TOURS SHOWCASE AG DIVERSITY, ECONOMIC VITALITY; LINK TO PHOTOS

JEREMY WALTNER – PUBLISHER

When Ashley and David Downs moved their family to Freeman from Washington State in December of 2021, they did so because they wanted to experience a different way — and pace — of life. They had always loved South Dakota and, after taking a look at the Experience Freeman Welcome Guide that included a page featuring a quick glance at the community and some of what it has to offer, they settled on Freeman.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 9, Ashley and the two Downs daughters, Abby and Emily — an eighth grader and sixth grader at Freeman Public — saw firsthand why the decision to move to Freeman was the right one.

The Downs were among more than 40 men, women and children who spent the afternoon on a Farm Tour sponsored by the Freeman Community Development Corporation (FCDC) in partnership with Rural Revival. From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., the group visited four agricultural operations:

Schultz Brothers Dairy, a family operation 2 miles south and 1 ½ miles west of town operated by Mike and Vicki Schultz and their sons Jeff and John, who returned to their home community in the early 2000s;
Graber Vineyards, which was established by David and Cindy Graber in 2000 on their farm 4 miles south and just over a mile west of Freeman that, only recently, includes a renovated barn built in 1952 by David’s parents that serves as an event hall called The Barn;
Scenic View Farm, a third-generation operation 7 miles south and 3 miles east of Freeman that is today managed by Brent and Angie Brockmueller and includes traditional grains as well as Shorthorn/Black Angus and Scottish Highland Cattle;
Berrybrook Organics, a certified organic family farm established by Will and Sherilyn Ortman a mile south and 7 miles east of town after they returned to Will’s home community in 1999, which today features free-range chickens and an egg-handling facility, as well as a USDA-licensed creamery used for homemade ice cream.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE TOUR

“I loved it,” said Ashley, who works as a para at Freeman Public and whose husband joined the school board in July. “It was so fun to see each farm and how they all work.”

She noted the family feel of all four of the operations the tour group visited and the care and quality evident at every stop. Best of all, she said, was the up-close and personal touch that each one offered.

“Being able to go behind the scenes — I wasn’t really expecting that,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting to get to see everything.

“This is exactly the type of lifestyle we were after when we moved here.”

The idea for a Farm Tour developed in the spring of 2023 when members of the FCDC were brainstorming ways to draw more attention to the weekly farmer’s market, Main Street and other businesses in the community.

“We decided that we would organize one event each month throughout the summer,” said Jake Tietje, a member of the FCDC who is just starting his third year as superintendent at Freeman Public Schools. “Before we moved here, I had the opportunity to enjoy an event that showcased area farms and I shared some of those details with the FCDC board, and they thought it sounded fun.”

Tietje said he and fellow FCDC members Charles Harberts and Brad Gering then developed a list of farms that featured a variety of practices, held two meetings with the owners to share the vision for the event and gather feedback, and that was that.

“They contributed great ideas for how we could make the Farm Tours even better,” he said. “After the meetings, the farmers led the show and we just had to deliver the people.”

At Schultz Brothers Dairy, the group learned that the operation was established in 2002 and that 2,200 Holstein cows are milked twice a day, with the majority of the product taken to AMPI and turned to powder.

At Graber Vineyards, the group learned that having a vineyard is hard work and “less romantic than you might think,” said David, and that most of the grapes harvested following a five-to-six-month growing season are purchased by Valiant Vineyards and used for wine.

At Scenic View Farm, they learned it was named that by Brent’s grandfather because of the spectacular view of the South Dakota landscape to the northeast, particularly at night, and that the Highland cattle produce a leaner cut of meat similar to bison, and that they are Angie’s passion.

And at Berrybrook Organics the group learned that 350 to 400 dozen eggs are delivered to various businesses — many in Sioux Falls — every Wednesday and that one of the reasons the Ortmans began making and selling ice cream is to better utilize the eggs that are rejected because of appearance after being gathered and inspected.

Carol Eisenbeis, who is the marketing and economic development director with the city of Freeman who helped organize last week’s tour, said agri-tourism is exceedingly valuable to economic development.

“It hasn’t always been recognized as that, so we’re excited about this opportunity and that four area farms could host us — and we know there are more of those in the area.”

Eisenbeis says for those on the tour who were not from Freeman — there were several who came from Sioux Falls — the Farm Tour exposed them to both a different way of life and a potential opportunity that could benefit Freeman.

“Those people go back and say, ‘Have you guys been to Freeman? That’s a great day trip; you should see what’s there,’” she says. “And not only does it drive people to visit your community, it also helps people realize that it’s a great place to live or to expand a business — a thriving community where people want to be.”

And she says the Farm Tour served as a reminder for local residents, as well.

“We really value these amazing farms right here in our community,” Eisenbeis said. “Sometimes people even here don’t realize what we’ve got, and we need to tell that story.”

Wednesday’s tour wrapped up at the Swimming Pool Park just in time for the Freeman Farmer’s Market, where there was also the Peterson Petting Farm, live music by Collin Waltner and Ben Harder, horseback rides by Sylver Linings Ranch, a watershed booth by South Dakota Soil Health, a farm safety trailer, and a free meal.

“It was fun to see all the people — especially the children — enjoying the activities,” said Tietje. “We hope to make this an annual event and showcase a different group of farms each year.

Any farmers that would like to be part of the Farm Tour 2024 should contact Tietje at 605-572-8117.

“A special thank you to Schultz Brothers Dairy, Graber Vineyards, Scenic View Farm and Berrybrook Organics for opening your gates to this event,” Tietje said. “It was a great experience!”

More photos at freemansd.com.