action by helping to raise money for local schools. Their endeavor is part of “agritourism” — agriculturally related educational efforts that invite the public to join in. “You can’t walk through a lavender field without seeing everybody smiling,” Jim says. “Lavender just makes people happy.” Lavender Trails, 356 Collins Blvd., Orrville, OH 44667. 330-855-1209, www.lavendertrails.com.
Onederings Lavender Farm
“We had visited gorgeous lavender farms in Oregon and found the relaxing qualities of lavender soothing. So, we decided to plant it as a way to deal with our grief and honor our mom,” Benz explains. But lavender, originally cultivated in Mediterranean climates, can be a bit finicky in Ohio, preferring welldrained, even rocky soil. It dislikes “wet feet.” “We had to figure out if we could grow lavender here; we didn’t want to fight nature,” Benz says.
More than 4,000 lavender plants — mostly English and French varieties — burst into bloom each summer on a 3-acre tract of the tree farm owned by Kim Benz and Amy Farr in southwestern Ohio. The sisters, both retired chemical engineers, established the sweetly scented space as a refuge for all. “We created the lavender field so people could enjoy coming out and visiting. It has a boardwalk, chairs, benches to rest upon, and a fully accessible shop,” says Benz. “We invite people to wander the fields, enjoy the peacefulness, bring a picnic, and perhaps sample some lavender lemonade.” The two are among seven siblings who were “planting things from the time we were about 6 years old,” she says. Three of the sisters purchased the farm back in the 1980s, building their homes as a bucolic place to raise their families. The idea for the lavender farm came after the death of their mom in 2008.
Top: Jim and Amy Duxbury converted a former industrial site into a 4-acre field of relaxation (photo by Parker Duxbury). Above: Onederings Lavender Farm in full bloom (photo by Kim Benz).
AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 33