Who We Are

Patty Santiago (Mom-Mom to MacKenzie)

President

 

I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters and we were raised to believe family comes first, to always help anyone in need, as well as respect and care for all animals. I have raised everything from kittens that were only a few weeks old - to taking care of wild animals (raccoons, rabbits, baby moles etc.) I started working outside the home when I was 15 years old, and have continued to work while raising my children.

After working in the grocery business for 20 years, I realized my true passion was for animals. I changed careers and while living in Maryland, started working at a veterinarian’s office which enabled me to continue to acquire knowledge regarding the care of all animals.  After our family moved to Kentucky, I was able to put my knowledge to use in a more practical way at the Lexington-Fayette Animal Control. I have fostered hundreds of animals over the years, and while I’ve been told by some people that I care too much, my heart says that is not possible-- i.e., the time I rescued animals from a burning home, as well as the time when I was working at a veterinarian’s office that caught on fire, and I was able to get all the animals to safety.

When my mom passed away in 2003 it was very hard. I loved her so much, but my mother-in-law Sue, was just as amazing, and I loved her like my own mother. She was the most wonderful, kind, compassionate and loving person anyone could ask for, and would help anyone that needed help. I miss her very much. 

Now….I am grandmother- a "Mom-Mom" to Mackenzie Grace, and the love I have for my granddaughter fills my heart. As Mom Mom’s Lavender is a family-owned business, the farm provides a great environment for her to learn the core values of family, the importance of being kind to people, as well as practicing patience, showing love, and learning to care for our farm animals as well.  

 

I grew up on the same farm that my mother, Mom-Mom was raised on. She taught me the importance of hard work and the enjoyment of working outdoors. Most importantly, she taught me the importance of kindness and helping others.

Growing up in a rural area brought plenty of challenges.... but it also taught me how to be self-reliant and find original ways to solve problems. I have always had an interest in all things mechanical such as old cars, tractors, anything that has an engine. This skill/interest really helps on the farm since understanding how to repair and maintain the equipment is extremely important. 

My father has taught me responsibility, and that the only way to make progress is to take that first step and actually start. My wife's passion for animal care has made an definitive impact in my own personal life, and now that she is a Mom-Mom as well, I want to continue with all of the important life lessons our family has taught us as we continue our work with our sons and granddaughter on our Lavender farm.

 

Born in 1950, I grew up working on our farm or the neighbor’s farm. We had horses and they had dairy cows. I left that work to do something easier-- landscaping and nursery work. I worked there for 3 years and then decided to get a degree. I attended Johns Hopkins University and received a BS in Business Management. I then went to work as a Management Consultant for 40 years.

During all this time I was married to a wonderful woman, Sue Anne Santiago. She was the first Mom-Mom in our family when our son, Philip Benjamin, had his son, Tyler. Sue passed away August 23, 2021. She always wanted to have a lavender farm, but I was too busy. Then we fought her brain cancer for almost 3 years.

Now that I am retired, I have decided to give Sue her farm. We both had a strong love of family, children and helping others. I want these values to be the foundation for Mom-Mom's Lavender. Sue always said that kindness is the most important thing we can teach our children and that belief is behind all of our products and services.