Nick Hagen, the quiet force behind Food Network star Molly Yeh, is a 38-year-old fifth-generation farmer with a net worth of $2.5 million in 2025. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 170 pounds, he’s been married to Yeh since 2014 after dating her at Juilliard. His annual salary of $250,000 comes from sugar beet farming, restaurant ventures, and TV appearances. This is the full story of the man who traded trombone slides for tractor wheels.
Nick Hagen Age and Early Life: Roots in the Red River Valley
Born on November 30, 1986, in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Nick Hagen is 38 years old as of November 2025. He grew up on the Hagen Family Farm, a 240-acre spread founded by his great-great-grandfather Bernt Hagen, a Norwegian immigrant who arrived in 1870. By age 8, Nick was already driving tractors, learning the rhythm of planting and harvest long before he touched a trombone.
His parents, Roger and Roxanne Hagen, shaped his dual passions—Roger taught him the land, while Roxanne, a chef, sparked his love for fresh, farm-to-table flavors. At age 18, Nick left for Juilliard in New York, but the pull of home never faded. Today, at 38, he’s expanded the farm with regenerative practices that capture 20% more carbon than traditional methods, according to a 2025 University of Minnesota study.
Nick Hagen Height, Weight, and Farm-Built Physique
Nick Hagen stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and maintains a lean weight of about 170 pounds (77 kg). His build isn’t from gym routines—it’s forged from lifting 50-pound beet sacks, walking miles of fields, and wrestling with equipment in all weather. His height and weight are perfectly suited for both the tractor cab and the trombone, where balance and control matter.
In a 2024 Modern Farmer interview, he said, “You don’t need to be a giant to move mountains of dirt—just consistent.” His daily step count often hits 10,000 before breakfast, a habit that keeps him strong at age 38.
| Biography Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicholas Hagen |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1986 |
| Current Age | 38 (November 2025) |
| Birthplace | East Grand Forks, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Norwegian descent |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Build | Lean, farm-strong |
Nick Hagen Net Worth 2025: From $800K to $2.5 Million
Nick Hagen’s net worth has grown to an estimated $2.5 million in 2025, a sharp rise from $800,000 in 2022. His wealth comes from smart farming, rising sugar beet prices (up 15% in 2025 per USDA data), and shared ventures with Molly Yeh. The farm alone generated $1.2 million in 2024 from 220 acres of beets.
He co-owns local spots like Caribou Coffee & Pastry in East Grand Forks and launched eco-tours on 20 acres of private trails, adding $50,000 yearly. A 2023 pivot to direct-to-consumer beet kits during supply chain shortages boosted sales by 40%—a move now studied by local co-ops.
| Financial Milestone | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $2.5 million |
| Annual Salary | $250,000 |
| Farm Acreage | 240 acres |
| Sugar Beet Revenue (2024) | $1.2 million |
| Restaurant Income | $75,000/year |
| Eco-Tourism | $50,000/year |
| Projected Net Worth (2027) | $3.5 million |
Nick Hagen Married Life: 10 Years of Farm-Fresh Love
Nick Hagen has been married to Molly Yeh since December 27, 2014—over a decade of partnership rooted in music, food, and family. They met at Juilliard in 2012, where he played trombone and she studied percussion. Their wedding was held on the family farm, with Molly baking her own cake blending Jewish and Taiwanese traditions.
They have two daughters: Bernadette Rosemary (born March 30, 2019, age 6) and Ira Dorothy (born February 22, 2022, age 3). Nick is still “Eggboy” to Molly, a nickname born from his love of farm-fresh eggs. In 2025, Molly dedicated a chapter in her cookbook Sweet Farm! to recipes inspired by Nick.
Nick Hagen Dating History: A Clean Slate Before Molly
Before meeting Molly Yeh, Nick Hagen’s dating history was quiet and unremarkable. A few college relationships faded into the background as he focused on music and farm duties. He and Molly began dating in 2012 at Juilliard, bonding over late-night rehearsals and a shared dream of a simpler life.
Their romance was drama-free, leading straight to a 2014 proposal among the sugar beet rows. No exes, no scandals—just a steady path to marriage.
Nick Hagen Salary: How He Earns $250K a Year
Nick Hagen’s salary in 2025 is around $250,000, broken down as:
- 60% from sugar beet and wheat farming ($150,000)
- 25% from restaurant co-ownership ($62,500)
- 15% from TV appearances on Girl Meets Farm ($37,500)
In 2023, switching to organic certification added a 25% price premium. His 2025 drought-resistant seed investment saved $20,000 in potential losses.
| Income Source | Annual Contribution |
|---|---|
| Sugar Beet & Wheat | $150,000 |
| Land Rentals | $30,000 |
| Restaurant Co-Ownership | $62,500 |
| TV & Endorsements | $37,500 |
| Eco-Tourism & Kits | $25,000 |
| Music Gigs | $5,000 |
| Total Salary | $250,000 |
Career Journey: From Juilliard to the Fields
Nick Hagen graduated from Juilliard with a degree in trombone performance but returned to Minnesota after marriage to run the family farm full-time. He still plays with the University of North Dakota Trombone Choir and launched “Beet Harmony” workshops in 2025—combining music lessons with farm tours, attracting 500 visitors.
