A Look Back: Partnerships, Popcorn & a Century of Stewardship

A Look Back: Partnerships, Popcorn & a Century of Stewardship

Farming has changed a lot since Nate’s great-grandpa worked the fields. Here’s why we started Free Day Popcorn—and how we’re carrying on the family legacy.

Where We Started

When Great-Grandpa George was farming, there were about four families on every square-mile section. Each family raised what they needed, bartered with neighbors, and helped one another through planting and harvest. Over time, rural populations thinned. Today, some sections have no families at all. With modern equipment and technology, it takes fewer people to plant and harvest many more acres. Kids grow up, chase opportunities in town, and not everyone comes back. Larger corporate farms keep expanding, and small farms often need more acres—or a new idea—to support a family in today’s farm economy.

“We wanted a path to stay small, stay local, and still make a living we could be proud of.”

Here’s another photo of Nate’s great-grandpa George. He’s raking hay with his trusty Oliver tractor on the farmstead where Nate’s parents still live. If you look closely, you can see the barn that appears in many of our photos today.

Why Popcorn?

We started Free Day Popcorn so we could be more profitable on fewer acres—and to create real jobs for our daughters right here at home. Popcorn fit us: it’s simple, honest, and it brings people together. It also lets us care for our soil the way our family has for more than 100 years, while building a business that can stand on its own.

From the beginning, we focused on quality you can taste: careful harvest, proper drying, clean storage, and varieties that pop beautifully—whether you love big, round puffs for caramel, or light, tender flakes for movie night.

The Power of Partnerships

A small farm doesn’t stay small without staying connected. We’ve been held up by so many hands:

  • Local retailers who gave us a shelf when we were just getting started.
  • Regional processors and suppliers who shared expertise, helped us troubleshoot equipment, and cheered on our upgrades.
  • Fellow farmers who swap wisdom, parts, and prayers when the weather turns.
  • Customers who told friends, snapped photos, and chose a family-grown snack on purpose.

These partnerships—formal and informal—are the reason a tiny seed on the Kansas–Nebraska border can become a bowl of popcorn on a kitchen table states away.

A Family Business (Literally)

This month marks ten years—a full decade—in business, and we’re truly grateful. Our youngest two have never known life without pallets of popcorn, bag labels, and Saturday deliveries. They’ve learned how to sweep a warehouse (really sweep), how to run a sealer, how to greet customers, and how to stick with a job until it’s done right.

“We didn’t just build a product line; we built a way for our girls to work, learn, and lead.”

Doing the Work the Right Way

Farming changes, but some things never should. We harvest when the crop is ready—not just when the calendar says so. We dry popcorn to the ideal moisture for great expansion (and to keep it safe in the bag). We track lots, keep detailed records, and choose packaging that protects freshness. “Small Farm. Big Flavor.” isn’t a slogan we slap on a label; it’s the standard that guides every step between field and bowl.

What We’ve Learned in Ten Years

  • Stewardship lasts. Good soil care and careful harvest are slow wins that add up.
  • Details matter. Moisture, storage, and clean processing make the difference you can taste.
  • Community carries you. When you find good partners, treat them like gold.
  • Small can scale. You don’t need thousands of acres to build something meaningful—you need vision, grit, and a quality product.

Looking Ahead

We’re excited for what’s next: continuing to invest in equipment that improves consistency and safety, growing relationships with retailers who share our values, and sharing the story behind every kernel. However the landscape shifts, we’ll keep doing what our family has done for generations—care for this land and feed people well.

Thank You

Ten years ago, we took a chance on popcorn so we could stay rooted on fewer acres and raise our girls in the work. Today, we look back with gratitude and ahead with hope. Thank you for believing in a small farm with a big dream.

Here’s to the next 10 years—as we continue the legacy together.

Stacey & Nate Freitag
Free Day Popcorn • Small Farm. Big Flavor.

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