Farm Horizons • April 3, 2017 • Page 12
Photo by Starrla Cray
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, extension dairy systems specialist with the University of Kentucky, shared small-farm strategies at the Carver County Dairy Expo Feb. 20.
Bewley said that when looking for workers, he doesn’ t necessarily look for the person with the most skill.“ I’ m looking for passion and a desire to learn,” he said.“ Good work ethic and someone who will treat others well.”
• Customers / Suppliers – A personal connection to
others in business can enhance success. Bewley said farmers can enhance their relationship with consumers by sharing information about their operation in daily conversation.
“ There are so many misconceptions about what goes on at dairy farms,” he said, explaining that farmers can contribute to an overall positive image of the dairy industry.
• Passion – Successful leaders love what they do. For farmers, working with the land and with animals is often highly rewarding, Bewley said. However, he added that“ it’ s easy to lose sight of it, particularly when times are hard.”
Farmers should evaluate their passion for the business, and know when it’ s time to change current methods, or even when it might be time to walk away.
Embracing change
Small farmers need to be adaptable.
Bewley illustrated this point with a quote from Charles Darwin –“ It’ s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” Bewley advised farmers to continually be learning, networking, and thinking of ways to increase revenue( not just decrease costs).
Small farmers should develop a business model, and strive for greatness in that area. The model will look different for different farms, such as organic, grazing, agri-tourism, marketing genetics, on-farm processing, high yield, contract heifer raising, contract feed, or partnerships with other farmers.
Bewley said a partnership could be something as simple as three neighbors who use the same teat dip purchasing together in order to get a volume discount.
“ I know a group in Kentucky that does this for some