Six-generation farm family grows 4,100 acres of sugarbeets
Michigan Sugar Company Grower-owner Clint Hagen of Ubly, Michigan, has been elected Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) Board of Directors.
The election, to fill a vacant position, took place July 15 during ASGA’s summer meeting in Boise, Idaho.
“I am honored to be elected to this position. To even be nominated amongst this group is quite an honor. I’m very appreciative for the opportunity and will fill the position to the best of my ability,” said Clint, who along with his brother Brad and their 20 employees, runs Atwater Farms Inc. in the Huron County community of Ubly. “The sugarbeet industry continually amazes me; our crop, our markets, and everything that goes on in Washington, D.C., is constantly changing. Keeping up with these changes is what our association prides itself on.”
Clint, a fifth-generation farmer, has been growing sugarbeets since 1986 when he was just 10 years old. Today, Atwater Farms includes 4,100 acres of sugarbeets plus edible beans and white wheat. The Hagen brothers also have a trucking business and recently expanded into livestock with cattle.
“Sugarbeets are far and away my favorite crop to grow,” said Clint. “I’ve always felt the challenge of growing a great sugarbeet crop is extremely rewarding.”
Clint has been a member of the ASGA Board since 2019 and serves as Vice Chairman of the association’s Science & Innovation Committee, and as a member of the Executive and Legislative committees.
“The unanimous support from the board is evidence of the great respect sugarbeet grower leaders from across the country have for Clint,” said ASGA President Neil Rockstad, a grower from Ada, Minnesota. “Having him in this position ensures continued strong leadership as we advocate for 10,000 sugarbeet growers across 11 states.”
Back home, Clint serves as President of Michigan Sugar Company’s Central District Board of Directors and maintains memberships with the Huron County Corn Growers and Huron County Junior Livestock Association. He also serves as President of the Ubly Community Schools Board of Education.
When he isn’t farming, you’ll likely find Clint with his family. He and his wife Melissa have been married for 26 years and have five children – Dylan, Cole, Addison, and twins Beckett, and Waverly, as well as one grandchild – Lochlan Rhett.
Dylan works on the farm and lives nearby with his wife Ashley. They are parents to Lochlan. Cole studies agricultural business at Michigan State University, works on the farm when he’s not at school, and recently started a drone spraying business. Addison also attends MSU where she is majoring in agricultural business and sustainable agriculture. Twins Beckett and Waverly are juniors at Ubly High School. The family also has two dogs, a Berne doodle named Soarin and a Havanese named Ollie.
Clint and Melissa enjoy watching their kids play sports and cheering on the Detroit Red Wings. Clint also fits in a game of golf or two in the summer.
