Rooted in Union County Since 1853

Where Generations
Still Tend the Land

Heirloom fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals grown by the Dukes family in Lake Butler, Florida — the same land, the same values, six generations deep.

1853
↓ Scroll to Explore
170+ Years of Family Farming
Est. 1853
Lake Butler, Union County, FL
Heirloom Varieties
Multi-Generational Family Farm
Open Thu – Sat

From Our Land, To Your Table

Everything we sell is grown, raised, or prepared right here on the farm — the same acreage the Dukes family has worked since the 1800s.

Heirloom Fruits & Vegetables

Rare and traditional varieties you won't find at a grocery store — grown for flavor, not shelf life. Strawberries, tomatoes, greens, onions, and more by the season.

Browse Produce →

Garden & Ornamental Plants

Start your own garden the right way. We carry heirloom tomato, pepper, and vegetable starter plants, along with ornamentals grown on-site.

View Plants →

Smoked Meats & BBQ

Slow-smoked the old-fashioned way. Pulled pork, baby back ribs, smoked chicken, Boston butt, and whole smoked hams — available in the farm store and at special events.

Order BBQ →

Farm Events & Community

Seasonal BBQ dinners, plant sales, and community gatherings on the farm. The Dukes family opens the property for neighbors and visitors looking to connect with where food comes from.

See Events →

A Farm Rooted in
More Than a Century

"Our family settled this area in 1853, so 'Dukes' Family Farms is two fold. It's who we are, and also where — Dukes, Florida."
— The Dukes Family

Dukes Family Farms is owned by Michael and Robin Dukes, operated every day by them, their four children, their spouses, and their fourteen grandchildren. The land has been in the family since Michael's grandfather Ceborn acquired it in the early 1900s — and before that, the Dukes name was already written into Union County going back to 1853.

This is not a hobby farm. It's not a brand. It's a working family operation that has outlasted trends, seasons, and generations — built on the belief that small farms still matter, that heirloom varieties are worth preserving, and that feeding your community is one of the most important things a family can do.

1853 Family established in Union County
4th+ Generations actively farming
14 Grandchildren on the farm
Dukes Family Farms - Lake Butler Florida heirloom farm family Fresh produce grown at Dukes Family Farms in Union County Florida

What We Grow &
When to Find It

We specialize in heirloom varieties — plants with deep roots in agricultural history, selected over generations for exceptional flavor, resilience, and biodiversity. What's available changes with the seasons.

Heirloom

Tomatoes

Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, German Johnson, and more. Grown for depth of flavor that modern hybrids can't touch. Starter plants available in spring.

Spring & Early Summer
Seasonal

Strawberries

Florida-grown strawberries at their peak sweetness. Available in late winter and early spring — one of our most popular seasonal offerings.

January – April
Heirloom

Peppers

Sweet, mild, and hot varieties grown from heirloom seed. Available as starter plants in spring so you can grow your own at home.

Spring Plant Sale
Seasonal

Leafy Greens

Collards, mustards, turnip greens, and lettuces — cool-weather crops grown the traditional Southern way. Best in fall and winter.

Fall & Winter
Seasonal

Sweet Onions

Florida sweet onions grown fresh on the farm. Sold by the pound or bundle — a staple of the farm store through spring.

Winter – Spring
Ornamentals

Flowers & Ornamentals

Decorative plants grown alongside the food crops. Available seasonally at the farm store and during special plant sale events.

Spring Plant Sale

Availability changes weekly. Join the community to get seasonal updates, what's just harvested, and advance notice before it's gone.

Get Seasonal Updates

Upcoming Events & BBQ

From spring plant sales to holiday BBQ dinners — the Dukes family opens the farm throughout the year. Events are announced to community members first.

Spring
2025

Spring Plant Sale & BBQ

📍 7669 SW County Road 796, Lake Butler, FL 🕐 Friday 10am–6pm · Saturday 8am–4pm

Heirloom tomato, pepper, and vegetable starter plants plus ornamentals — all ready for your spring garden. BBQ dinners served both days. Bring the family.

