Our Values, Our Why & more about Our Founder

Our Values

A large tree with widespread roots extending across the ground and dense green foliage outdoors.

Trust is the foundation of lasting change

Person holding a compass outdoors against blurred landscape and blue sky background.

Impactful shifts start through uncovering and aligning with your unique values

People matter - engaging team members improves business resiliency and financial health

Core Purpose

FarmForward Strategies is dedicated to helping people and agribusinesses unlock and achieve their peak potential

Digging deeper…

We believe cultivating trust is essential for sustaining meaningful growth. Showing up for one another shouldn’t just be an empty cliché, it can be a springboard to success.

We believe your unique values are the GPS system necessary for navigating conflict and making important decisions. Uncovering and aligning with those values is crucial to sustaining a strong, resilient business.

We believe people are worth investing in and that everyone has the potential to create positive change. Actively engaging your teams in your business’ vision is key to success and investing in their development will strengthen your bottom line.

Our goal at FarmForward Strategies is to get to know you, first and foremost. We listen first, then partner to deliver practical, measurable improvements.

A foggy outdoor scene with a dirt path and wooden steps, surrounded by green trees and grass.
Donald Skinner, FarmForward Strategies founder, standing

Meet Donald, our founder

My Experience

Farming and agriculture have been a central part of my life from the beginning, as work on our family hog farm and as a “grunt” at a local feed mill were early teachers of the value in hard work. After earning an MSc and years as commercial swine nutritionist, I joined the strategic leadership team of a large feed manufacturer & hog production company. My experiences each taught me that success is rarely about just one thing or one person.

People, farms and other businesses are complex and solving the challenges that arise takes more than technical skill - it relies on open communication and a genuine desire to lean in and show up for each other. I’m deeply aware that leading and living this way is often much harder than it sounds. But I also know that when shared purpose exists, the results are transformative.

Why this work is important

Having worked closely with farm families and agribusinesses for years, I believe there is a need for support in this endeavour. Farm owners and business owner-operators wear a lot of different hats; it is hard to find the time and energy needed to properly sort through all of the strategic problem-solving and “people challenges” that come up. This is where I can help, by bridging the gap to free up your bandwidth.

Through my experience - ranging from work in the trenches to time as a leader, developing strategy and coordinating a team - I’ve learned success starts with people. Every role is a critical link in the chain and high-level strategy only works when people at every level are valued and engaged.

What’s next

Meaningful growth is intentional, rooted in trust and integrity. I am here to share my experience and help you accomplish the goals you have for yourself or your business. Whether it is working together one-on-one or sitting down with you and your team to help get everyone rowing the boat in the same direction, I am here with the mindset and skillset to help move you and your business forward.

Contact us

Interested? Fill out your info and sign up for a free, no obligation 15-minute introductory call!