2025 Young Producers Conference Focused on Transition Planning and Connections

By Lura Roti

At 23, Adam Wollschlager works three part-time jobs. The Lake Area Technical College graduate helps out on his family's diversified crop and cattle farm near Revillo. He works for area farmers helping them with planting and harvest. He also works part-time as an applicator and truck driver for LaBolt Farmers Grain.

As he juggles this complicated work schedule, Wollschlager keeps his end goal in mind - working fulltime on his family's farm.

"I grew up farming next to my grandpa, Ed and dad, Mark. The only thing I have ever known is how to farm. And I have always wanted to go back and farm full-time. So, I work all these jobs so that I can stay on my family's farm and not have to move to a larger town where I have one job but not the one job I love," Wollschlager explained.

His parents understand his goal and they are starting to discuss what the transition plan looks like. But they have a lot of questions.

"We are in the process of dad starting to turn over a bit of the farm to me. But there are a lot of things for us to try and figure out," Wollschlager said.

Tools for the next generation of family farmers and ranchers

Wollschlager is not alone, explained Karla Hofhenke, Executive Director for South Dakota Farmers Union.

"Most young farmers and ranchers who return home to work on their family farm or ranch after college know they want to build their career on the farm or ranch, but transitioning from one generation to the next is quite complex, so many do not have a plan in place," said Hofhenke, explaining this is the reason transition planning was a focus during the recent Farmers Union Young Producers Conference held in Fargo, North Dakota early January.

Wollschlager attended the conference with his girlfriend, Elizabeth DeBoer. A recent graduate of South Dakota State University, DeBoer also grew up on a family farm and like Wollschlager, she has plans to build her career in production agriculture.

"I didn't always plan to work in agriculture, but after starting college with a degree in music, I realized that I missed the team environment found in agriculture," DeBoer said. "Those of us who farm or ranch grow up helping our friends and neighbors. I didn't find this attitude in the other career field, and I really missed it."

DeBoer changed her degree focus from music to horticulture. She plans to one day operate a vegetable and cut flower business from a family farm.

"Adam and I talk about one day working together on his family's farm," DeBoer said.

She appreciated the opportunity Farmers Union provided to them to spend a weekend at a conference with other young producers focused on how to make family farms and ranches sustainable. The event was sponsored by Farmers Union at no cost to Farmers Union members.

"This was our first Farmers Union event, and we were impressed that this organization promotes education to young producers. Because as young producers we do need support and tools in the toolbox if we are going to be the next generation of family farmers and ranchers," DeBoer said.

In addition to transition planning, DeBoer, Wollschlager and the other young producers also attended a workshop to better understand their communications style and ways to better relate to other communication styles; received a Farm Bill update from National Farmers Union staff and had an opportunity to hear from Presidents of Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Participants also toured Grand Farm, an initiative to help develop solutions to pressing agriculture production challenges. To learn about upcoming young producer events, email [email protected].

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