It’s easy to see why Aaron and Laura Briner named their Henderson, Kentucky, farm Laughing Lab Acres. Drive up to their property at 11135 State Route 1078 just east of the city, step out of your car, and you’re greeted by four enthusiastic, smiling Labrador Retrievers.
“They all are involved with the farm,” says Laura with a smile.
The Briners moved to the farm three years ago with a mind to raise their own livestock and get back to an older, more natural way of farming. The idea to create a business came as Aaron completed his studies at Western Governors University Indiana.
For the final capstone for his degree, he was tasked to come up with a business plan. The couple had just bought the 24 acres and as he worked on his project, Aaron began to think the couple could make the farm business a reality.
Today, they humanely pasture-raise chickens, hogs, and turkeys, using their land to let the animals live life as they were meant to — rooting, picking, and scratching the land. Their philosophy focuses on restoration agriculture, which Aaron says is restoring a relationship with the land, with the animals, and with the community. “It makes me feel good knowing we’re giving people an alternative,” says Laura.
“It’s a quality product,” adds Aaron. “It’s the education of your customers that’s a big thing as well. If we can get people to come out here, a lot of time the farm says a lot more than I can.”
While they continue to work and build their brand, Laughing Lab Acres already has partnered with The Dapper Pig and Perfectly Fresh in Evansville and Planters Café and Coffee Bar in Henderson. Aaron says they also are in talks with Pangea Kitchen. They work with iPickHere and can be found at the Downtown Henderson Farm & Art Market and the Saturday Henderson Farmers Market.
“I like seeing what we’ve done to change this place already,” says Aaron. “It seems like it’s been longer than three years, as far as us being able to work and see the results.”
For more information about Laughing Lab Acres, call 812-449-1163 or visit laughinglabacres.com.
