Have you ever wondered how much Nick Hagen is worth? The husband of Food Network star Molly Yeh has built an interesting life as a farmer, musician, and restaurant owner. His net worth is estimated between $800,000 and $3 million in 2025. But how did this Juilliard graduate end up running a sugar beet farm in Minnesota? Let’s explore Nick Hagen’s life story and how he built his wealth.
Nick Hagen Net Worth Breakdown
Nick Hagen’s net worth stands at approximately $800,000 to $3 million in 2025. This money comes from several places:
- Sugar beet and wheat farming (main income)
- Land rentals to other farmers
- Co-owning two restaurants with his wife
- Appearing on Food Network’s “Girl Meets Farm”
- Farmhouse vacation rentals
While his personal worth is in this range, the Hagen Family Farm itself is estimated to be worth around $5 million according to some sources.
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Who is Nick Hagen?
When you hear about Nick Hagen, you might just think “Molly Yeh’s husband,” but there’s much more to his story. Born on November 30, 1986, Nick is a:
- Fifth-generation sugar beet farmer
- Former trombone player trained at Juilliard
- Restaurant co-owner
- TV personality (occasionally on “Girl Meets Farm”)
- Father of two daughters
Standing at about 5 feet 11 inches tall, Nick has Norwegian ancestry. His family has farmed the same land in East Grand Forks, Minnesota since 1870 when his great-great-grandfather Bernt Hagen immigrated from Norway.
Nick Hagen’s Early Life and Education
Growing Up on the Farm
Nick Hagen’s biography begins in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where he was born to Roger and Roxanne Hagen. His father was a farmer like the men in the family before him, and his mother was a former elementary music teacher.
As a boy, Nick did typical farm chores. He started mowing lawns “when he was old enough to reach the pedals” and learned to drive farm equipment as a teenager. He grew up alongside his sister, Anna Sather, on the family farm that has been passed down through five generations.
From Farm to Juilliard
Though Nick loved farm life, he also showed amazing talent as a musician. In high school, he played trombone in the jazz band, pep band, and marching band at East Grand Forks Senior High. His musical gifts were so special that he applied to The Juilliard School in New York City – one of the world’s best music schools.
His former high school band teacher, Herb Thomson, said Nick “had that something, that intangible thing” and was “world class.” Getting into Juilliard was a big deal – according to Thomson, no other student from their area had done it during his 34 years of teaching.
How Nick Hagen Built His Wealth
Sugar Beet Farming: His Main Income Source
The biggest part of Nick Hagen’s net worth comes from farming. The Hagen Family Farm covers 220 acres in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Nick mainly grows sugar beets and wheat, though he also rents some land to farmers who grow navy beans.
Sugar beet farming is very specific work that follows a yearly cycle. The most intense time is the “Sugar Beet Campaign” in October, when workers harvest 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for about three weeks.
Nick has described waiting for the sugar beet harvest as being like Christmas: “You know what you’ve asked for, and you’ve probably shaken the box a few times… So you sort of have an idea, but until you crack open the box, it’s only a good guess.”
The timing of the harvest is critical. Nick explains, “If they are harvested any earlier, the temperatures are going to be too warm to be able to preserve the beets. We want the harvest to hit that sweet spot where it is not too cold, not too hot.”
These sugar beets are processed by American Crystal Sugar Co., which turns them into the sugar you buy at the store.
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Restaurant Business
In 2022, Nick and Molly opened “Bernie’s” restaurant in East Grand Forks. They named it after their oldest daughter, Bernadette. The restaurant is in the historic building that used to house Whitey’s Wonderbar (which operated from 1932 to 2017).
Bernie’s features farm-to-table food with Scandinavian and Midwestern flavors. They sell local products like Dakota Maid flour and American Crystal sugar – the very company that processes the sugar beets from Nick’s farm!
The couple expanded their restaurant business in 2024 by opening “Bernie’s on Base” at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
These restaurant ventures add to Nick Hagen’s net worth while also showcasing local farm products.
Media Appearances
Though Nick is not the TV star of the family, he does appear on his wife’s Food Network show “Girl Meets Farm.” These appearances provide some income, but more importantly, they help build their brand as a farm-to-table family.
The Story of Hagen Farm
The Hagen Family Farm has been in Nick’s family for five generations, making it a truly historic property. Here’s how it started and grew:
| Year | Milestone |
| 1870 | Great-great-grandfather Bernt Hagen immigrates from Norway |
| 1876 | Bernt establishes the farm near East Grand Forks |
| 1900s-1980s | Farm passes through three generations |
| 1990s-2000s | Nick’s father Roger operates the farm |
| 2009 | Nick first returns to help with the farm after Juilliard |
| 2011 | Nick permanently returns to take over farming operations |
| Present | Nick continues as the fifth-generation farmer |
The farm includes 220 acres of cultivated land plus 20 acres of private hiking trails. This property forms a significant part of Nick Hagen’s net worth.
