Meet Brent Hall of Freewheel Farm in Summerhill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Hall.

Brent, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in small-town central Maine. As a youth, I was fortunate to have a group of adult mentors who encouraged me to study and understand the interconnected nature of social justice and environmental issues. I spent my high school and post-high school years skateboarding and listening to punk rock music, but also traveling, and doing anti-war, anti-sweatshop, pro-union, environmental justice, fair-trade and Central American solidarity work.

In 2007, I was working at a non-profit connecting low-income families with healthy food, and as part of that work, I spent 1-2 days per week at local farms. It was through this experience that I met some of the kindest, smartest, and hardest working people I’d ever known- organic farmers. I fell in love with the community, and with the work. I felt like I’d found a direct way to positively impact the health of my community and the planet. I haven’t looked back since.

My mom moved to Georgia for a job right around that time. I worked a few years at farms in Maine and visited her in the off-season. Atlanta hooked me with the music, art, food, and culture. The promise of not freezing my ass off for six months each winter reeled me in!

I worked a lot of jobs after moving to Atlanta in 2011- garden center, tree companies, bicycle tours, produce delivery- but always kept my eyes out for urban farming opportunities. I met some generous landowners through a gardening gig, and they took a chance on me. They let me take over a vacant lot that they had purchased in Summerhill, and I broke ground in 2013.

I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no money and no experience with running a business. Because of the regional differences, I basically had to relearn how to farm. I think I was just too stubborn and too excited to quit. Community Farmers Markets was kind enough to let me sell the little bit of produce I had at the Grant Park and East Atlanta Village Farmers Markets, alongside my friend Garrett at Furrowed Earth Farm.

By 2015, I had my act together enough to go full-time with the farm business, and to hold down my own booth at the Grant Park Farmers Market. By 2016 I had signed leases on two other pieces of land and hired one full-time employee. I also was able to offer my best friend Evan, AKA the Chattahoochee Queen, a space to grow flowers and he has since gone full time with that. Freewheel Farm is now about to sign a lease on a fourth property and we are excited to continue finding creative ways to expand in the urban farming sphere.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Farming has never been, and will never be, a smooth road no matter how much experience one has. Mother Nature has a way of knocking you down and smacking you around a little each year, just to let you know who’s in charge. Farmers have almost no control over the conditions under which we operate- rainfall, wind, temperature, insect and animal pests, diseases. Farming is one of the most mentally challenging, physically demanding, and underpaid professions I think one could ever undertake, but also one of the most deeply rewarding.

My road has had its share of potholes and frost heaves. Starting out with no money wasn’t ideal. I foraged and sold $300 of wild garlic to buy my first piece of equipment- a small Husqvarna walk-behind rototiller. Starting with no experience growing in a southern climate also didn’t help. I think I made more mistakes the first two years than things that went right. Learning about taxes and managing employees, payroll, marketing, business incorporation, and QuickBooks have never come naturally to me. And figuring out how to to make a living for myself and others from selling produce continues to be a struggle.

But there have been so many people who have supported the farm, given us opportunities, bought our produce, shared their knowledge and advice, helped us work the land, and offered a shoulder to lean on. So many kind people have gone out of their way and done things they didn’t have to do to help ensure our success, and that in large part is what keeps me going.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Freewheel Farm – what should we know?
Freewheel Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown operation, meaning we grow everything without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs. We are highly diversified, growing over 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms, and we keep honeybees on three sites ITP. We sell our products at the Grant Park Farmers Market, to our 35 member CSA program, and to a small number of restaurants.

Things we pride ourselves on: our ability to pay our staff a good wage and working each year to better our wages and benefits. The volume and quality of food that we produce on a small amount of space in the heart of the city. That we’ve taught and encouraged several aspiring growers who have gone on to manage farms or start their own farms. That we’ve created access to local organic food for hundreds of families in the communities we serve. That we are a part of a community in Atlanta that values and fights for good, clean, fair, local food.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am grateful to so many people for helping Freewheel Farm to get where we’re at today. In no particular order, huge thanks go out to:
My family for always supporting me on my path.
My loving and supporting partner Carolynn Ladd.
The landowners who have taken a chance on us.
Ronald, Carol, Alex, Leslie, and all of the past, present, and future farm volunteers and staff for putting in work.
All of our CSA members and market customers.
Terry at Wrecking Bar, Brian at Kimball House, Anthony at Mediterranea, Brad at Watchmans, Jarrett at Eat Me Speak Me, and all the other chefs who source from local farms.
Community Farmers Markets for creating a space for small food businesses to make a living.
Foodwell Alliance for providing resources and cohesion to the farm community.
David at CompostNow for helping build great soil and making farmers a priority from day one.
Paul and Karen at Happytown Farm, Jo, Dennis, and Laura at King Hill Farm, Thom and Alia at Orizaba Farm, Joe at Love is Love Farm, Nuri at Urban Sprout Farm, Cory Mosser, Chris and Isia at Crack in the Sidewalk Farm, Garrett at Furrowed Earth Farm, Evan at Chattahoochee Queen Flowers, Andy and Andrea at Aluma Farm, Maurice Small and Tony and Linda at Scharko Farms, for friendship guidance and mentorship.
All the members of the Atlanta Farmers Coalition for camaraderie, and building the future we want to see together.
Mario and Elizabeth at the City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability for working tirelessly on programs and policies that benefit urban farmers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freewheelfarmatl.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freewheelfarmatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freewheelfarmatl/

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