By Jack Cafretsas
Lavender lovers will be in seventh heaven when SummerHouse Lavender Farm hosts Bloom Festival 2017. Visitors are welcome to explore the warm atmosphere of the farm July 7-9 from 10 am-6 pm, learn about the lavender growth process, listen to live music, and participate in family-friendly activities as the lavender reaches its peak bloom.
SummerHouse Lavender Farm was started by Dan McGavin and Carol Brown. The two felt a drive to keep active after retirement, and so they began building their dream together.
“We said to ourselves, ‘what do we do now?’” said Brown, who is a former professor of communications.
The two considered growing hops and other crops before deciding on lavender. The next step was finding their one acre piece of land in Fennville, where they then built a house in 2013 and began growing in 2014.
The farm now features approximately 825 plants of seven varieties. With these, a host of creations are hand-crafted. Products such as lotions, soap, essential oils, and even honey from the farm’s bees all come from the organically grown lavender.
The essential oils are extracted from the lavender using a large copper distillery, which aids in separating impurities from the oils. Users praise the oil for the calming restful effects it produces.
Inspired by these calming effects, the farm has integrated fountains and Zen gardens to create a sense of calm restfulness. The atmosphere is designed to reduce stress as visitors come to reconnect with nature.
Brown and McGavin say the farm’s motto is, “a creative respect for land, lavender and people.” However, the two say they cherish the people the most.
“We just want to share what we have created here with those who will love it just as we do,” McGavin said.
The Summerhouse Lavender Farm is located at 2976 – 65th Street in Fennville, Mich. For more information call 616.218.5793 or email info@summerhouselavender.com.