From Juilliard to Farm Fields: A Unique Journey
The Decision to Return Home
One of the most interesting parts of Nick Hagen’s life is his decision to leave music and return to farming. After graduating from Juilliard in 2009, he initially tried balancing both worlds. But by 2011, he had decided farming was his true calling.
Nick has said: “It took me moving back to New York to solidify my feelings about wanting to farm, and that confirmed for me my feelings about wanting to farm and that really confirmed for me that I wasn’t going to be wondering ‘What if?’ or ‘Did I make the right decision?'”
What makes his choice special is that he wasn’t forced to take over the family business. His father Roger said, “He seemed to have so much luck musically, I didn’t want to stand in his way.” Nick chose farming because he wanted to, not because he had to.
Music and Farming Connection
Nick hasn’t completely left music behind. He still plays trombone with the UND Trombone Choir. In fact, he was featured with the choir in an episode of “Girl Meets Farm.”
The skills he learned as a musician – precision, patience, and teamwork – help him as a farmer too. Just as playing trombone requires perfect timing, farming demands careful attention to weather, soil conditions, and harvesting schedules.
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Personal Life
Family
In 2014, Nick married Molly Yeh, whom he had met at Juilliard. Their wedding took place on December 27, 2014, in a building on their farm called the “old shop,” with the reception in their newer farm shop.
The couple has two daughters:
- Bernadette Rosemary Yeh Hagen (born March 30, 2019)
- Ira Dorothy Yeh Hagen (born February 20, 2022)
Their first daughter is named after Nick’s great-great-grandfather Bernt (who started the farm) and Molly’s great-grandfather Bernard. Their second daughter’s middle name, Dorothy, comes from Nick’s family.
Lifestyle
Despite the growing fame that comes from Molly’s TV show, Nick Hagen’s life remains centered around the farm. The family lives in the farmhouse that has been in the Hagen family for generations.
Nick begins each day with farm work, managing the seasonal demands of sugar beet and wheat farming. In the busiest seasons, this means very long days, especially during the harvest.
Comparing Net Worth: Nick Hagen vs. Molly Yeh
While Nick Hagen’s net worth is impressive for a farmer, it’s notably less than his wife’s. Various sources estimate Molly Yeh’s net worth between $8-10 million. Her wealth comes from:
- Food Network show “Girl Meets Farm”
- Bestselling cookbooks
- Popular food blog
- Social media partnerships
- Restaurant co-ownership
Together, the couple has built complementary careers that connect farming to cooking, creating a complete farm-to-table story.
Future Growth Potential
Nick and Molly continue to build their brand and businesses. Future opportunities that could increase Nick Hagen’s net worth include:
- Expanding their restaurant business
- Creating farm-based tourism experiences
- Developing branded products from their farm
- Educational initiatives about farming
- Possible merchandise lines
How Nick Hagen Made His Money: Key Takeaways
Nick Hagen’s biography reveals several important factors in his financial success:
- Family legacy – The inherited farm gave him a strong foundation
- Elite education – His Juilliard training provided unique skills and connections
- Smart land management – Continuing the family farming tradition while modernizing
- Strategic diversification – Adding restaurants and rentals to farming income
- Partnership with Molly – Combining her culinary fame with his farming expertise
- Authenticity – Staying true to his farming roots while embracing new opportunities
Final Thoughts on Nick Hagen’s Net Worth
Nick Hagen’s life story shows us that success doesn’t always follow a straight path. His journey from Juilliard to the sugar beet fields of Minnesota is unusual but rewarding.
While his estimated $800,000 to $3 million net worth may not make him super rich by celebrity standards, Nick has built something more valuable – a meaningful life continuing his family’s farming legacy while creating new opportunities through restaurants and media.
As Nick continues to farm the land his ancestors cultivated and raise his daughters in the same tradition, his true wealth lies in preserving a way of life that connects people to the food they eat – from the sugar beet fields to the dining table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nick Hagen’s net worth?
Nick Hagen’s net worth is estimated to be between $800,000 and $3 million as of 2025.
How did Nick Hagen make his money?
He makes money mainly through sugar beet and wheat farming, land rentals, co-owning restaurants with his wife Molly Yeh, and occasional TV appearances.
How big is Nick Hagen’s farm?
The Hagen Family Farm covers approximately 220 acres of farmland, plus 20 acres of private hiking trails.
Is Nick Hagen still involved in music?
Yes, though farming is his main career, he still plays trombone with the UND Trombone Choir and maintains his musical connections.
When did Nick Hagen and Molly Yeh get married?
They got married on December 27, 2014, on their farm in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
What restaurants does Nick Hagen own?
Nick co-owns “Bernie’s” in East Grand Forks (opened 2022) and “Bernie’s on Base” at Grand Forks Air Force Base (opened 2024) with his wife Molly Yeh.
How many generations has Nick Hagen’s family been farming?
Nick is the fifth generation to farm the family land, which was established by his great-great-grandfather Bernt Hagen who immigrated from Norway in 1870.