U-Pick Lavender Season in East Tennessee
By guest author Jen Grant
Graduates of the Field School beginning farmer training program, Jeannie and Brian Miller are entering a new season of success with Midfield Lavender Farm in Bulls Gap.
Last year, during the nine-day U-Pick period in June last year, 700 guests from across Tennessee and six different
states visited Midfield Lavender Farm to participate.
It has taken 10 years to get to this milestone of being open for the public for events, U-Pick, and community gatherings.
Why lavender and why Bulls Gap? Says Jeannie, “we chose this property primarily because it was close to Kingsport, where we were living at the time, and it was also centrally located to our parents and siblings. We were looking for a farming activity that we could ease into without living on the farm full-time. Livestock was not an option. After some research on soil conditions and potential agriculture related business opportunities, I decided to try growing Lavender.”
After some research and trial and error in choosing locations and varieties, they now have over 1300 established lavender plants.
In 2023 they moved to Bulls Gap permanently. Jeannie says, “I really get excited when spring comes around. As the plants start to bloom, the aroma and natural beauty of the farm comes to life.”
Some of Jeannie’s favorite varieties are Grosso for its ease of propagation and how well it performs, and Riverina Thomas for its long stems and big blooms.
“My favorite culinary lavender is Royal Velvet. It has beautiful small flowers, smells great and tastes really good in lavender shortbread cookies,” she shared.
I asked Jeannie what she likes best about growing lavender and she described the unique connections it creates. “We have met so many nice people interested in our farm, lavender, or starting a lavender farm and have developed a number of loyal customers.”
The biggest event at Midfield Lavender Farm this year will be the 2025 U-Pick, a ticketed event that runs from
May 30th to June 19th. A ticket includes a visit to the working farm to cut fresh lavender, taking pictures, relaxing on the wrap-around porch with a homemade lavender infused lemonade, and exploring the farm’s other flowers. Handmade lavender products from Midfield Farm will be available in the gift shop along with a variety of potted lavender plants.
They also attend seasonal festivals, like the Oak Ridge Lavender Festival, and periodically the Kingsport Farmers Market. They have also found many stores wanting to sell their dried lavender products.
According to Jeannie, “Our two most popular products are our lavender and flaxseed neck wraps and eye pillows.”
Jeannie and Brian are hosting more music and public events on the farm in 2025. For more details and tickets, visit www.midfieldfarm.com or see facebook.
Photos courtesy of TN Home & Farm Magazine, and Midfield Lavender Farm