Transform Your Farm with Lean Thinking!
Work Smarter. Save time. Cut costs. Boost productivity. Improve results. Improve Profit.
All while building a farming business that's more enjoyable and sustainable.
It starts with Lean Thinking — practical tools and proven methods to help you achieve your goals.
Ready to change the way you farm?
Start your Lean journey today.
As featured in
The LeanFarm Project Story
Hi, I’m Jana Hocken — industrial engineer, former Toyota mechanical engineer, lean consultant, farmer, and author. My journey started in 2001 when I joined Toyota’s graduate program in Melbourne. My specialty was weld and press, but more importantly, I was immersed in the Toyota Production System — the birthplace of Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen. It was there I saw first-hand how powerful continuous improvement can be in transforming teams, operations, and culture. After honing my skills at Toyota Australia, I moved to Belgium to work with Toyota Motor Europe where I worked with engines and transmissions and also refined my knowledge of lean manufacturing. Eventually I wanted to take that expertise beyond Toyota, so I moved into consulting — helping companies across the globe implement Lean principles and radically improve performance.
Then in 2013, life took a turn.My husband and I moved to his 4th generation family farm in New Zealand, and suddenly I found myself in the world of agriculture. I continued my consulting work but every time I was on the farm, I noticed the same patterns: people constantly searching for tools, problems repeating themselves, everyone flat out busy — yet somehow, things weren’t getting done. That’s when it hit me: Why not apply the same Lean principles I was teaching around the world… to farming?
I tested it. It worked. In fact, it transformed our farm — from chaotic and reactive, to efficient, profitable, and far more enjoyable. And we’re not alone. Through The LeanFarm Project, I’ve now helped hundreds of farmers around the world achieve the same results. Because here’s the truth: Farming doesn’t need to be hard, chaotic, or overwhelming. With the right thinking and systems, it can run like a well-oiled machine — just like Toyota! So what are you waiting for!!! Join farms like ours and start your lean journey!!!
200+
Workshops
3000+
Dairy Farmers
1000+
Sheep & beef farmers
200+
Arable/hort
farmers
15+
Countries
Why farmers love lean!
“Thank you so much for the workshop you gave us in Marton last Friday. I found it absolutely inspirational & it will change my life.” - Chris Turner, Beef Farmer, Manawatu
“The lean farm course has made all out team realise how much time we were wasting and with even just a few easy improvements it has made such a difference I would definitely recommend doing this course as it's help us and our staff to become more organised.” – Justin Ohearn, Share Milker, Waikato
“In a farming world which is becoming increasingly multi-faceted, a LeanFarm approach is both relevant and essential. The emphasis on "continuous improvement" is a realistic and achievable goal . In my experience many farmers unconsciously act with a "Lean" philosophy in mind; this course adds to your knowledge-base, challenges your practice and provides resources and skills that will benefit the whole team. One of the best courses I have attended for tools to achieve and maintain valuable outcomes for your business at a practical and strategic level.” Katrina Barber, Farm Owner, Manawatu
“We loved your course so much. It has been so invaluable to our farm. Our team is all on board and excited with what we have already implemented and the improvements it has already made. Can't wait to keep the momentum going and continue to see the improvements in the coming years.” - Tracy and Steve Henderson, Share Milkers, Southland
“Jana and Lean Farming Systems have made me realise how small, simple, cumulative changes in our business are worth so much!” – Rachel Joblin, Farmer, Wairarapa
“As farmers we tend to stick to what we know because well it's what we know but it's a changing world that requires us to improve and raise the standard or else our business will get left behind. Lean was really good in that it made me feel uncomfortable with the status quo and forced me to relook ,re evaluate and change. Bearing in mind Rome wasn't built in a day.” – Matthew Wright, Farm Manager, Taranaki
“If all farms had these systems in place, it would be much easier for staff to do their jobs, and less frustration all round. A great course, well worthwhile.” Wendy and John Allen, Farm Owners, Manawatu
“We have about 6 staff in our farming operation and have been making slow progress in the area of efficiency, where we could see a lot of wastage in many areas. Your lean management course could not have come at a better time as it has given us the skills and tools to move forward in a meaningful manner. It is now a matter of spending time working on our business using what we have learnt to see some real advancements, which I know will make a huge difference. Thank you.” - Malcolm Reynolds, Farm Owner, Waikato
“Recently I attended a full day workshop with Jana (the Lean Dairy Farm). It was the best learning/growth event I had attended in a long time! For me it was awesome to get the affirmation that the path we were taking our business on had led others to great success! Jana shared many stories, tips and tools to dot the I’s and cross the T’s to take our business to the next level. I believe adopting a Lean approach will result in - Engaged Communication through Systems to create Efficient Productive Happy Teams!" Fraser Avery, Farm Owner, Bonavaree Farm (Marlborough Sheep and Beef Farmer of the Year 2019)
What is Lean Thinking?
Lean Thinking (also known as Lean Management or Lean Manufacturing) is a holistic business philosophy that can transform how your farm — or any business — operates. At its core, Lean aims to deliver exactly what the customer wants, at the highest quality, lowest cost, in the right quantity, on time, and with the highest standards of safety, animal welfare, ethics, and sustainability. It does this by relentlessly focusing on continuous improvement and the elimination of waste — anything that doesn’t add value.
The ultimate goal?
A farm that runs efficiently, delivers consistently, and is profitable, sustainable, and far more enjoyable to work in.
What Does This Mean for Your Farm?
✅ Less running around
✅ Less stress and firefighting
✅ Lower costs
✅ Fewer mistakes and rework
✅ More time for what matters
✅ A team that’s aligned, empowered, and productive
Whether you’re a dairy, sheep and beef, cropping, or horticulture operation — Lean helps you simplify, systemise, and improve your farm business. Lean helps you to work smarter not harder — so your farm works for you, not the other way around.
Jana talks Lean Farming
What does Farming have in common with Toyota?
“But Farming Isn’t Like Making Cars... Is It?”
You're right — farming is different. We deal with weather, animals, market fluctuations, and changing regulations — things outside our control. But here's the thing: There’s a lot on your farm you can control. And that’s where Lean comes in. Just like in a factory, your farm has:
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Inputs – people, animals, feed, equipment, land
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Processes – milking, feeding, fencing, harvesting
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Outputs – milk, meat, wool, crops
Lean helps you turn those inputs into high-quality outputs as efficiently as possible — with lower costs, less waste, better safety, and stronger animal welfare. What Lean Thinking can do for your Farm:
✅ Cuts out the chaos
✅ Solves recurring problems
✅ Standardises and simplifies daily tasks
✅ Gets the right things done, at the right time, in the right way
✅ Frees up time and reduces stress
Lean is not about turning your farm into a factory — it’s about applying smart, proven systems thinking to get better results, with less stress.
How we can help you
The LeanFarm Network
Join a global community of farmers all starting to implement lean thinking on their farms, plus join live bi-monthly Q&A sessions with Jana Hocken.
The LeanFarm Hub
Join not only our community of farmers, plus monthly live Q&A sessions, but also gain exclusive access to a portal full of lean resources, templates, videos, actions & more!
The LeanFarm School
Sign up to our incredible 12 module online training program that will teach you what lean thinking is and how to successfully implement it on your farm.
Free videos and resources
Enjoy some videos and blogs from our lean journey, showcasing how we are implementing lean tools and principles on our farm.















