Embracing Innovation in Lavender Farming
In the Township of Mapleton, just outside Arthur, Ontario, lies Tullamore Lavender Co., a sustainable lavender farm making waves in the region. Run by Stephanie Craig and Steven Larmer, the farm combines a deep personal connection to the land with innovative, holistic farming practices.
Stephanie and Steven grew up on dairy farms. Four years ago, they purchased the land on which Stephanie was raised and established Tullamore Lavender Co. The farm focuses on minimal or no-till practices to preserve soil structure and organic matter, while also prioritizing the environmental impact of their products.
When Stephanie saw a social media ad for Experimental Acres, her interest sparked – she'd been toying with an idea to increase lavender production while improving soil health. Experimental Acres offered the support needed to test those theories and better understand the farm’s soil.
Tullamore Lavender Co. is in its second year in the Experimental Acres programme. Their project is testing a no-till preparation method for lavender fields - instead of conventional tilling, the farmers are laying plastic weed barrier fabric directly onto a hay field. This allows the hay to decompose and enrich the soil, creating natural drainage channels.
Stephanie is a vocal advocate for Experimental Acres, urging other local farmers to get involved:
"The most successful farmers are those willing to take risks. Experimental Acres provides the resources to test your theories and improve your practices. It's helped us understand soil health better and has even influenced our practices on larger acreage."