How can I prevent cracking in concrete (or earthen) walls from the freeze/thaw cycle?
Drainage, drainage, drainage.

All frost heaving issues disappear when there isn't water trapped.  Piers sunk to below the 100 year worst case frostline (piers of crushed gravel, holes lined with landscape fabric (to prevent silt intrusion.  Oversized (width wise) trench footings packed in crushed gravel (21AA in MI)
Active groundwater management via French drains, swales and contouring. 

Once you take care of the foundation, whatever you build above will last.