Carl Blake, 54, was a computer engineer for 35 years before he returned to the family business—pig farming. He successfully invented his own breed of pig, the Iowa Swabian Hall, and he hopes to revolutionize pork and pig roasting. Most of all he's a family man, with 8 children between he and his girlfriend of four years, Courtney, 36. They joined forces and at once became farmers, small business owners, part-time caterers and dedicated parents. They are also exposing the children to farm life at an early age because they hope to pass the business, as well as the lifestyle on to them. Here, Carl Blake grabs cleaning supplies from his office before shipping out a hot box roaster on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 in Eldon, Mo. Blake designed a bigger roaster to accommodate his large pigs, as well as make cleanup more efficient.
A hog on Blake’s farm bites the fence before feeding time.
Blake holds his nine-month-old daughter Presley while doing chores as a family.
Blake loads a roaster into his van as his girlfriend Courtney See and their daughter Presley watch.
Before shipping the roaster, Blake stops to take a product picture.
After a day of work, Blake returns home to his girlfriend’s farm just outside of town.
Blake wakes his daughter Presley up from a nap.
Carl Blake, Jakson, 2, girlfriend Courtney See and nine-month-old Presley care for their horse Shiloh in a pasture on their Eldon, Mo. farm. The family does most chores together so that the children learn about the famer’s way of life.
Blake plays with the children during dinner. He hopes that one day they will carry on his legacy by continuing the family business.