The revolution is here

Kelli Rodda

Cold sweat. Sweaty palms. Headache.

Does change make you feel this way? Welcome to the club. Change is one of the scariest prospects in a professional or personal situation. And folks, it’s time to buck up and accept change — no, embrace it.

We’re nearing the end of another challenging year in terms of the economy and finances. And it’s the right time to evaluate the good and the bad that came from this year then identify changes needed in production, staff, equipment, crops, marketing and accounting. To heck with New Year’s resolutions – let’s start a New Year’s revolution.

Change is inevitable to achieve success. It’s necessary to innovate. It’s essential to personal and professional growth. Some basic yet vital concepts are presented in this month’s state of the industry issue. Know your production costs intimately. No more guesstimating. (See page 30.) Understand and clearly convey the value of your products. Plants must be seen by consumers as necessities, not luxuries.

(See page 24.) And when those two points are achieved, it’s likely time to raise your prices (See page 34).

Mistakes will happen, but learn from them. Despite what your 8th grade football coach told you, failure is an option. But fear is not an option. Remember, even if you stumble, you’re still moving forward. I don’t know who penned that phrase, but I’ve tacked it to my office bulletin board. I also like what American writer Elbert Hubbard said more than 100 years ago. “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”

Let go of the fear and help revolutionize this industry.