We are the Matthews family! We love raising animals as pets, and it seemed fitting when we named our farm years ago, that we should name it Matthews Legacy Farm (MLF). Our family motto is work hard, play hard! MLF is a place that helps us accomplish just that. Farms can be a lot of work but can also be a lot of fun. Our hope is that our family farm will allow us to create experiences and memories that transcend to the next generations. And thus why we call ourselves, Matthews Legacy Farm.
This isn’t our first rodeo, our family and extended family comes from generations of dairy farmers, cattle and sheep ranchers, backyard hobby farmers, to outright animal enthusiasts. Our passion is raising animals to share with others. The animals we raise are pets. Our farm will continue to evolve as our family does and we hope somehow, we may be able to share a piece of it with you.
How did we get into breeding?
Growing up our family has always had a dog, and 12 years ago we brought home a Goldendoodle (named Dixie)—this was before they were widely known. Dixie is a member of our family and we can’t imagine our life without her. She is at all of our weddings, missionary homecomings, and at the airport to pick us up from our vacations. Since then, McKinley and Tori have had a passion and dream to want to breed Goldendoodles and give other families the opportunity to love a doodle just as much as we love Dixie.
What is a farm without some farm dogs? In 2017 they bought 2 beautiful female littermate golden retrievers (Sadie and Rue) and spent many hours training them. They both fell in love with their loving personalities and temperaments and decided to breed them.
McKinley and Tori spent countless hours researching and studying the best breeding processes. There were many hours and late night conversations held with our best friends Utah Goldendoodles. We talked about everything—from delivering puppies to genetic testing.
Soon our dreams became reality.
About McKinley
McKinley has been married to Matt for 6 years. Their passions include traveling, razor rides, animals, fitness, being entrepreneurs, and enjoying a delicious cookie together (both consider themselves cookie monsters). They started a screen protector business, videography business, and now dog breeding. Out of all those things McKinley’s greatest joy is being a mom to London who is 16 months old.
Q&A
Q: What roles do you have within MLF?
A: I manage the social media pages, outreach, customer service, managing relationships with partners, and can’t forget cleaning the chicken eggs.
Q: Favorite childhood dog story:
A: My love for dogs and animals started when I was really young. When I was 3 my mom let me sleep with my dog in the crib. When my mom came in the morning my crib sheet was wet. The dog got blamed for peeing in the crib but it was really me.
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Showing up to school naked (yes, I have this dream over and over).
Q: Favorite part about Matthews Legacy Farm?
A: The best part is watching the family get to take home their new puppy. There is so much happiness and excitement that day. That is when all the hard work is paid off and is so rewarding to see!
About Tori
Tori is a senior at the University of Utah getting an undergrad in marketing. She works at the Entrepreneur Institute and is a marketing assistant in a evolving and thriving atmosphere. She loves being on the go and is always down for an adventure. Her favorite place she has traveled to is India when she lived there for a month.
Q&A
Q: What roles do you have within MLF?
A: I am a content producer, web specialist, photographer, and I schedule our puppy play dates. Also I’m working on designing some swag.. coming soon! Oh, and I can’t forget, I chase the chickens to get them in the coop every night.
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Doing a 2-day juice cleanse and being stuck on a chair lift for 30 minutes. This happened last week, ask McKinley for the details haha!
Q: What’s your definition of the best day ever?
A: Going to the chevron and deciding for 30 minutes about which treats I am going to get and then jumping on an airplane to adventure somewhere new!
