Farm Management
Continuous Improvement
At the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA), through our Farm and Workforce Development (FWD) team, we are fostering a culture of Continuous Improvement within the agricultural community. Continuous Improvement (CI) aims to enhance operational processes by focusing on what adds value to your business, while eliminating wasteful activities.
In agriculture, there are many factors outside of a farm owner’s control, such as rising input costs, labour shortages, and fluctuating market prices. Our goal is to empower farm operators to improve what they can control—streamlining processes, improving products and services, and increasing operational efficiency, so that they can do more with less.
Traditional thinking may suggest, “We’ve managed this far,” or “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” However, with a mindset rooted in Continuous Improvement, this changes to “There is always a better way, and we just need to find it” and “Today’s actions can make tomorrow better.”
How Continuous Improvement Practices Can Benefit Your Operation
Standardization of work
Standardizing the tasks on your farm helps prevent mistakes, enhances product quality, and reduces costs. One example is the implementation of ‘Employee Standard Work.’ In a processing line, this may include visuals that guide employees on what tasks to perform, how to do them, the expected pace and quality, and how to ensure safety. This can be a key part of streamlining employee onboarding and operations.
5S Methodology
The 5S methodology is a lean technique that aims to create a clean, organized, and safe work environment, which can significantly improve productivity. The five S’s are:
- Sort: Remove unnecessary items from the workspace.
- Set in order: Organize tools and materials to improve workflow.
- Shine: Clean and maintain work areas.
- Standardize: Develop consistent processes and procedures.
- Sustain: Maintain and improve standards over time.
We offer a 5S worksheet to help you implement this strategy effectively on your farm.
8 Areas of Waste
The following are common areas where inefficiencies can be found in your operations, which are known as the “8 Wastes”:
- Transportation
- Inventory
- Motion
- Waiting
- Overprocessing
- Overproduction
- Defects
- Skills
A quick guide on these areas is available to help you identify waste in your business.
Comprehensive Guides for Your Business
For farmers looking to create a leaner business, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers an extensive guide on becoming more efficient. You can download it here for detailed insights.
In addition, the NSFA is offering opportunities for farm tours led by consultants to explore potential efficiencies. These “waste walks” allow farmers to walk through their operations with experts to identify areas for improvement and foster peer learning. For more information, reach out to farmandworkforce@nsfa-fane.ca or call our office at 902-893-2293.
Online Learning Opportunities
The NSFA SkillsPass Platform offers free, online, self-paced courses for those interested in improving operational efficiency. Some of the courses available include:
- Lean Productivity: An introduction to productivity in the workplace.
- Understanding Lead Production: Learn about value stream mapping, improving flow and pull, and reducing waste.
Visit SkillsPass to create an account and start learning today.
Continuous Improvement Experts
If you are interested in working with CI experts to implement strategies tailored to your farm, here are some professionals who have experience working with agricultural operations in Nova Scotia:
Gary Cox
- Role: Process Improvement Trainer/Coach with Barrington Consulting Group
- Email: gcox@barringtongrp.ca
- Phone: 902-292-5906
- Experience: Gary has worked with several farms, including Lindenright Holsteins, Maplewood Farms, and Greenough Family Farm. He specializes in process improvement, efficiency, and operations management.
Robert Newcombe
- Role: Founder/Owner of Newcombe Consulting
- Email: robert@newcombeconsults.com
- Phone: 902-233-8491
- Experience: Robert, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, has worked with numerous agriculture organizations and farms, including CAP Farms and Eden Valley Poultry. His firm specializes in operational efficiency, and he integrates cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence.
Jeff Ainslie
- Role: Managing Partner with 2020 Consulting Inc.
- Email: jeff@2020consulting.ca
- Phone: 902-497-1717
- Experience: Jeff offers one-on-one consulting and lean training for farms. His expertise spans many industries, and he specializes in making processes more efficient and reliable. He led the farm tour at the NSFA’s Efficiency Symposium in 2023.
Reach Out to Us
Our Farm and Workforce Development team is here to help farmers implement Continuous Improvement practices. If you’re ready to take the next step in improving your operation or want more information on available resources, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at farmandworkforce@nsfa-fane.ca or call 902-893-2293.
Let’s work together to build a stronger, more efficient, and sustainable future for Nova Scotia’s agricultural industry.