RUSS FREEZE, an experienced farmer, has spent his entire life on the farm, inheriting this special legacy from his family. Alongside him is his supportive wife, Audra Freeze, who contributes to the local farmers markets.
Russ’ love for farming blossomed early in his childhood with his grandparents, who were in the dairy business.
He recalled, “We milked about 250 cows every day. On the other hand, my other grandparents had about 225 beef cattle. That’s all I ever raised — cows my whole life.”
This early immersion in farming instilled in Russ a profound respect for the land and an unyielding work ethic. For Russ, the biggest reward of farming lies in the variety and the connection with nature.
“Doing something different every day is my biggest thing,” he said. “I love being outside and taking care of the land. I love hunting and fishing and things like that.”
The ever-changing tasks on the farm keep every day unique, keeping Russ engaged and motivated. However, farming isn’t always smooth sailing.
“The weather is by far the worst part,” Russ said. “If it rains, we can’t work. If it rains too much, we can’t work for days or weeks. Crops could drown out if they’re planted. On the other hand, if it doesn’t rain — like, right now, it’s 100 degrees and corn’s pollinating — that’s a recipe for disaster. Any farmer would take a happy medium if we could.”
Freeze Farms has evolved significantly over the years. Initially a dairy farm, it transitioned primarily to row crops and hay.
“We were a dairy farm for my whole childhood,” Russ explained. “Then we swapped over to mainly row crops and hay. We still have a few beef cows, but not too many.”
This shift allowed the farm to adapt to changing market demands and leverage Russ’ expertise in crop farming. Sustainability is a hot topic in modern agriculture, and Russ farm strives to adapt to modern sustainable practices.
“We do no-till, and that’s a pretty big thing,” he mentioned.
No-till farming, which involves not working the soil before planting, helps with erosion control and maintains the soil’s fertility. This practice is important for long-term agricultural sustainability.
The farm’s produce primarily goes to grain elevators, where it continues its journey through the food supply chain.
“We go straight to grain elevators,” Russ said. “Except for the hay — we sell hay to individuals.”
This hay finds its way to horse trainers and people who board horses, supporting both small business owners and individuals in the community.
Although Freeze Farms does not participate directly in local farmers markets, Audra’s involvement keeps the family connected with the community.
Russ is an advocate for the farm-to-table movement, even though his farm operates differently. He describes the interconnectedness of the agricultural supply chain and the crucial role farmers play in feeding the community.
“If there’s no farms, there’s no food — plain and simple,” he said. “In our case, ours goes to the grain elevators, then to the feed mills, and then it comes back to the animals, and then the animals go to the table. It’s the same concept, just a few more steps.”
Reflecting on his career in agriculture, Russ acknowledges the important lessons he learned from his family.
“I give thanks to my dad, Greg, for getting me into this career,” he said.
His gratitude extends to his wife, Audra, for her continual support through the highs and lows of farming life.
Russ advises anyone considering a future in farming to start as early as possible.
“Start young,” he said. “It’s hard to learn how to work hard every day and then not be able to work when it’s raining or cold. You’ve got to be able to go when it’s time to go. If you don’t start that when you’re young, you can’t talk yourself into it.”
Russ and Audra are also proud parents of two amazing children. Their 20-year-old son, Kaden, helps keep the farm thriving by working as a part-time driver on the pulling tractor. Meanwhile, their 18-year-old daughter, Linley, is eagerly preparing to pursue a nursing degree at Tennessee Tech.
Freeze Farms is proof of the importance of family farming and its crucial role in our community. Russ inspires the next generation to embrace the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to agriculture as he continues to pour into the farm and the businesses that he serves.
While Freeze Farms primarily sells its produce to grain elevators, Middle Tennessee is also home to a thriving community-supported agriculture program. This program allows residents to connect directly with local farmers and enjoy fresh seasonal produce.
Embrace the wealth of resources and opportunities in our community, like local farmers markets, local harvest groups, and more. Let’s come together to support our local farmers and embrace the goodness of Middle Tennessee’s produce. GN
