Our Story

Humble Beginnings 

The founding of Baker’s Acres goes back to the late 1800s. The farm’s founder, Mike Baker, was born in 1862 as one of nine children. In the summer of 1883, he began walking West from Kirksville, Missouri. He made it as far as Sutton Nebraska when winter set in stopping his journey until the Spring. 

Mike continued his trek when the weather permitted in the spring. When arriving at what was to become the town of Trenton he walked six miles North and laid claim to his first quarter-acre of ground. Today the family still farms that ground. We’ve expanded the operation substantially, but haven’t forgotten where we came from and the sacrifices our forefathers made to give us the privilege to be stewards of this great land.

The Evolution of Baker’s Acres 

In the late 1800’s all work was done by horse and mule teams on the farm. A good yield for wheat and corn acreages was 20 bushels per acre. Corn was hand-harvested, wheat was shocked, bundled, then thrashed by horse-powered thrashers. The grain was moved by a shovel. Cows, hogs, and chickens were a staple in the early years. 

Over the years the horses and mules were replaced with tractors and their implements. The first self-propelled tractors and combines were amazing at the time. Now machinery that “almost” drives itself is wowing us. Who knows what’s next. 

Today most of our acreage is rented out to local ranchers for cattle production and Baker’s Acres has evolved into a specialized grain producing farm. The farm has found its niche in the sorghum industry. Just as Baker’s Acres has evolved, so has the use and benefits of sorghum.

Why We Still Grow Today

“Those who fear change get left behind.”

Although Baker’s Acres may not always be the first in line we are always looking forward and ready and willing to change when new opportunity arises. 

Farmers grow for people, people we don’t often get to see. A great satisfaction is connecting with end-users who enjoy the fruits of our labor. Diversifying our operation and cleaning sorghum on-farm gives us the ability to move one step closer to that personal connection. That is meaningful for us and gets us excited about the next day.