I have a duo in the studio today. Two folks who are no stranger to the farming industry, but specifically the financial and business side of it. So many of our producers in today’s world give their lives to a passion. The passion of problem solving, planting, protecting, growing, and harvesting often does not have a written plan. Putting something in writing can make it more real. It may be why some of us don’t have a written final will and testament. To do so would be to acknowledge our mortality. Leaving this world without a plan for the next generation leaves the family with emotions high grieving AND now juggling the business of farming. Self-worth and sweat equity may suddenly be valued less now that our loved one has gone on. Listen in as we wrestle with a bit of this.

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Rena Striegel, creator of The DIRTT Project, is an internationally recognized business coach and consultant with more than 20 years of experience working directly with farmers, ag leaders, senior executives, and entrepreneurs to identify and implement strategies that create growth and profitability. As President of Transition Point Business Advisors, she leads client projects in the areas of strategic planning, business succession, continuity planning, and employee/leadership development.

Rena grew up on a dairy and hog farm in What Cheer, Iowa. She is a certified business coach and holds an MBA from the University of Iowa. In addition to her hands-on work with business owners, she is a frequent contributor in farming publications such as Top Producer Magazine, Progressive Forage, Farm Journal, and Cattle Business Weekly.

Matt Roberts, MFM, CFP®, CAP®, is the Chief Planning Officer at Syverson Strege and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner. He is committed to serving others to enrich and empower their lives. His primary focus is to ensure clients maximize what they desire from their money and reach their personal and financial goals. Matt provides peace of mind, joy, and clarity of personal and family wealth through comprehensive financial planning strategies. He often says, “There are only three places you will leave your money when you are gone: your family, your community, or the government. It’s up to you to decide your legacy.” Matt also leads the firm’s Planning Committee, which is responsible for the oversight of the financial planning process. He earned his B.S. in finance from Iowa State University and a Master of Financial Management (MFM) degree from Drake University.