Since the tobacco buy out, Elliott County has been looking for ways to add agricultural diversification to the area. Some have moved to raising more hay and cattle. Some turned their tobacco ground into corn and soy bean fields but one couple who recently purchased a small farm here in the County turned what use to be an old tobacco base into something a little different! 

Jeremiah and Cindy Littleton purchased a farm out on Rocky Branch Rd, here in Elliott County in early 2022, as a weekend getaway farm with plans to one day take permanent residence. Not long after the Littleton's got settled in they made a visit to the Elliott County Extension Office to inquire on their plans to grow Lavender. I had never known of anyone growing lavender in this area and the idea of a new niche crop here in Elliott Co. was exciting.  

The Littleton's had done their research and homework on growing Lavender. They found that Lavender likes low to moderately low fertile soil, so their was no need to attempt to amend the organic matter. The Littleton's found a few acres on their farm that was well drained and easily tillable and started their lavender adventure. 

After tilling they laid their lavender garden out in mounded rows to allow for good drainage and put plastic down with holes just big enough to plant the lavender. Afterwards they put pea gravel down all the rows and between the plants as well to help with drainage and erosion.

The lavender was planted in fall of 2022 and the Littleton's had a very successful harvest in first few weeks of July 2023. They cut the lavender at the base and tied them in hands much like you would tie a tobacco hand years ago. They hung the hands in an old tobacco barn on the property. 

Turns out that lavender, if managed properly and planted in the right soil, can do very well in the foothill of the Appalachian Mountains. 

Through a distillation process the Littleton's will extract the Lavender oil and Hydrosol to sale as scents and essential oils. They hope to soon get a couple hives of honey bees and be able to have some lavender honey for sale with in the next few seasons. 

It is always exciting to have more agr. diversity move into our county especially when the product grows well and the adventure is successful. 

Thank you to Jeremiah and Cindy Littleton for letting us tag along and learn with you about another great agricultural product that grows well in our area.