301. Don Adams on Creative Freeze Drying: Turning Harvests into Value-Added Products

Could mastering freeze drying be the next step in enhancing your farm's profitability and sustainability? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer podcast, Michael is joined by Don Adams who, along with his wife Kathy, produce 80 percent of their own food on their farmstead, Jazzberry Farm in Taft, Tennessee. They practice permaculture and organic farming, cultivating a variety of crops, raising goats for milk and cheese, and preserving their harvests through freeze-drying. Don't miss this episode on transforming fresh produce into long-lasting, high-flavor products with the power of freeze drying.   Episode Highlights: Getting Started: Don’s journey into farming [1:44] Range of Operations: What Don does on Jazzberry Farm [9:20] Product Pricing: The price range for Jazzberry’s products [34:43] Marketing and Sales: Where and how Don markets and sells their products [41:59] Goats on the Farm: The purpose of goats at Jazzberry [48:58] Freeze Dryer Tips: More tips from Don on using the freeze dryer [54:17]   About the Guest: Don is a retired band director/musician who has moved back to the land to feed himself and his community at Jazzberry Farm in Tennessee. He and Kathy produce 70-80 percent of their own food. He discovered freeze drying as a way to preserve his own food and add value to his produce.   Learn More About Don: Website: Jazzberry Farm Facebook: Like on Facebook   The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! Here at the Farm on Central, garlic is one of our staple overwinter crops. We use it in everything—garlic salt, infused honey, fire cider—you name it! But now, you can grow your very own garlic, straight from our farm to your garden. We offer seed garlic with three amazing varieties: Music, German White, and German Red. These varieties thrive in zones 2-7, and with a little extra care, they'll do great in zones 8-9, too. Plus, we’ve got free shipping on our 1lb, 3lb bags, 10 lbs and discounts for bigger orders. Get your seed garlic today at shop.farmoncentral.com and get ready for your own fresh garlic harvest next summer! Happy planting!