A Modern Approach to an Evolving Legacy.
Aukes Family Farms isn’t just a name planted in Hills, Minnesota. It’s an evolving story, stitched together by generations who’ve shaped both the land and each other. Logan Aukes, a fourth-generation member of the family farm, works alongside his grandpa; dad, Terry, who is still lending his expertise at CFE; uncles Brian and Dan; brother and newcomers on the horizon: nephews eager to join the operation. On this farm, legacy means three generations working together. Each has a role matched to their talents, hand on the wheel and invested in the future, whether full-time, part-time or somewhere in between.
Roots Stretching from Hull to Hills
The roots of the family farm are entwined with the resilience and creative spirit that mark the family’s beginnings. Logan’s great-grandparents met and married young in Hull, Iowa, but the opportunity of more affordable land called them north to Minnesota. They commuted for two years on a cab-less tractor before finally settling in. Their first years on the farm included grain, hogs, cattle and milk cows, along with making do. The pair salvaged every nail from an old hog barn, hammering them straight. Over time, the operation shifted with the seasons and the market, narrowing its focus to corn and soybeans, rooting the family more deeply in the land.
Today, Aukes Family Farms is as much about who shows up as it is about what gets grown. The operation thrives because every generation gets involved early, from running grain carts to picking rocks. Each person makes contributions–fixing equipment, handling grants, working with precision ag and sorting out tax and estate planning. Farming here means running a sophisticated business where everyone knows their lane and brings unique skills. “If you force one path, it’s hard to get younger generations involved,” Logan admits. For Logan and his family, the passion starts with history and grows through ownership, responsibility and open conversation.
Planning for Tomorrow, Learning from Yesterday
To ensure the family farm flourishes for generations to come, the family leans into operational creativity. Logan’s dual career as a CPA gives him insight into the business and teaches the hard lessons about what happens when succession isn’t openly discussed. “It’s not fun to talk about, but it’s important to have these conversations together in one room,” he reflects. Ownership varies, from acres to equipment, and the farm sometimes relies on seasonal help and trusted hands outside the family. Creativity in marketing, including flexible grain contracts, diversified revenue streams and strategic use of credits, helps keep cash flow healthy even when the broader agriculture economy struggles.
The farm’s assets move forward thanks to a blend of classic hard work and a modern approach. The family doesn’t shy away from trying new things, looking for ways to keep the farm both innovative and rooted. Part of the secret, Logan believes, is teaching the next generation. He recalls memories of picking rocks while others his age played video games, now seeing how such discipline turns into success beyond the farm. “The farm taught me to do difficult things and to be happy doing them,” he shares while crediting work ethic and the pride of legacy for his personal and professional achievements.
The Cooperative Connection
For at least 25 years, the Aukes family has worked closely with CFE, taking advantage of services in marketing, agronomy and new technologies. Their connection with the cooperative and the personal relationships they’ve built help bind the farm to the broader community. CFE’s educational resources, events, and value-added services have become an integral part of both day-to-day farming and long-term planning. “CFE is intimately intertwined with our operation,” Logan says. There’s trust, stewardship and a willingness to adapt and grow together. The cooperative’s support ensures that each member, regardless of their lane, knows what to do and why it matters.
Logan’s involvement in CFE’s Core program has been an unexpected bridge from solo family engagement to a wider community of young farmers and ag-adjacent professionals. “Any article can tell you the average age of a farmer is 60, so it’s been helpful to meet other young people in similar situations,” he shares. The Core program offers more than educational opportunities–it’s a chance to collaborate, share ideas and break out of the usual circle of agronomists and marketers by connecting with peers. “You get to ask questions, learn outside your family and gain new insights you might not otherwise have.” This network helps to strengthen Logan’s ability to steward the family farm with fresh perspectives and confidence.
Carrying the Torch Forward
The legacy of Aukes Family Farms is one of evolution and resilience. It’s a heritage grounded in the hard work of generations before and fueled by the innovation of those who step into the future. “Generations who continue to carry the torch honor the sacrifices of those who made it easier for us today,” Logan states. Across the fields, in the equipment shed and at the kitchen table, tradition and progress work side by side. <<
