Michigan Lavender Farms Attract Bees, Butterflies and Humans Seeking Solace

In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

A beautiful crop that grows well in Michigan’s sandy, well-draining soil and pleasant summers, lavender can be used for everything from relieving stress and attracting pollinators to flavoring foods and crafting value-added products. Two Michigan farms – Cherry Point Farm & Market in Shelby and Lavender Hill Farm in Boyne City – cultivate the soothing herb for very different reasons. One is new to farming, while the other has been a part of Michigan agriculture for decades. 

See more: Michigan’s Farmers Markets Have a Storied Past and a Bright Future

Blooming Reconnection

For Barbara Bull, lavender adds a unique, even spiritual dimension to the Shelby fruit orchard business, Cherry Point Farm & Market, that’s been in her family since 1949.

Walk past the store where old apple crates showcase Bull’s handmade pies and other goodies, past the sunken “word garden” with smooth, painted stones from Lake Michigan, and you’ll find the 300-square-foot Lavender Labyrinth & Herb Garden. There’s no charge for visitors to walk the path, which is circled by clumps of lavender.

“Few people today have any place where they can connect with themselves, with their family, with the land and with whatever higher power they acknowledge,” Bull says. “There’s something incredibly special above and beyond anything I can take credit for in that herb garden and the center of the labyrinth.”

The idea for the garden was somewhat accidental. “I wanted Cherry Point to be something other than just a place for people to stop and get their pie and quart of cherries,” Bull says. 

After sharing her desire to create a special space, an artist-architect friend urged her to use piled-up stones on the property to anchor a crop with a uniform color.

“People are drawn to it,” Bull says. “Many of them acknowledge that there’s an energy and a beauty that take their breath away.”

“There’s something incredibly special above and beyond anything I can take credit for in that herb garden and the center of the labyrinth.”

– Barbara Bull, Cherry Point Farm & Market

“He realized that without really intentionally doing so, he had designed a labyrinth,” she says. “I say the labyrinth told us it belonged here.”

She planted the first lavender in 2002 – used not only as a de-stressor but also as a lemonade enhancer, shortbread flavoring and insect repellant, she points out – followed by 36 beds of dill, mugwort and other herbs. The best part, Bull says, is seeing guests leave their worries behind in the labyrinth.

“People are drawn to it,” Bull says. “Many of them acknowledge that there’s an energy and a beauty that take their breath away.”

A Budding Venture

Rita Robbins had always loved lavender, so much so that while honeymooning in southern France 35 years ago, she insisted on stopping at every farm and wild patch of the waving, aromatic herb. So, in late 2015, when her wealth management colleague Bill Mansfield called and asked if she was interested in buying a lavender farm in Boyne City, she said yes. 

Neither had ever farmed before. Mansfield and his wife, Erin, were city folks from Lansing. Robbins lived in New York City and had never even had a backyard. But they shared two goals: to shield Lavender Hill Farm from development and support local, family-run businesses, including distilleries, chocolate makers and a vineyard.

“There’s a small army of dedicated artisans, mostly women, who spend a lot of time making candles, sachets, soaps and lip balms for us that we sell in our shop,” Robbins says. “We co-op with everyone from a local family bakery to make lavender cookies to Moomers, which makes ice cream with our lavender in it. We support them by having a retail space and an online store, so their products are consistently sold to visitors.” 

See more: Commitment to Michigan Fruit Remains at the Heart of Century-Old Winery & Distillery

One of the largest in Michigan, the lavender farm maintains 13,500 plants and 30 varieties. Tours, concerts and classes in beekeeping, yoga and more keep visitors busy. In addition, construction is underway on a 13,000-square-foot, year-round retail, office and event space. 

The farm’s owners also give back by raising funds for nonprofits and even hosted a high school graduation ceremony for students who missed theirs during the pandemic. 

“The people part has been even more rewarding than growing the lavender,” Robbins says. “Just seeing the growth of the people and the plants – those are the dual pleasures of farming.” 

See more: 5 Ways to Cook With Fresh Lavender

If You Go…

Cherry Point Farm and Market

Location: 9600 W. Buchanan Road, Shelby 

Hours: Open daily, May through October: May 1 through June 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 25 through Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Last week of August, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sept. 2 though 4; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sept. 5, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sept. 6 through October 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Phone: (231) 861-2029

Email: cherrypointmarket@gmail.com

cherrypointmarket.net

Lavender Hill Farm

Location: 7354 Horton Bay Road North, Boyne City 

Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the season, except on July 4. Check the website for seasonal dates.

Phone: (231) 582-3784

Email: service@lavenderhillfarm.com

lavenderhillfarm.com