Last month Crediton Milling Company were thrilled to host Amy Hughes, EmpowerAg Ltd. in the delivery of a new course that aims to address a critical gap in agricultural training focused on the essential ‘human skills’ needed to run a modern farm business. Supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, the course invests in farmers as people, moving beyond purely technical training.
Have you ever felt that you weren’t listened to on farm or that what you said got taken the wrong way? Have you ever taken the time to think about how and what you say in the heat of the moment? We all know that there are certain times in the farming calendar that can cause tricky conversations i.e. sheeting down the silage clamp, TB testing, moving cattle or sheep, the list is endless! Have we ever thought that perhaps discussing important business topics may be better left to another time? By questioning your own thinking, you can avoid acting on faulty assumptions. This may give you the invaluable gift of being able to calmly explain your own thinking and helping understand someone else’s.
The GRIP (Goals, Reality, Insights, Planning) course offered practical tools for improving communication and self-awareness, as well as awareness of others, to empower individuals in farming to drive positive change. Attendees learnt to create a clear vision for their business and develop the skills to bring family and team members along with them, tackling common challenges like difficult conversations, resistance to change and unwanted behaviours.
"For too long, we've assumed that the 'human skills' needed for resilience and good relationships come naturally to people, but that's simply not the case," said Amy Hughes, founder of EmpowerAg Ltd. "This course was created to fill that gap by investing in the person at the heart of the business, giving them the confidence and skills to lead effectively."
Too often, we make excuses for our own behaviour and are unable to see the point of view of others. This course gave attendees the unique and valuable opportunity to reflect, think and explore new tools to improve communication and relationships within their farm businesses. Perhaps some personal reflection and consideration of the way we all communicate would make a positive difference to our farm businesses in 2026?
