Last week we lost one of the great people in our Farm Owners Academy community. 

Lloyd passed away at just 47 after a short battle with cancer. 

Some people leave a mark because of what they achieve. 

Others leave a mark because of how they make people feel. 

Lloyd did both. 

He was successful. 

Humble. 

Quick witted. 

The sort of bloke who always had a smile, always had time for a chat and somehow made everyone around him feel better just by being there. 

This week I attended his funeral virtually. 

As I listened to family and friends share stories about Lloyd, I found myself reflecting on the kind of life he had chosen to live. 

One thing really stood out. 

It wasn't the size of his business. 

It wasn't the machinery he'd bought. 

It wasn't the land he'd accumulated. 

It was the memories he'd created. 

The people he'd loved. 

The laughs he'd shared. 

The life he'd lived. 

I also felt incredibly humbled hearing Farm Owners Academy mentioned a number of times throughout the service. 

Not because our name was mentioned. 

Because it reminded me what success is really about. 

Yes, we help members build more profitable businesses. 

But that's never been the end goal. 

The goal has always been helping people build a life they're proud of. 

A business that gives them more time with the people they love. 

More memories. 

More laughter. 

More life. 

Listening to the stories about Lloyd, it was clear he'd done exactly that. 

He'd built a successful business. 

But somewhere along the journey, he also made another decision. 

He stopped believing that success meant hard work and sacrificing things that matter more. 

He prioritised his family. 

His mates. 

Travel. 

Experiences. 

The moments that become the stories people tell at your funeral. 

He still worked hard. 

He still built a great business. 

But the business was less stress, less obligation, less hard work. 

It became the vehicle for the life he wanted to live. 

I think that's something all of us need to be reminded of from time to time. 

It's so easy to convince ourselves that we'll spend more time with the family... 

After harvest. 

After seeding. 

After we buy the next block. 

After we get through this season. 

The trouble is... 

There's always another season. 

Another challenge. 

Another reason to put life on hold. 

Lloyd's life is a reminder that success isn't measured only by the business you build. 

It's measured by the life that business allows you to live. 

So today, there's just a question. 

Over the last two weeks... 

When did you choose work over something you actually value more? 

And what's one thing you could do differently next week? 

Not next month. 

Not next year. 

Next week. 

We lost a true gentleman of our community. 

We're all richer for having known Lloyd. 

And we'll miss him.

Regards 

Sam Johnsson
CEO, Farm Owners Academy