– Every Farmer has a Story with Alan and Ruth Burton –
Finding freedom
First-generation agriculturists Alan and Ruth Burton cultivate a common purpose
Story and photos by Glen Liford
– Every Farmer has a Story with Alan and Ruth Burton –
Finding freedom
First-generation agriculturists Alan and Ruth Burton cultivate a common purpose
Story and photos by Glen Liford
There are many paths to a life in farming. Some are born into it. They are simply the latest generation in a legacy operation where the career choice is more of a calling. Others are called from backgrounds in other vocations, but their commitment to farming is no less deep.
Alan and Ruth Burton of Loudon fit the latter description. Though Ruth was raised on a 38-acre farm, her father, Ken Norman, predominantly worked as a machinist. Her dad died in 2010, and when Ruth inherited the property, she couldn’t properly maintain it.
“He mainly dabbled with a few cattle and some hay,” she says. “After he passed away, I was here for several years by myself, and the property wasn’t being farmed.”
Alan, on the other hand, started farming when he and Ruth married in 2016. He was raised in Birmingham, where he operated a high-end car detailing business. He had previously worked as a motocross mechanic and later professionally raced remote-controlled cars, working for sponsoring companies throughout the world.
After joining her on the family property, he began to cultivate a reputation as a builder of barns and fences. The couple also set out to correct the years of neglect on the farm and to revive it as a thriving operation. They began to consider what venture might help them return it to its former status. Four years ago, they decided to concentrate on raising hay. They have also added another 200 acres that they are managing for a neighbor who was in a similar situation and needed help cleaning up and reviving his farm. They call their venture Freedom Farms.
The Burton operation is now centered on producing high-quality hay that they sell throughout Tennessee and surrounding states to those looking for the best forage available for show cattle and horse operations. Last year they sold more than 20,000 square bales. They also put up around 300 round bales each year to feed their small herd of about 20 head of cattle. In addition to the cattle, they have some goats, Great Pyrenees dogs, a few chickens, and a couple of pet pigs.
They’re quick to admit that they have had plenty of help in their quest to become better at raising high-quality hay for customers seeking the best.
“This farming life is hard work, but we’ve all worked together on the farm and our hay operation. It’s good to see the boys and their friends pitching in and working hard while they enjoy themselves.” — Alan Burton
From left are, Shawn, Ashton, Alan, John, Kevin, and Ruth. Nephew Ethan was not pictured as he was working at the Co-op in Loudon when the picture was made.
“We are first-generation farmers,” he admits. “We don’t have the experience to match what we have accomplished. I’ve spent countless hours reading online, weeding out the bad information. And I’ve listened. Our Extension agents John Goddard and David Bilderback have helped, and, of course, I’ve relied on Alex Anderson [AgCentral location manager] and William Gothard at the Co-op in Loudon for advice. I would go in there and ask a bunch of questions. They have helped me with my hay tests, and I would always check back way too early because I was so anxious.”
Alan stresses that he always followed the soil test recommendations for fertilizing and followed the suggested spraying program, too. Those methods have contributed to his success, he says.
Despite a challenging year in 2025, including too much early rain and severe drought during the growing season, Alan says they produced a bumper hay crop.
Alan entered samples at the Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon in August and won first-place awards in the mixed grass without legumes square bales and the orchard grass round bale categories. In October, he received another first-place award for cool-season perennial grass hay in the Southeastern Hay Contest at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.
“When we started, we didn’t plan to make it the type of business that it is now,” says Alan. “It was just kind of organic, and we kept building. We had a lot of help.”
Much of the labor that goes into the hay business was supplied by the couple’s nephews, whom they have raised as their own: Kevin, Ethan, Shawn, John, and Ashton. They enjoyed the work on the farm and invited friends from church and school to join them. They have pitched in to help with all aspects of the farming operation, including daily chores, feeding the animals, and putting up hay.
Those skills they learn on the farm will serve them well as they search for their own careers, Alan says, noting that Shawn has already found his niche as a nurse.
“I found out early in life that when there was something I really liked, I could learn it and usually do well at it,” says Alan. “That’s what I’m trying to teach them.”
Alan Burton, left, credits Co-op employees like Alex Anderson, location manager of AgCentral Farmers Cooperative in Loudon, with helping him become successful with his high-quality hay venture. Alan’s efforts have earned him awards at the Tennessee State Fair and the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, Georgia for the exceptional quality of his hay.
Story by Glen Liford,
Contact gliford@ourcoop.com