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Do you know you need help in your farm office, but the thought of delegating feels like another job to add to the list?

I’ve been there. For a long time, I knew I had too much to do, but I was caught up worrying about what to delegate, how to explain it, whether it would be done properly and whether I could justify paying someone to help.

In this episode of Farm Office Toolbox, I’m sharing why I eventually chose to employ a part-time administrative assistant and some of the mindset shifts I had to make before I could let go of some of my farm admin.

I talk about how my farm office systems and simple checklists helped me break the enormous job of “doing the books” into smaller, manageable tasks. That made it much easier to see what I was good at, what I enjoyed doing and what could be handed to someone else.

I also share my earlier experience of employing a housekeeper when my children were little, and why getting the right help at the right time made such a difference to our family and our farm business.

Delegation isn’t only about farm productivity or time management. For me, it has also meant challenging some deeply held ideas about what a farm woman, wife and mother should be able to manage on her own.

Every farm business pays for its administration one way or another. We can pay proactively through our own time, an employee, a contractor or professional farm business support. Or we pay for it when things slip through the cracks through mistakes, fines, missed opportunities, burnout and precious family time.

If your mental load is telling you that you need some help, I hope this episode gives you the confidence to consider what kind of support might work for you.

What is one farm office task you would happily hand over tomorrow? Come and tell me and connect with me at @farmofficetoolbox

Got a question?? Ask here ->

Are you feeling confused by all the talk about changes to the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) and wondering what it means for your farm business?

If you're responsible for payroll, managing staff or keeping the farm office running, this episode will help you make sense of what matters without adding to your mental load.

In this episode, I sit down with HR specialist Kaitlin Trebley from Sort HR to talk about what the recent BOOT discussions mean for Australian farming businesses and why it's important to understand which employment system your business falls under.

We talk through who the changes apply to, why they have become such a hot topic and the practical steps you can take to review your current payroll systems. This conversation isn't legal advice, but it will give you the understanding and confidence to ask the right questions and identify where your farm office may need attention.

We also discuss practical ways to simplify payroll, the importance of accurate time records, reviewing employee classifications, using payroll software effectively and why strong employment contracts and simple HR systems can save you a lot of stress down the track. If you've been wondering whether your current approach is still fit for purpose, this episode will help you understand your options and feel more prepared for the season ahead.

What systems have you put in place to manage payroll and HR on your farm? Or has this episode highlighted something you'd like to review before your next busy season?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Send me a message or share your experience with me on Instagram at @farmofficetoolbox Your questions and stories help shape future episodes and remind us we're all learning together.

References mentioned in this episode

• Kaitlin on LInkedIn
• Sort HR on Instagram @sort.hr
• Sort HR on Facebook
• Connect with Lisa on Instagram @farmofficetoolbox