Mitchell Freeman grew up in Coudersport, a small town in Northern Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, he attended Penn State University and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and a Minor in Military Studies.
While attending Penn State, he was a member of the Army ROTC program and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Mitchell began his commissioned officer journey in 2017 when he joined HHC 1/109th Infantry as a Company Fire Support Officer. The following year included roles as a Fire Direction Officer and Platoon Leader with A-Battery, 1/109th FA. In 2020, he deployed twice to Philadelphia in response to civil unrest and in 2022 he led his unit in a deployment to Lithuania in support of NATO Operation Flaming Thunder. He currently holds the position of Battery Commander for C-Battery, 1/109th Field Artillery in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, boasting eight years of dedicated service.
Mitchell’s military education includes completion of the FA Basic Officer Leader Course, Joint Fires Observer Course, and Captain Career Course. His military awards include the following: National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOTR), Pennsylvania National Guard Gen. Thomas J. Stewart Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (ARCAM) twice, and the Pennsylvania National Guard Service Medal Ribbon twice.
Continuing the Family Tradition
While his military experience began in 2017, Mitchell’s farming experience ventures further back. As the youngest of three boys, he has fond memories of 2001 when he was six years old. His father, eager to find new hobbies for his boys, decided to revive an old family tradition. Over a century ago, Mitchell’s great-grandparents made maple syrup on their farm and his dad thought it would be exciting to bring it back. Starting out modestly with 100 taps, a tarp, and a small evaporator, it would quickly grow into a business.
“We quickly became passionate about it and have been expanding the business ever since,” said Mitchell. “Sadly, my dad passed away unexpectedly in October 2021. My brothers and I are dedicated to continuing his legacy through our family maple syrup business.”
The main product produced at Freeman Family Farm, LLC is 100% Pennsylvania Maple Syrup. They currently sell their products in Mini Bottles (100ml), Half Pints, Pints, Quarts, and Half Gallons. Last year, they started raising beef cattle. Currently, they are only raising beef cattle for personal consumption, but down the road, they plan on raising beef cattle for sale to local customers.
The advanced technology of the new evaporator streamlines the process, reducing the time and energy required to convert sap into maple syrup.
Fellowship Fund
Mitchell was a recipient of the 2024 Fellowship Fund. Funded by Tractor Supply Foundation, his family was able to purchase a 2.5’ x 8’ CDL Venturi Wood Fired Evaporator. The upgraded evaporator enhances their productivity. With its improved efficiency, they can process a larger volume of sap, potentially tapping into additional maple trees and increasing their overall production capacity.
This was a strategic move that aligned with their overarching goals of increasing production, improving product quality, reducing costs, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of their business.
When he’s not producing maple on his farm, Mitchell works as an Ag Lending Manager for Horizon Farm Credit, providing loans to full-time/part-time farms and farm-related businesses in his local community.
What Mitchell loves the most about his operation is that it’s a family-run business. His brothers, their wives, and his mother all manage the day-to-day activities.
“My wife and I welcomed our first child, Cooper, in November, while my middle brother and his wife had their first child, Harper, in July,” said Mitchell. “Both kids joined us during maple season. We’re excited to teach them about farming and hope to pass on the tradition to them one day.”
To learn more about Freeman Family Farm, LLC, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. They are also members of the PA Preferred Homegrown By Heroes label and featured in an interview with PA Eats. You can read the interview HERE.
