We Are The Rookies
At Rookie Farmers, we proudly embrace the journey of learning and growth, starting with the simple truth: we made our share of rookie mistakes. In the early days of our farming journey, we were just like many new farmers—eager but figuring it all out as we went. We stumbled, we learned, and each mistake became an opportunity to improve and refine our practices.
Rookie Farmers isn’t just a name—it’s a reminder of where we started and how far we’ve come. It’s a testament to our journey of growth, resilience, and a commitment to doing things better for the land, for our community, and for the generations to come.
Our Story
Farming isn’t a job, it’s a way of life. For the Foxes, it’s also been a family tradition. Ben, a 4th generation farmer, grew up on this very farm that began as 500 acres, located near Kimball, Minnesota in South Haven. His family initially had livestock that included dairy cows and hogs, and he worked on the farm throughout high school and after, before leaving to launch and run his own business. Meanwhile, his parents continued to farm with the help of their dedicated son-in-law, Tim Holtz. By 2016, the farm had grown to 1,200 acres and no longer included livestock. It was that year that Tim passed away unexpectedly at the age of 38. Though it had been 20 years since Ben last farmed, he felt the calling to return with his son Dylan to carry on his family’s legacy and establish the 5th generation of Fox family farmers.
Ben’s family’s shared love of farming led he and his wife Ellie to purchase the family farm from Ben’s parents, leaving behind his self-built business world and moving into farming whole-heartedly, full-time. In those early years, Ben and Dylan made some “rookie” mistakes, but never gave up. They jokingly referred to themselves as “Rookie Farmers,” and the nickname stuck. Ben and Ellie’s youngest son Teddy started helping on the farm at age 10, operating the grain cart even before his feet could touch the floor.
Together, the Fox family continued to focus on expanding and diversifying the operation, adding specialty crops and transitioning some of the land to organic farming. They are deeply committed to soil health, employing no-till practices when possible, minimal tillage when necessary, and advocating for cover crops to keep roots in the soil year-round. And they’ve proudly stayed Rookie Farmers, carrying on the tradition of tending, respecting and caring for the land we call home.
Moving the Future Forward
Today, Rookie Farmers has expanded to 6,000 acres, some of which is certified organic. Ben and Dylan lead the farm, with Tim’s two sons now part of the team, along with several other young men who share the family’s passion for farming. We focus on specialty crops like industrial hemp, flax, camelina, sunflowers, and oats, while also growing a small portion of conventional crops, all of which are harvested and processed into various Goods and Products sold through our family’s Green Fox Companies brand.
Meet Our Lead Rookie
Dylan leads the pack here at Rookie Farmers, as a 5th generation farmer on our family-owned and operated acreage. From day one on the farm, he has focused on farming sustainably. You could say that pouring his heart into our fields each day is second nature to him. Dylan is an advocate for innovative equipment, greener practices, and looking at agriculture with a fresh perspective. His hardworking drive and genuine passion for the land keeps us all going and growing.
Want to Know More?
Find out how we farm and what we grow to learn even more about the Rookie Farmers way.
