Dawn Torrance is proud to be growing her lavender crop on the same land that her descendant Henry Havens farmed in 1868. Dawn and her brother, Darren, now own the ground where they operate an Airbnb, Lavender Grove Farmhouse, and Dawn’s lavender business, Lavender Haven. (her maiden name just happens to be Havens).
Torrance is in her fifth year of growing lavender and selling it and its by-products. One of her strains, called “phenomenal,” produces highly fragrant, silvery-green foliage and vibrant purplish- blue flower spikes that make excellent cut or dried arrangements. From Phenomenal, Torrance makes bubble bath, sachet boils, essence oils and foams. From another variety, Hidcote, Dawn makes culinary lavender for baking breads and cookies, as well as packets for steeping tea.
Dawn now has more time to “farm” now that she has retired this past May from 35 years of teaching.
Customers looking for Dawn’s lavender products can find them at Bloom Macomb at 1510 E. Jackson St., Route 9 Salon at 8270 Il. State Route 9, Sciota, and Good Hope Gardens at 445 E. Main St., Good Hope. Lavender Haven also has a booth at the Galesburg Farmers Market on Saturdays and she is in the process of deciding to sign up for the Macomb Farmers Market. This spring will find Torrance adding more lavender plants to her existing plot of 275, and expanding her product lines. Having her field next to their Airbnb works out well, as lodging customers sometimes purchase her products and Dawn can leave free samples for them in the Airbnb, which also makes the totally refurbished house smell great.
Lavender Haven does not have regular business hours, but Dawn would be happy to meet customers by appointment at the field on the County Line Road that separates McDonough and Fulton counties, between the Murphy Blacktop and Marietta Highway 95. She can also be reached by email at [email protected].
