Learning how other people live and raise their families has always been something of interest to me. Do you remember when you would visit your friend’s house growing up and the first thing you wanted to see was their room? Well, that same desire applies today, but in a different way. You see, the gal that I’m going to talk about was one of those friends I grew up with. And instead of going to check out her room, I go and check out her and her husband, Paden’s, farm these days.
Kyla’s family and my family go waaaaaay back. Our dad’s were in the same class growing up, we did swimming lessons together, 4H, school and share the same love for track and field. We’ve been bridesmaids in each other’s weddings and now we snuggle each other’s babies. Between the two of us, we have five babies and we started that business in 2015! 🙂
She grew up on a farm and was on a horse before she could walk. Her nickname in high school? “Boots.” Because that’s ALL she wore until she suited up for a volleyball or basketball game or when she kicked tail in the hurdles during track season. That’s when “Boots” would really fly!
Now she keeps herself busy raising three kids and managing their farmstead. They have over thirty head of goats, chickens, calves, dogs, a duck with an attitude and a garden that’ll make you want to color your thumb green. In fact, their entire backyard IS their garden and they grow it ALL. From sweet corn, onions, and beans to the recent addition of fruit trees, the produce section is just a few steps away from the kitchen sink.
Not only do the chickens give them eggs, the garden gives them fruit and the goats give them milk (I’m singing that to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell” by the way), but more recently the goats have also been giving them soap! Kyla has been trying her hand at using their goat’s milk as the main ingredient in their bath soaps. The other good news? She sells them, so you can try them too!
They are beautiful and she has the cutest names for different scents. “Kid” for babies and kids. That also happens to be the name for a baby goat. “Dedra Cake” for those who enjoy a sweeter scent. If you grew up in Leoti, you know exactly what “Dedra Cake” is. Dedra and her mom, Pat, would make the BEST cake. It was a staple at graduation parties. “Rugged” for those who like a more “manly” scent. This one reminds Kyla of the cologne her dad wears. It’s one of my favorites too! She also has “Grandma’s Cookies” and “Lavender” scents available.
Sustainability and living off of the land is most definitely their way of life. And her babies will grow up learning how to take care of animals, the land and to appreciate the gifts of hard work, values and morals. I enjoy visiting her place when I come back home to see my folks. She has the “farm mom” thing down, she takes me back to my roots and I’m seriously considering changing my backyard from grass to garden.
Want to know more? Find her on Facebook at Owens Family Farm and give her page a “like” and a “share”. I hope you enjoyed getting to know one of my childhood friends.
We’ll talk soon! <3
