Lera Family Farm opens for family fun

By CINDY THOMAS, Staff Writer

If your family is looking for a great place to relax, shop, eat, play games, and let the kids work off some energy, you’ll find it at Lera Family Farm, 8616 E. St. Hwy. 76 in Branson West. Just a half mile west of Silver Dollar City, the Farm is a handy stop on the way to or from other Branson attractions or the lake, and is convenient to lodging, camping, and RV parks.

Lera Family Farm is owned and operated by Francisco and Deana Lera, but it also encompasses several individual small businesses owned by their adult children. The farm’s play areas and vendor market opened last weekend, but a grand opening including all the shops will be July 2.

The Farm includes a farmers’ and vendors’ market, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Since many area farmers’ markets are open early in the day or earlier in the week, this is a great opportunity to grab something for that weekend camping or family meal. For vendor information, call 417-507-2375. Families will enjoy the game area, complete with cornhole boards custom decorated by the Leras’ artist daughter-in-law, Cori, and the farmthemed kids’ play area designed and built by Francisco and his sons. A $3 wristband allows kids to come and go in the play area throughout the day and also includes a Saturday craft time.

Farm-themed kids' play area

Photo by Cindy Thomas

The family’s craftsmanship and talent are evident along the row of shops. Many guests will be pleased to see a familiar favorite, Chubby Cactus Taco Shop, which was formerly an immensely popular food truck in Springfield and has now moved to the family location. It’s worth stopping just to see the handcrafted tables and décor varying from cowboy to cartoons to Ringo Starr, enhanced by Cori’s art, but be sure to try the tacos, which have been featured in Springfield’s 417 Magazine.

After browsing at Wonderfully Made Boutique, also a former Springfield business, guests ready for dessert will find a fun selection of cupcakes and more at Savory Sweets, and an energy boost at Genesis Coffee Shop, where carefully-sourced coffee beans are crafted into a full line of specialty drinks. And if those family-owned shops don’t satisfy all your cravings, just move on through the property to the food truck park, where you’ll currently find Thai food at Foey Foey Boba, with more trucks planned to arrive soon.

The Lera family is used to working together, as they are also engaged in missions work and ministry. Their Romans 8 ministry offers life skills training opportunities for underserved youth, both in the U.S. and in Mexico, and they also help several Mexican families earn a living by marketing handmade crafts.

In keeping with the ministry theme, there is an outdoor seating area for music, youth meetings, and worship, with a large screen available and a schedule of family-friendly movie nights coming soon. Lera Family Farm is also working on plans for a Saturday morning kids’ Bible school in the fall, as well as a drive-through food pantry in partnership with Springfield-based Convoy of Hope. A “Secret Garden” tucked in between the buildings offers a quiet place to relax and read, including a small cupboard-style library, and Deana said she hopes to incorporate local musicians and storytellers. The family is also working to develop trails over the 11-acre property, for family walks and themed hikes, such as a pumpkin scavenger hunt in the fall and a Christmas walk with lights and stops for hot cocoa.

Hours are 2 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday for games and family play, with plenty of lighting for the evenings; however, Deana reminds guests to check the Lera Family Farm Facebook page and each individual shop page since hours vary, including morning hours at Genesis Coffee. Special events are also updated on Facebook. Bring your family to meet the Lera family for some great fellowship and a lot of fun!