Get Notified of Dates →
Seasonal
BBQ

Farm BBQ Dinners

📍 On the Farm · Lake Butler, FL 🕐 Announced to community members first

Michael fires up the smoker for special BBQ dinner events throughout the year — pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, and sides. Pre-order available through the farm store before pickup.

Join for Early Access →
Community
Open

Volunteer & Farm Days

📍 7669 SW County Road 796, Lake Butler, FL 🕐 By appointment & announced events

Want to spend a day on the farm? We occasionally open for community volunteers and farm learning days. Great for families and school groups wanting to understand where food comes from.

Get Involved →

What People Are Saying

Neighbors, visitors, and longtime customers from across North Florida who've made the trip to Lake Butler to visit the farm.

★★★★★
"The tomatoes we got from Dukes Family Farms are unlike anything we've bought at the store. You can taste the difference immediately. We made the drive from Gainesville and it was absolutely worth it."
— Sarah M., Gainesville, FL
★★★★★
"Michael's smoked BBQ is the real thing. We ordered for a family gathering and had nothing left over. The pulled pork and ribs are exceptional — slow smoked the old-fashioned way, not rushed."
— Robert D., Lake City, FL
★★★★★
"We bought starter plants for our garden three springs in a row. The heirloom varieties the Dukes family carries are not something you find anywhere else in this area. Genuinely a treasure for North Florida."
— Jennifer A., Jacksonville, FL

Visit Dukes Family Farms

We're located in Lake Butler in Union County — the historic heart of North Central Florida. The farm is open to the public Thursday through Saturday, and by appointment on Mondays through Wednesdays.

Thursday – Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monday – Wednesday By Appointment
Sunday Closed (Fallow)

Find Us & Get in Touch

📍 7669 SW County Road 796
Lake Butler, FL 32054

📞 (386) 867-0107
dukes@dukesfamilyfarms.com

Located in Union County, roughly 45 minutes from Gainesville and 1 hour from Jacksonville. Take I-75 or US-301 to Lake Butler, then head west on County Road 796.

Open in Google Maps →

Dukes Family Farms

7669 SW County Road 796
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Google Map embed goes here

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before visiting, ordering, or getting involved with the farm.

Where is Dukes Family Farms located?

We're at 7669 SW County Road 796, Lake Butler, FL 32054 in Union County — about 45 minutes southwest of Gainesville and roughly an hour from Jacksonville.

What are your hours and when can I visit?

The farm store is open Thursday and Friday from 10am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. Monday through Wednesday visits are by appointment. We are closed on Sundays.

What is an heirloom variety, and why does it matter?

Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated plant varieties that have been saved and passed down for generations — often 50 to 100+ years. They're selected for flavor, not shelf life or uniformity. The difference in taste compared to commercial produce is significant.

What produce is available right now?

Availability changes with the seasons. Join our community email list to get weekly updates on what's freshly harvested and what's coming. You can also call us at (386) 867-0107 to ask before making the drive.

Do you offer CSA boxes or farm share subscriptions?

We don't currently offer a formal CSA subscription program, but joining our community newsletter is the best way to get advance notice of what's available each week and first access to limited offerings.

Can I order your smoked meats online?

Yes — pulled pork, baby back ribs, smoked chicken, Boston butt, and smoked ham can be pre-ordered through the farm store for pickup during our store hours or at scheduled pickup events.

How long has Dukes Family Farms been operating?

The Dukes family has been farming this land for over 170 years. The family first settled in what is now Union County, Florida in 1853. Michael's grandfather Ceborn acquired the current land in the early 1900s, and it has been continuously farmed by the family since then.

Do you ship produce or accept online orders for delivery?

Currently, all purchases are pickup-only from the farm store in Lake Butler. We don't offer shipping for fresh produce or plants. Online ordering through the farm store is available for smoked meats and select items with farm pickup.

Can I bring my family or children to visit?

Absolutely. Dukes Family Farms is a family operation at its core — we love welcoming families, especially those who want to show children where food comes from. During open hours, visitors are welcome. For group visits or school trips, please contact us in advance.

How do I find out about upcoming BBQ events and plant sales?

