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Family values drive Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year Freeland Bean and Grain

This year’s Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year has been shipping black beans internationally for more than 20 years.

Freeland Bean and Grain marketing manager Roger Hupfer tells Brownfield the company transitioned exclusively to black beans in 2005 as demand preferences were shifting away from navy beans.

“We went to strictly black beans, and our business has grown since then,” he says. “We’ve seen great value in traveling and going to see customers and developing our markets.”

Working alongside brothers Victor and Troy, the family-owned elevator also markets corn, soybeans, and wheat, provides agronomic services and operates a feed and lawn store.

“We started very small,” he shares. “We were very conservative in our approach. We’ve tried to operate our business in a way and treat our customers the way we would like to be treated.”

Freeland Bean and Grain exports Michigan-grown edible black beans under the Lighthouse and Fresh Coast brands in Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Peru. 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recognizes businesses for aggressively pursuing international markets and increasing export sales annually with the award.