Josh Hoffman just completed his first year of school at Lake Area Technical College, working his way towards three degrees he hopes will assist him on the family farm.

As part of his final grade, he researched and wrote an essay titled "Passing the Farm Reins to the Future Farmer."

The essay addresses a challenge that many families in agriculture face: the family farm's transition from one generation to the next.

Hoffman's paper touched on a variety of topics, ranging from being a young farmer involved with daily operations to preparing for financial transfers of property and capital.

Being in the midst of a generational transfer spanning three generations at the Hoffman family's black Angus cattle farm near Leola, Hoffman wrote his essay with firsthand experience of the process.

Communication is key

"Communication is the biggest challenge I've seen," he said. "The trouble of allowing the farm to be passed on and not communicating with each other causes fighting and arguing."

In "Passing the Farm Reins to the Future Farmer," Hoffman stresses the importance of including everyone responsible for the farm in planning long-term goals. In his essay, he explains that those with their goals set and strategies in place with attorneys, consultants, financial advisors and accountants have a 47% greater chance of achieving them.

Ironing out conflicts early in the planning process is vital to the well-being of a farm and the health of family relationships. He witnessed conflicts within his family after his grandfather died.

"My grandpa died a year and a half ago. He was a very private person and didn't tell anybody anything. I've seen the breakdown of communication and damaged relationships firsthand. That helped with writing my essay," Hoffman said.

Passing along responsibilities is another vital step that Hoffman explains in his essay. This process takes time, patience and plenty of communication.

The benefits of working off the farm

Working off the farm gives the younger generation some perspective on the benefits of being self-employed, Hoffman explained in his essay. It also allows for learning new techniques and observing cultural differences within the workforce, which the younger generation can then introduce into the farm's daily operations.

Agriculture is constantly evolving, and the younger generation has a unique opportunity to learn about new ag technology, techniques and science, Hoffman said. That can help the operation.

Hoffman's essay noted the importance of giving the next generation a few years to develop the essential skills needed to manage the farm and increase equity. The time away also allows young farmers the chance to determine if taking over the farm is right for them and if the older generation is ready to step aside.

"They need to learn the essential skills they will need to be ready to take on the farm," said Hoffman. "This time period allows the young farmer an opportunity to see if they can handle it. If they can't, that could cost the family their entire operation."

Helping on the farm while in school

While he still has more work to do at Lake Area, he continues to play an active role when he returns to the family homestead in McPherson County. Hoffman said he contributes by handling the cattle operations, while his father manages the finances, crops and machining.

"Dad lets me be my own boss, and I'm in charge of my own things. I am able to ask questions, and we have learned to communicate better, especially when we have to communicate right on the spot," Hoffman said.

Witnessing the stresses and challenges associated with "Passing the Farm Reins to the Future Farmer," Hoffman wrote the essay hoping to save other family farms from encountering hardships that can be avoided.

"I wrote this essay hoping that other families won't run into the same problems that we have. I think this information will be helpful to other farms that are in the process of passing it on to the next generation," he said.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Student essay addresses the challenges in passing down the family farm