The Accidental Farmer

     As Stephen Robins was considering his retirement he was introduced to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State.  After a trip over to the land beyond Friday Harbor he initially purchased a small parcel, 10 acres, with the intention of making it self sustaining.  But he didn't want to compete with other agrarians who were raising crops for a living.  And after considerable research he decided to grow fields of lavender.  It's a perennial that doesn't need expensive fertilizer, doesn't need to be irrigated and is harvested only once a year, but on a rotating basis.

     His research indicated that of all the flowers in the garden lavender is perhaps the oldest, having been documented for over 2,500 years.  Its ability to soothe, to heal and to rejuvenate with the release of its remarkable aromatic properties has earned it high regard by aromatherapists, herbalists and even traditional medical professionals.

     Lavender is one of only a few select herbs that can be employed to flavor the entire food spectrum, from savory to sweet.  Consider its application with such diverse foods as lamb, custards, chocolate and olive oil.  But culinary lavender differs from the scented lavender that fills sachets.  Culinary grade lavender, while coming from the same plant, is harvested early in the flowering season when only a precious few of the flowers have actually opened up on the flowerhead.  First harvest lavender has not yet released a bitter essential oil that, while providing a characteristic aroma, is not suitable for culinary purposes.

 



     It is breath taking to round the back country road on San Juan Island and come across fields of lavender in bloom.  Stephen Robins, the accidental farmer, now cultivates his lavender at Pelindaba Farms and is very successful at it, too.  I happened upon their weekend Lavender Festival and joined the crowds to learn more about this ancient herb.  It was an enlightening and tasteful afternoon as I discovered the myriad of applications from lavender.  Everything from soaps, oils, creams, perfume were available for sale at the gatehouse farm store.  Lavender salt and pepper and vinegar were also in stock as was lavender infused olive oil, even distilled lavender gin!!!