the issue.  It All Comes Down to Intent - Heffta AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Hiring an Advisor - What is Their Intent?

The end of this year will likely bring a change in the structure of the estate tax law.  Currently we're under a somewhat favorable exemption when it comes to passing the farm from one generation to the next.  Ben Metzger is a Director at Water Street Solutions.  He heads up the Legacy Department.  Here he talks with Ken Rahjes from KRVN about this issue.  The Uncertainty of Estate Tax Law - Metzger AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: The Uncertainty of Estate Tax Law

Sometimes we still think about crop insurance the old fashioned way....that it's only there to protect us from Mother Nature.  If you haven't ramped up your knowledge on crop insurance in a while, there's a lot to know about how it can protect you against price fluctuations as well.  Here Water Street Solutions Crop Insurance Sales Manager Steve Jackson talks with Ken Rahjes of KRVN about this.  Crop Insurance is about More than Just Yield - Jackson AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Crop Insurance is About More Than Just Yield

This year there's also a new option that comes privately from the Climate Corporation, Total Weather Insurance.  Water Street Solutions has twelve Premier Agents that can help you with Total Weather Insurance.  Call (309) 680-1200 with questions or to be connected to the Premier Agent in your area.

All recovered from the holidays?  Now it's time to think about the family you just saw, the future you've built for them and how to pass on your legacy.  Ben Metzger is a Director with Water Street Solutions.  He heads up our Legacy Department and talks here with Ken Rahjes from KRVN.

Make Farm Legacy Planning Your New Years Resolution - Metzger AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Make Farm Legacy Planning Your New Year's Resolution