Freeman Farms is owned and operated by Arizona native, Norm Freeman, and Lynne Trenery. Norm was raised in a citrus orchard in Phoenix and Lynne grew up riding horses in the sleepy town of Tucson. At that time, the region was dominated by agriculture and the 5 C's (climate, citrus, cotton, cattle & copper) of the Arizona economy rang true.
Norm's love of agriculture evolved into a business opportunity when he applied his technical skill to large scale farming in the 1970's and convinced commercial farms to abandon wasteful and inefficient flood irrigation systems and install computerized underground drip irrigation systems ... long before "green" technology became popular. Norm revolutionized the farming industry in the Southwest by helping farms increase production on a fraction of the water.
Added benefits of drip irrigation are decreased weed production (since the water is directed to the root of the plant) - thereby reducing the need for dangerous chemicals, fewer bugs - again due to decreased weed production (less need for chemicals), and ability to effectively irrigate on windy or hot, sunny days. Of course, Norm's technology has broadened since the 1970's- and now his commercial customers can manage not only irrigation, but every aspect of their crops, on their widescreen TV from the comfort of their couch!
While working in Tucson as one of the areas first female firefighters and paramedics, Lynne attended the University of Arizona and obtained a degree in Law. Ultimately, she was drawn back to her love of animals and began breeding and training rare American Saddlebred and Friesian horses.
After Young's Farm sold for development, Norm and Lynne began opening their farm to the public. Together, they have created an educational and research facility to promote sustainable agriculture in Arizona. Norm has refined his highly specialized computer control systems to responsibly grow crops and has demonstrated that underground drip is a viable method to produce high quality grass hay in Northern Arizona. The Natural Resources Conservation Center (NRCS) has evaluated Norm's systems and will now EQUIP (help finance) growers in the area for implementation of similarly high efficiency systems. In fact, the local High School was recently able to convert to such systems as a result of EQUIP funding. At the same time, no tax dollars or EQUIP funding were used to finance systems at Freeman Farms. Freeman Farms has also been a test facility for new varieties of pumpkins and is the only farm in Arizona that grows its pumpkins on underground drip!
Norm and Lynne believe strongly in finding common sense solutions to Arizona's agricultural challenges so that all Arizonans can continue to rely on and enjoy local food sources. Part of those solutions revolve around education and Freeman Farms has developed innovative ways to meld education and fun for youngsters who visit the farm during the Pumpkin Festival throughout the month of October. Kids learn a little bit about history through horses, farming through sources of food, and technology from John Deere to Bill Gates!
And then there is just plain old-fashioned farm fun reminiscent of the County Fairs of yesteryear! Featuring our regular attractions: the farm themed Merry Go Round, Freeman Farms Train, Family Corn Maze, Hay Rides, Petting Zoo, gorgeous American Saddlebred and Friesian horses, great food, entertaining shows with the Boots and Bustles Old Time Re-Enactors, dancers, dogs ... and much more!
While other farms in Yavapai County are already in the process of legally converting their agricultural water to development water, Freeman Farms is committed to farming. Please help support the farm by visiting in October and enjoying the family friendliest Pumpkin Festival in Arizona! Norm and Lynne will be there to thank you!