Rooted in Respect
For Jake and Sarah Hotze, farming is more than a career, it’s a commitment to legacy, purpose and partnership.
Jake grew up on the same land where he now raises steers, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. “This is the farm that my dad purchased from my grandma and grandpa,” he said. “There’s a lot of pride in the farm that Dad built. You want to keep the family farm going, keep the name and kind of what I worked my whole life for.”
That sense of gratitude and responsibility fuels everything Jake does. From caring for his livestock to custom baling and wrapping for neighbors.
A Shared Life, A Shared Load
Sarah’s path to farming wasn’t typical. Raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, she never imagined she’d end up helping with silage, running the grain cart, or working cattle through the chute.
“Marrying a farmer definitely was not something I expected,” Sarah said.
While she also runs her own marketing business from home, Sarah’s flexibility allows her to pitch in wherever needed. “Wherever Jake really needs me is where I’ll go. It’s just farm life. It can’t always be a one-man job.”
Their balance — of work, family, and ambition — has created a life of purpose that’s rooted in hard work and a vision for the future. For both Jake and Sarah, the farm represents more than a livelihood. It’s a lifestyle full of meaning.
“You’re working toward something much greater than just hanging your hat at the end of the night,” Sarah said. “Farming has opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t have to go through the mundane. You can really work toward something bigger.”
Support that Makes a Difference
As young and beginning farmers, Jake and Sarah leaned on Farm Credit Illinois and the FreshRoots program to help get their operation off the ground.
“Winning the FreshRoots Directors Cup, just the recognition of that really means a lot,” Jake said.
The Hotzes aren’t standing still. They hope to expand their acreage, grow their livestock numbers, and bring more hands onto the farm in the coming years.
