If you heard Darren Frye speak at the Farm Futures Business Summit this past week and remember he mentioned a few helpful books to read, here's the list:

• The Leadership Challenge - by Kouzes & Posner
• Crucial Conversations & Crucial Confrontations - by Kerry Patterson (and others)
• QBQ (The Question Behind the Question) - by John G. Miller
• First, Break All the Rules - by Marcus Buckingham

Today, Darren Frye, President and CEO, and Arlan Suderman, Senior Market Analyst at Water Street Solutions, each spoke at the Farm Futures Business Summit in St. Louis.  Darren's speech helped farmers learn how to build their business model using core values.  Arlan discussed "Agriculture Beyond the Fiscal Cliff" and market implications in his session.

A good New Year's resolution for 2013 might be working on our communication skills.  Managing and working with others to reach our goals is getting to be more important in our farm businesses as we move toward success.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talks about some tips for this in his weekly Finance First post on www.farmfutures.com.  Read it HERE.

If you'd like to see the session that Darren talks about in the post, Conflict Management on the Farm - Laurie Richards will present it again at our Ag Edge meetings in Peoria, IL and Indianapolis, IN.  Check the full schedule and sign up HERE.

It's that time of the year when we're getting together.  If we've been away from home, we see how our parents are aging and think about the future of the farm.  Now's a perfect time to talk about legacy planning.  Brian Hensley, Legacy Advisor with Water Street Solutions talks here with Dewey Nelson from KRVN about this sometimes thorny topic.  Use Family Get Togethers to Start the Legacy Conversation Hensley AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Use Family Get Togethers to Start the Legacy Conversation

This week is a great time to bring up the awkward topic of what will happen to the farm.  The family's together.  The presents are opened.  It's snowing.  So sit around and talk about what each of you wants for your future.  And if you can't get started, listen to this cheesy interview with Water Street's David Dam and Dewey Nelson from KRVN to jump start your thinking.   Legacy Planning and the Holidays Dam AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Legacy Planning and the Holidays

Here's something you might have asked Santa for....that could REALLY impact the ability to succeed on your farm.  Better communication skills.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talks about this in his weekly Finance First post on www.farmfutures.com.  Read it HERE.

If you'd like to see this session on Conflict Management on the Farm, Laurie Richards is presenting it again at our Ag Edge meetings in Peoria, IL and Indianapolis, IN.  Check the schedule and sign up HERE.

Merry Christmas to you!  Today Water Street Solutions Senior Market Analyst Arlan Suderman discusses the fundamental factors in the market with farm broadcaster John Jenkinson.   Arlan Tuesday December 25 2012 945am report

Invest in yourself this winter through learning and working on your business skills.  Join us for a unique learning opportunity at the Ag Edge Farm Business Seminar.  Gain new insights from speakers.  Sharpen your business and management skills.  Network with other like-minded farmers.

The hotel reservation deadline for Ag Edge in Peoria, Illinois is quickly approaching - December 26th. The deadline to register for the seminar is January 7th.  Click here to learn more about this winter's Ag Edge seminars and register online to take your farm business to the next level.

Have you thought about the value of your farm estate?  What about the current value of it, with the large increases that we've seen in land prices?  It's important to think about that as you're making your legacy plans.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions talks through the issue with Dewey Nelson from KRVN.   Land Prices and the Impact on Your Estate Plan Frye AUDIO

For the text of the interview, click here: Land Prices and the Impact on Your Estate Plan

With the holidays coming, chances are you'll be spending quite a bit of time with family.  In farm families, relationships can get a little more complicated when the talk turns to legacy planning.  Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions, talks about how the greatest gift this year is keeping peace in the family with a plan that addresses fairness - toward on- and off-farm siblings - in this week's Finance First post on www.farmfutures.com.  Read the article HERE.