Sweet smell of success

Lavender Grange isn’t only the newest agri-tourism operation in Nova Scotia; it’s a dream come true for a family in Scotch Village.

The Lewis family-owned and operated lavender farm and gift shop opened to the public May 5 and features organic practices, local charm and Old-English heritage. Val Lewis, Pete Lewis and Rob Lewis lived originally in the Cotswolds in England, but the family has resided in Scotch Village for the past two years.

The Grange is meant to serve as a sanctuary from stress: somewhere to come for a walk where the kids can play, you can relax and everyone can have fun, Rob Lewis said. “People are turning away from the modern idea and are trying to find natural alternatives,” he said.

More people are beginning to understand the health benefits of using natural goods and Lavender Grange creates products using essential oils that people can trust to be as natural as possible, Rob said. “We stake our reputations on this stuff because we can trust the products.”

The Mrs. Huffington-Dibley’s brand of natural products are made, packaged and sold by the Lewis family. The family thought of the name because it was an unusual Old-English name that was never attached to any other product. Lavender Grange offers shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, soaps and candles.

The family hopes to go nationwide with the Mrs. Huffington-Dibley brand because it appeals to people looking for something natural and there’s no intention for the business to stay small, Rob said. “Our main goal is to be the world’s best, but we also want to help our community.”

Local artists interested in finding a place to showcase classical talents or artworks should contact him, Rob said. “As we expand, obviously we’re looking for seasonal workers and full-time workers, and the more people we can hire on from around here that know the community and can provide a greater experience for our customers will help to integrate the farm within the community.”

Healing for the body

Nicole Barkhouse and Wendy Strong are two Hants County residents curious about a lavender barn in their community, so they stopped by. The smell was the first thing they noticed, Strong said. “It smells very nice in here.”

Lavender does smell lovely, looks beautiful and provides healing for the body, Val Lewis said. “Work is harder on the farm, but we can see something good growing for being tired.”

Farm work is demanding physically because it’s the nature of the line of work, Rob said. “We literally have to move earth and a lot of it is done by hand because we’re not a big industrialized farm operation.”

Foreseeing another five years of intense effort, the Lewis family expects Lavender Grange to take off after that. Ideas include expanding the 86 acres of lavender to grow 25,000 plants; growing pumpkins; harvesting sunflower; planting other flowers; creating colorful confetti fields (which are flowers harvested and dried for packaging at Lavender Grange), constructing overnight cabins and building a café; plowing out walking trails; offering photo opportunities; putting in a mini-golf range; and collecting animals for a petting zoo.

The family built the farm from the ground up and wants to see it expand to serve many different functions, Pete Lewis said. “But the lavender is always going to be number one.”

Lavender Grange is dedicated to its goal of helping the world to relax, one person at a time, Rob said. “We want people to share with us as we grow, to see our plans and to be part of them as we make them a reality.”