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Welcome to Hook Farms
Mission:
The mission of Hook Farms is to produce seedstock that will add
value and subsequent profitability
to our customers' operations. We believe producing genetically balanced seedstock, excelling in multiple traits, will generate the most value for our customers and their families.
We continually strive to operate our farm with integrity, honesty and with a sincere concern for those with whom we conduct business. While we are not perfect in our pursuit of these ideals, we look to Jesus Christ to be our model and example.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make
your paths straight."
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Top Photos: Top to bottom: 1) Bert Hook with first team of horses in 1930; 2) 3 generations of Hook men, George, Bert and Eugene;
3) Original Hook homestead in Lyon County; 4) Eugene and Mary Lou Hook; 5) 1966, Eugene and Mary Alice honored as Outstanding Young Farmers; 6) Barn on the original homestead; 7) Tom and Shannon with the next generation’s potential success!
Just as a cattle breeder researches pedigrees, so it is with geneologists who study and research family trees (pedigrees) and histories. The Minnesota chapter of the Hook family story dates to July 31, 1900 when Eugene Frank Hook purchased the NE quarter of section 24, Amiret Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. Eugene Frank Hook came to the fertile prairies of SW Minnesota from Charles City, Iowa. On December 10, 1900, Eugene’s son and daughter-in-law, George and Mary Ellen Hook obtained title to the quarter of land. Bert Hook was born to George and Mary Ellen in May of 104. Bert grew up on the home farm helping his father raise crops, cattle, hogs, horses and other livestock. The present house that still stands at the old home place was built in 1915. This beautiful house is the present home of herdsman, Ed and Ethanie Schmidt. In Grandpa’s own words, “I fell in love with a beautiful blonde Swede from Lake Shetek,” named Agnes Carlson. Bert and Agnes were married on February 20, 1930 and moved to the present home farm in the same year. They were blessed with two children, Eugene in 1932 and Mary Lou in 1935, during the heart of the depression. The present white farm house where Tom and Shannon now live was built in 1947 by Bert and Agnes. Eugene and Mary Alice Hook were united in marriage on September 15, 1956 and returned home to farm the following year after completing college. Eugene and Mary Alice had two children: Patti in 1959 and Tom in 1961. The Hook family always had commercial cows but when Patti and Tom started 4-H, the Simmental herd originated as well. Mary Alice went to be with the Lord in 1985. Tom started farming full time after completing college in 1987. Tom fell in love with Shannon Bolin who was home for summer break from college and her pursuit of an education major. Tom and Shannon Hook were married on August 5, 1989 and have resided on the home farm ever since where they are raising their five children: Joshua, Joseph, Cassandra, Sarita and Annaka. Patti and her husband, Arden Virnig were married on August 11, 1984 and have since graduated from medical school and now work with the Mille Lacs Health Care System in Onamia, MN. They also have four wonderful children: Mary Catherine, Sarah, Zachary and Samuel.
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Family Farms owe their existence to their “roots” or pedigrees as well. One generation’s sweat, foresight and love paves the way for the next generation’s opportunity and potential success. While financial success is important, there are other definitions just as important. Honesty and integrity, love for the land, family and God, and concern for neighbors are vital to success in Rural America. The present generation at Hook Farms is fortunate to stand on the shoulders of the giants from previous generations.
But as those who’ve gone before us,
Let us leave to those behind us,
The heritage of faithfulness passed on
through Godly lives.
Jon Mohr
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For nearly 30 years, Hook Farms has been a seedstock source for performance driven SimGenetics. Providing solid, breed leading genetics with honesty and integrity has been our unchanging goal season after season. The season of life has come for Hook Farms senior partner and father to harvest his lifelong labor in the cattle business.
Since graduating from the University of Minnesota in the mid 1950’s with Agronomy and Ag Economics degrees, dad (Eugene) has initiated many new production techniques in crop and livestock production. Always ready to improve efficiency and production, he was often the first to adopt new ideas and technology. Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, performance testing, expected progeny differences and now extensive carcass evaluations have all been implemented to improve the efficiency and predictability of the seedstock produced at Hook Farms. Dad has always been a team player with a unique ability to put his personal interests aside for the betterment of a group or the association he is serving. He has actively served the Simmental Association, agricultural commodity groups, community boards and his church at the local, state and national levels. He is a true public servant. Perhaps his greatest asset to the farm and society is his unyielding ability to treat others fairly and honestly. Integrity is and always has been the most important trait at Hook Farms. Thanks for leading by example, Dad.
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