Our community email list is the best way to get advance notice of events — BBQ dinners, plant sales, holiday pickups, and volunteer days. Community members also get first access before we post publicly on social media.

Farm News & Seasonal Guides

Gardening tips, harvest updates, family recipes, and stories from the land — written by the people who work it every day.

Heirloom tomato varieties guide Dukes Family Farms Florida
Gardening Guide

The Heirloom Tomato Varieties We Grow and Why They Matter

Not all tomatoes are created equal. Here's our guide to the varieties we grow at Dukes Family Farms and what makes each one worth seeking out.

Seasonal planting guide North Florida Union County
Seasonal Growing

What to Plant in North Florida by Month: A Practical Guide for Home Gardeners

Florida's growing seasons are unlike most of the country. Here's how we think about planting schedules on the farm and how you can apply the same timing at home.

Farm smoked BBQ pulled pork ribs Lake Butler Florida
From the Smoker

How Michael Smokes a Boston Butt: The Method That's Been Working for Decades

Low and slow, the right wood, and no shortcuts. Here's how we approach BBQ at Dukes Family Farms — and what we think makes the difference.

Join the Dukes Family Farms Community

Get first access to what's in season, advance notice of events, BBQ dinner announcements, gardening tips, and farm updates — delivered straight to your inbox. No spam. Just the farm.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime. No spam, ever.

Weekly seasonal updates
First access to BBQ events
Heirloom variety announcements
Gardening tips from the farm
Plant sale early access
For the Agency — Internal Reference

AEO/SEO Site Strategy Blueprint

What follows is the strategic framework behind this redesign. This section is for internal use and would be removed from the live site.

Critical Fixes (Do First)

  • Remove Lorem Ipsum from Events page "Become A Volunteer" section — this is live and visible right now
  • Update events calendar — nothing listed since May 2024 signals the site is abandoned
  • Add Google Maps embed to About/Visit page
  • Fix nav inconsistency — "Join" and "Farm News" go to same page, confusing
  • Add meta descriptions to all pages — currently none
  • Add favicon — missing entirely

New Pages Needed

  • What We Grow — dedicated page for heirloom varieties with seasonal calendar
  • Visit the Farm — standalone page with map embed, hours, directions from Gainesville/Jacksonville
  • FAQ Page — critical for AEO; builds entity clarity for AI search
  • Individual product pages with proper descriptions (not just price)
  • Blog/Farm News — at minimum 6 posts to establish topical authority

AEO Entity Clarity

  • Add JSON-LD LocalBusiness schema with hours, location, services
  • Add Product schema for heirloom varieties and BBQ items
  • Add FAQPage schema to FAQ section
  • Add BreadcrumbList schema to all interior pages
  • Establish consistent entity: "Dukes Family Farms" + "Lake Butler, FL" + "Union County" + "heirloom" across all pages
  • Set up Google Business Profile if not already done — critical for local AI answers

SEO Content Priorities

  • Target: "heirloom vegetables Union County Florida" — low competition, high intent
  • Target: "family farm Lake Butler FL" — local, transactional
  • Target: "heirloom tomato plants for sale North Florida" — buying intent
  • Target: "smoked meats Lake Butler Florida" — local food search
  • Target: "farm store Union County" — direct access intent
  • Blog: "What to Plant in North Florida by Month" — high search volume educational
  • Blog: "Heirloom vs Hybrid Tomatoes" — informational, trust-building

Revenue Opportunities Being Left on Table

  • CSA-style subscription or "Farm Box" waitlist — no shipping required, just pre-committed buyers
  • School/group farm tour bookings — formalizing what probably already happens informally
  • Private BBQ catering inquiry form — zero friction upsell from the smoker operation
  • Plant starts pre-order before spring sale — captures demand early, reduces day-of uncertainty
  • Gift cards — zero cost to implement, works for gifting produce or event tickets

Trust Signals Missing

  • No Google Reviews widget or testimonials anywhere on current site
  • No photos of the family (only farm photos) — story isn't being told visually
  • No "as seen in" or media mentions if any exist
  • Social media not linked from footer — Instagram clearly active based on photo quality
  • No SSL security badge or privacy policy — needed for email form compliance