Anyone who has met me since
I joined the magazine knows
that I wasn’t raised on a farm;
my father proudly served in the
United States Army for nearly 25
years. However, my family and my
husband’s family for that matter
have been grounded for generations
in American agriculture. So, while
I’m not a farmer’s daughter, I am a
woman with a deep connection to
and appreciation of agriculture.
That relationship with this
industry has grown and become
enriched during my professional
career. I have developed a personal
love of this business and tremendous
respect and admiration for
those who toil on a daily basis to
bring such a tremendous bounty to
our state, nation and world. This
month’s issue is a snapshot of our
world in this moment. It reflects
the state of a staple citrus crop,advances in technology, opportunities
for better business management
and the general comings-and-goings
that we have come to expect.
In it’s ordinariness it gets me to
wonder how are we really doing? As
I write this I’ve had two breaking
news alerts today alone regarding the
stock market’s latest change. They’ve
become so common place that I barely
pay them any mind any more. The
very presence of the updates, though,
has caused quite a few of us to pause
and possibly worry.
And it’s hard not to worry, even
if only a little. A friend of mine who
works for the current administration,
and is very connected to the powers
that be, tells me we haven’t hit rock
bottom yet. Great. In the very next
breath, though, he firmly states that
even with more to come, we will be
ok. He’s pretty convincing, but then
again, he works in the political inner
circle, he has to be convincing.
He had another point that merits
sharing. My friend said that
what we can and should be doing
is taking stock of our businesses.
Our December issue will focus on
financial planning and money management I mention it now because
I need to plant the seed and get you
to start thinking about it sooner
rather than later. And, as my friend
advises, this needs to be a topto-
bottom review, preferably with
your banker or financial planner
integrally involved.
While time is precious and really
we could all use a 30 hour day,
force yourself to find the time. Pull
together all your records, jot down
your financial management procedures
(if you don’t have standard
operating procedures) and then make
the appointment with your expert.
Our December book will give
you tips and suggestions for the
New Year. With these in hand,
consider what you can be doing
differently – from every possible
angle. And then consider your contingency
plans. If it gets worse (I’m
an optimist) then what?
Are you prepared for new changes
in production costs? Have you given
thought to changes in personnel and
what expense that may bring? What
happens if the new administration
slaps on new environmental fines?
Think about how your current business could potentially change and do
your best to prepare. It’s worth the
time and money now to have it as
opposed to not.
I realize that having these discussions
about the uncertain future
are not ideal, nor are they how
you’d prefer to spend your precious
free time. But if you are the wise
business owners and industry leaders
I know you to be, you’ll push
beyond the distaste and do what
needs to be done. It’s your ability
to look adversity in the face and say
“bring it on” that makes you such a
force to be reckoned with. And it’s
why I fell in love with agriculture –
we just don’t quit
