Eric Bergeron is co-founder of Smart Greens, a Canadian food production company that is expanding into a network of farmers across the country.
Eric has helped several farmers learn to farm through equipment and training, and he has noticed that all good farmers have a similar philosophy about learning: they learn through training, then they learn through doing.
Learning = research + adaptation
Good entrepreneurs are willing to put in the hard work to learn their business. This process has two parts:
1) Learning through preparation, research, training, etc.
From farmers, this means taking farm classes, tours & training, getting farmer tips, conversations with mentors, and research.
2) Learning through experience, adaptation, and the school of life.
From farmers, this means running test systems and responding to the real life struggle of running a farm.
While training and research is necessary for wise management, good farmers know that the roll-up-your-sleeves moment is critical.
When that time comes, farmers need to be willing to adapt!
Eric trains farmers individually to get them ready for this moment before they take the reins and start responding to the farm on their own.
When a new grower embarks on their journey, however, they’ve got an inevitable learning curve to scale. How they prepare for that challenge and how they approach it often marks the difference between a defeat and a comeback.
What do you think is the most important trait for good farmers do have?
Farming can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding careers, especially in today’s world. Consumers are calling for fresher and more local food, and the market is vibrant with opportunities for small farmers.
But farming has never been a “get rich quick” job. It takes grit, a learning attitude, and a dash of innovation. What else does it take? What traits mark successful small farmers?
Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
