Your family garden has finally eeked out a few herbs and veggies this season, hooray! It’s no easy feat to make things grow; we give major props to the folks who go full-fledge farmer and spend their days in the dirt. Take a peek at eight families whose life on the land is a labor of love.

Lucky Layla Farms – Plano, Tx

Blake Patterson, manager of Lucky Layla Farms, is no stranger to farming. He and his sister grew up on a dairy farm in Kentucky and when she started a dairy operation (sister farm Lavon Farms) of her own with husband Todd Moore in 2004, Lucky Layla's popular drinkable yogurts, award-winning cheeses and butter were born. Blake joined the company in 2012 to focus on sales and now their products, including nine different yogurt flavors, can be found in chain and specialty markets across Texas.

There are rewards and challenges to running a farm, Blake says. “No two days are the same and you have an appreciation and understanding for hard work. But it also requires long hours, missed vacations and holidays. After all, dairy cattle don’t know it’s a holiday!" Everyone helps out at Lucky Layla. Blake’s nephews feed the calves. His oldest son helps stock the shelf with raw milk at the farm in Plano, and he likes to help sell the yogurt. Do they have a favorite dairy cow? "Each show cow needs to be registered, so every single one is considered a pet and has a name. Some definitley have more personality than others!" says Blake.

Lucky Layla welcomes guests to come tour the farm in Plano, Mon. - Sat., 9 am - 6 pm. Visitors learn about the history of dairy farming and experience the milking process.

Online: luckylayla.com

Do you have a favorite family farm? Share with us in the comments below!

—Gabby Cullen

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