<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<style type="text/css" style="display:none;"> P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;} </style>
</head>
<body dir="ltr">
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
Today’s Farm Tip Tuesday comes from the latest ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture podcast episode. This episode is the first in a two-part series featuring NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Kara Kroeger talking with family members Glenn, Melanie, and Linnaea
Elzinga from <a href="https://www.alderspring.com/" title="https://www.alderspring.com/">
Alderspring Ranch</a> in Idaho. Glenn and his family raise wild, organic grass-fed beef on their remote family ranch and deliver their products to customers across the nation. In this episode, they discuss the family dynamics they have cultivated, how each
family member determines his or her role and the effects of COVID-19, among other topics.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
Following are ways the Elzingas keep everyone on the same page and handle differences of opinion. Although the Elzinga family’s operation is a livestock ranch with nine family members plus other employees, their strategies can be helpful for any size farm or
ranch.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
<b>Keeping everyone on the same page:</b><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Communication is key: they use face-to-face meetings, texts, and Facebook messages to keep everyone in the loop.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- During the field season when the cattle are grazing the family’s 70 square mile rangeland, the Elzingas have weekly face-to-face meetings with those who are coming back from, or leaving for, the range. They meet daily with those who work on the home ranch.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- As a team, they go through a list of priorities and decide what they want to focus on.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- They know that mistakes happen sometimes, and that’s okay.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
<b>Handling differences of opinion:</b><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Communication is key!<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Keep in mind that you’re all on the same team.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Realize that differences of opinion are valuable and help you see things in a different way.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Make sure everyone feels like they’re contributing.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Compromise and come to a consensus.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">
- Learn from times of conflict and move forward.<o:p> </o:p></p>
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">To
hear more about Alderspring Ranch, including how they handle communicating with interns, listen to the entire podcast episode
<a href="https://attra.ncat.org/episode-189-alderspring-ranch-part-1/" title="https://attra.ncat.org/episode-189-alderspring-ranch-part-1/">
here</a>. And watch for Part 2 of Kara’s conversation with the Elzingas, which will cover their innovative marketing.
</span><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
*****</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don't forget to apply for the upcoming Virtual Armed to Farm training! This FREE virtual training will take place</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> in
six Zoom sessions during April and May. For more information, visit </span><a href="https://www.ncat.org/armed-to-farm-events/#ATF-virtu" id="LPlnk" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.ncat.org/armed-to-farm-events/#ATF-virtu</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Best regards,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div>
<div id="Signature">
<div>
<div id="divtagdefaultwrapper" dir="ltr" style="font-size:12pt; color:#000000; font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif">
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b><span style="color:rgb(0,111,201)">Robyn Metzger</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Program Specialist/Armed to Farm Coordinator</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="http://www.ncat.org/armedtofarm" class="OWAAutoLink">www.ncat.org/armedtofarm</a></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="http://www.attra.ncat.org" class="OWAAutoLink">www.attra.ncat.org</a></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">479-442-9824<br>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="_Entity _EType_OWALinkPreview _EId_OWALinkPreview _EReadonly_1"></div>
<br>
</body>
</html>