Lakeview Family Homestead

Lakeview Family Homestead Nestled in southwest Michigan, we are a small farm committed to natural and ethical practices. We didn’t grow up as farmers, but did grow up in rural areas.

We’re Brian and Kim (and Izzy...shh, don’t tell her she’s a dog!). Our respective parents and grandparents instilled in us a love of the outdoors and gardening. We both lived the corporate life for approximately 25 years, sitting for way too many hours each day and eating the sub-par foods available at grocery stores. As we expanded our garden and added a few chickens to our backyard, we became in

creasingly more aware that the commercially grown foods we were eating were lacking the vibrancy and nutrition of our home grown produce. We knew there had to be a healthier and more fulfilling way to live. So, in 2024, we launched Lakeview Family Homestead. Like most homesteaders, we strive to never go to a grocery story again. We’re not quite there, but we’re learning every single day. We are excited to share with you what we’re learning and to provide you with access to a few products that we can manage at a slightly bigger scale with just the two of us on our small farm, including lavender and Icelandic wool.

First cutting of hay is done! We stacked enough in our hay room to get the flock through next winter then sold the rest ...
05/31/2026

First cutting of hay is done! We stacked enough in our hay room to get the flock through next winter then sold the rest straight from the field to cover baling costs. Izzy “cone head” Kavala-Smith supervised from the comfort of her air conditioned “chariot.” All in, we moved, loaded and stacked almost 300 bales. We’re exhausted, sore, and feeling our age, but also feeling a sense of accomplishment. This is not the fun part of farming!

Happy Mother’s Day to our new mamas and all the amazing human, furry and woolly mamas out there!   ❤️
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to our new mamas and all the amazing human, furry and woolly mamas out there! ❤️

05/07/2026

Shearing day was delayed this year because of the cold weather and lamb births. They were so ready to get rid of their winter coats! Now everyone is freshly shorn and ready for summer!

05/02/2026
Magnús is posing for the camera!  This handsome one-year-old boy is the proud daddy of twin ewe lambs and he got to meet...
05/01/2026

Magnús is posing for the camera! This handsome one-year-old boy is the proud daddy of twin ewe lambs and he got to meet them for the first time today. He looks pretty proud of himself 😀 He’ll be looking for a new pasture this year.

Miss Dóra has gained 6 lbs in 7 days!  Boy oh boy, do we have some milky mamas this year!
04/15/2026

Miss Dóra has gained 6 lbs in 7 days! Boy oh boy, do we have some milky mamas this year!

Zelda (left) and Edda (right) have gained 11 and 10 lbs. respectively over the past 14 days.  Nice job, mama Foa!  We wo...
04/12/2026

Zelda (left) and Edda (right) have gained 11 and 10 lbs. respectively over the past 14 days. Nice job, mama Foa! We won’t tag until later, so how do we tell the difference? Well, being around them every day, we can see many differences, but when all else fails, Zelda has a pink nose and tongue and Edda’s are black.

After a very challenging delivery, first time mama, Drifa, welcomed a 9.4 lb ewe lamb, Dóra, on Wednesday, April 8.  Tod...
04/10/2026

After a very challenging delivery, first time mama, Drifa, welcomed a 9.4 lb ewe lamb, Dóra, on Wednesday, April 8. Today, both mama and baby seem to be doing well. Congratulations, Drifa! You’re a strong, tenacious girl.

04/02/2026

Tiny little “beggar hoof” asking mama for more milk

Congratulations, Mama Foa, on the birth of twin ewe lambs!  Edda is 8.8 lbs and Zelda is 8.2 lbs.  You were so brave and...
03/30/2026

Congratulations, Mama Foa, on the birth of twin ewe lambs! Edda is 8.8 lbs and Zelda is 8.2 lbs. You were so brave and strong, sweet Foa!

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Decatur, MI
49045

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