Molly Yeh’s husband shares striking similarities with Dwight Schrute from The Office.
The Girl Meets Farm sensation made a notable transition from the hustle of New York City to the serene expanse of her Minnesota beet farm, all alongside Nick Hagen, whose family owned the picturesque property.
Hagen revealed that their New York days were marked by a penchant for staying indoors, opting for takeout over embracing the vibrant city nightlife.
However, a countryside getaway sparked a shift in their perspectives on life and location.
“Should we move?” they pondered during that transformative trip, and both emphatically answered in the affirmative. The rest, as they say, is history.
Their journey underscores the notion that those who cultivate crops together also nurture a bond that blossoms beautifully. Delve deeper into their enchanting love story.
How did Molly Yeh meet her husband Nick?
Yeh and Hagen’s paths first crossed during their time as music students at Juilliard in bustling New York City. Hagen, a senior focusing on trombone, and Yeh, immersed in percussion studies, initially knew each other as acquaintances. However, their romantic journey began post-graduation.
After completing his studies in 2009, Hagen returned to his family’s farm in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. However, he found himself drawn back to the allure of New York City in 2011, driven by a sense of “unfinished business,” as he revealed to Ag Week. It was upon his return that he and Yeh reignited their connection, embarking on several years of courtship before ultimately deciding to return to the Midwest.
Their love story culminated in a joyous union on December 27, 2014, amidst the serene backdrop of the family farm.
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Children
Yeh and Hagen have two children together.
Their daughter Bernadette Rosemary Yeh Hagen was born on March 30, 2019. Nicknamed Bernie, Yeh and Hagen’s first restaurant, Bernie’s, was named after their eldest daughter.
“Bernie is named after Nick’s great-great-grandpa Bernt, who came from Norway and started the Hagen farm, and my great-grandpa Bernard, who came over from Hungary,” Yeh told PEOPLE. “Rosemary was my mom’s mom.”
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The couple celebrated the arrival of their second daughter, Ira Dorothy Yeh Hagen, on February 20, 2022.
In an Instagram post announcing Ira’s birth, Yeh humorously remarked, “I think she looks just like a tiny Bernie and also a tiny grandpa.” She further explained the significance of Ira’s name, stating that Dorothy pays homage to Dorothea, the original matriarch of the farm (Nick’s great-great-grandma), while Ira was chosen based on a suggestion from their friend Jamie, a name they instantly fell in love with.
Bernie, their firstborn, has seamlessly transitioned into her role as a big sister, warmly introducing Ira to the delights of tickles, magic wands, tutus, and Frozen songs. The family eagerly embraces this new chapter, thrilled to be a family of four!
Is Molly Yeh’s husband really a farmer?
Absolutely! Hagen is deeply passionate about farming and dedicates himself to it full-time.
According to Ag Week, the Hagen family farm specializes in cultivating sugar beets and wheat. Additionally, they lease out land to other farmers who grow navy beans on the property. Hagen highlighted the multifaceted nature of farming, drawing parallels to his previous career in music.
He articulated, “The thing I like about farming is that it is so multifaceted. I think about music and the sort of path you take to achieve success in music. It’s about being regimented and disciplined and consistent and very focused.” However, he acknowledged that farming offers a distinct contrast, providing more flexibility and room for improvisation.
While reflecting on the variance between farming and his musical pursuits, Hagen noted, “It’s a far cry from the world of music. But the world of music was focused on perfection. It was such a controlled environment. It was just you, your instrument, and can you execute?”
He emphasized the shift to farming as an exploration of pure creativity, navigating the dynamic challenges presented by Mother Nature on a daily basis, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
