Wisconites look forward to summer day trip adventures all winter long. A trip east on highway 54 will take any summer adventurer to a hidden gem in a field of almost 4,000 lavender plants tucked away in Kewaunee, Wis.
Simon and Amber Hewett took a leap of faith in 2021, purchasing the 40 acres next to their own small family farm where they raised beef and lamb for their own family, selling any extra to local families. For decades farming was simply a way to relax. With a graduate degree in Agriculture economics, Amber is a co-owner of an agricultural service business where she did consulting work in animal welfare and business. COVID ended her consulting trips throughout the United States, and like many at this time, Amber began to reflect on life’s next chapter. A trip to Washington Island and a walk among Fragrant Isle’s lavender farm inspired how she would spend the next few years. In 2021, the Hewetts planted 100 plants which thrived on that “high and dry” land with lots of sun. The sandy loam soil drains well, and, while most lavender takes four years to harvest, these plants were harvested after two years. One hundred plants turned into thousands and now we are all rewarded with this field of violet, its purple haze encouraging us to come and explore all that at Glen Innish Farm has to offer.
And that is what Amber wants—visitors walking among the lavender. Agritourism links farming to the community, leading to more understanding of what nature has to offer, and forming a connection between plate and farm. “There’s a lot of room for growth in this area. Letting visitors touch, feel, smell, ask questions and learn is the most important part of what we do.” The sight and scent of a lavender field tempts us to walk among it.
When the Hewetts began their journey with lavender they planned “backwards.” They knew what they wanted their end products to be—essential oils, culinary herbs, and bouquets—and chose lavender that would result in quality end products. There are 45 species of lavender and 450 varieties. Grosso lavender creates the essential oils for the health and body products sold in the farm store. Amber’s mother was a herbologist so she grew up very familiar with how herbs could be used for medicinal purposes. “When I was young, my friends used to tease me that I grew up with magic potions,” Amber shared. While the Sleep Tight and Lavender Dreams are favorites in the aromatherapy, the most popular scent in the health and wellness section is Honey Fields. Glen Innish is currently working to combine varieties of lavender to create their own signature scent. With more people concerned about avoiding chemicals, local plant based products like the ones found at Glen Innish will become more popular.
Lavender is also appearing in more and more kitchens. The Hewetts grow Hidcote, an English lavender, for culinary purposes. Glen Innish also invites chefs periodically.
“Chef Ace Champion, who teaches cooking class in Green Bay, and this spring taught a class [at our farm],” Amber says. “He taught at Glen Innish a few weeks ago. He used our lavender sea salt in a cajun rub on a leg of lamb. I have used lavender in the kitchen for years and had never even thought of putting it on lamb before.”
Its name Glen Innish originates from the couple’s Scottish heritage and Gaelic terms of Glen, or the pastoral, or valley for resting animals, and Innish meaning by the water.
Visit www.gleninnish.com for more details, events and farm store hours.
