“Decent, not the best…being all family-run except one from outside, [communication] is not the best, but it is getting better. That is a goal for 2006,” Veliquette explained.

Their goal is an important one according to Bernie Erven, an Ohio State professor who counsels farm families who work together. Speaking to farmers at this year’s Top Producer Seminar at the Hotel InterContinetal in Chicago, Erven says keeping the peace in the family farm business isn’t always easy, but the top manager must implement ways to keep communication open.
“It must be the top manager who is responsible for meetings,” Erven said. “Employee hand book, newsletter, whatever it takes; the top manager must be responsible for good communication.”
Veliquette said his family holds business meetings and is looking to write up job descriptions for all employees. Veliquette’s uncle Gene, who is one of the managers of the farm, says he tries to run the operation like a true business but family comes first.
“The best part about working with family, only family, is family comes first,” Gene Veliquette explained. “It’s really neat and seems like a good way for business to succeed.”
Professor Erven agrees there is a time to be a farm manager and a time to be “dad”, “grandpa” or “uncle”, and being able to wear one “hat” at a time is important. However, Erven said, perhaps the most important part of running a family farm is to remember to have fun.
“If the family isn’t having any fun, then nothing else matters,” said Erven. “Am I talking practical joke fun? No, I am talking about waking up in the morning and being excited to go to work.”