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Vision

Vision is knowing where "you-all" want yourselves, your family, and your farm to be 5 to 10 years from now. It is a planned destination. We all need to have a vision of what we want out of life. Preferably we should write it down and review it on a regular basis. Remember:

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

The vision needs to be larger than the farm. Visioning is one important way to see how the farm operation fits into the rest of life. We need to answer the question: How do my activities and commitments in the home and community (school, church, local organizations) relate to my vision of the farm?

I use the term "you-all" since a successful vision should include all members of the management team. These can be the members of a farm family or hired managers on a larger commercial operation. All team members should have a vision of what they want or need. The vision for the family farm or farm business should help the individual achieve the visions they have for themselves. Team work occurs best when the team members share in developing a group vision.

The vision for the farm operation should include things such as:

• how you want the farm and home to look,
• how you want to spend your time in work, family, and community activities,
• what quality of life standards you want, including financial security and time commitments.

Your personal values play a big part in determining your vision. Your vision will change with your experience, accomplishments, and stage in life.

Vision statement

A vision statement sets down the long-term vision or purpose of an individual or organization. In the family farm context, a vision needs to include more than the farm operation since the farm is only part of the family activities.

Example of a Vision Statement:

"We work to raise our family on a small farm to teach our children good work ethics, and to provide a second income to help pay for our children's college education. We work to have that farm be a well-kept attractive homestead."