Lavender Farms & Mental Health: How They Help with Stress Relief

Image of purple lavender buds on a row of plants on a lavender farm. Text reads "lavender farms for mental health and stress relief"

Lavender farms provide beautiful scenery and a natural retreat for mental wellness. The calming scent of lavender has been used for centuries to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Ongoing research supports these benefits, making lavender farms valuable spaces for holistic mental health support.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Lavender

Lavender is well-known for its calming effects. Research suggests that inhaling lavender essential oil may:

  • Lower cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone)
  • Reduce symptoms of anxiety
  • Improve sleep quality

A Sensory Experience for Mind and Body

Walking through a blooming lavender field is a full-body experience. The gentle rustling of plants in the breeze, the soft hum of bees, and the vibrant purple hues create a space that naturally encourages mindfulness. The fresh floral aroma can help slow racing thoughts, allowing visitors to breathe deeply and reconnect with themselves and with nature.

Community and Connection

Lavender farms offer a welcoming space for connection. Many of the farms host:

  • Workshops focused on self-care and stress management
  • Wellness retreats for relaxation and renewal
  • Hands-on aromatherapy sessions to explore the benefits of essential oils

These experiences provide more than just education—they foster a sense of shared healing, emotional resilience, and community.

Bringing Lavender into Everyday life

There are simples and natural ways to support well-being at home. People often use lavender to:

  • Promote relaxation with essential oils
  • Ease tension with dried lavender sachets
  • Support restful sleep with herbal teas

Visiting a lavender farm offers a chance to learn practical ways to integrate these benefits into daily routines, making stress relief more accessible.

Finding Healing in Nature

Nature has a profound impact on mental health. Spending time outdoors can:

  • Boost mood and reduce anxiety
  • Enhance mindfulness and presence
  • Promote overall emotional well-being

Lavender farms provide a calm, restorative environment where visitors can step away from daily stress and immerse themselves in beauty, fresh air, and tranquility.

Why not plan a self-care retreat this summer?

Lavender farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin

The Lavender Barnyard: A Local Oasis in Farmington, Minnesota

The Lavender Barnyard farm in Farmington, Minnesota. Left: The barn in the yard with rows of lavender plants that have been harvested. Top right: Lavender plant waiting to be harvested. Bottom right: Lavender up close.
The Lavender Barnyard farm in Farmington, Minnesota. Left: The barn in the yard with rows of lavender plants that have been harvested. Top right: Lavender plant waiting to be harvested. Bottom right: Lavender up close.

The Lavender Barnyard, owned by Marie and Marty Schuhwerck, is the only farm of its kind in Minnesota. Marty grew up playing on a neighboring farm, and now Marie cultivates nearly 400 lavender plants across four varieties: Phenomenal, Hidcote Blue, Edelweiss, and Gros Bleu.

Visitors can:

  • Take a personalized farm tour
  • Join U-pick lavender cutting sessions
  • Explore handcrafted lavender products at the Laiterie farm store

Marie also partners with local businesses to create wellness events and unique experiences, making The Lavender Barnyard a hub for community and relaxation.

New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm: A Healing Escape in Baraboo, Wisconsin

New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin with a lavender field full in bloom, The Secret Garden, and Owner Aron McReynolds talking about the varieties of lavender plants on the farm.
New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Top left: Lavender field in bloom. Bottom left: The Secret Garden and bee haven. Right: Owner Aron McReynolds explains the varieties of lavender on farm.

New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm spans 40 acres, featuring:

  • 18,000 lavender plants across 25 varieties
  • 8 acres of wildflowers
  • Lavender-infused culinary delights (syrups, pies, ice cream, teas, and more)

Owners Aron and Laura McReynolds have carefully cultivated this farm to highlight the therapeutic and culinary benefits of lavender. Visitors can take a wagon ride to explore the lavender fields and Secret Garden for a full sensory experience.

Rowley Creek Lavender Farm: Rooted in Aloha in Baraboo, Wisconsin

Rowley Creek Lavender Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin. A beautiful Aloha welcome and sign to the entrance of the farm. Fresh lavender harvested that day. Still set up for demonstration with hydrosol in jars.
Rowley Creek Lavender Farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Top left: A beautiful Aloha welcome to the farm. Bottom left: Fresh lavender harvested that day. Right: Still set up for demonstration.

Rowley Creek Lavender Farm, nestled in the scenic Baraboo Bluffs, is run by Kehaulani and AJ Jones with their five children. Their Aloha Sustained Agriculture philosophy honors the land through sustainable farming.

Highlights include:

  • 23 lavender cultivars grown with love and care
  • Handcrafted botanical skincare, culinary treats, and dried bouquets at the Farm Cottage Boutique
  • Classes and beauty respites led by owner Kehaulani, a Certified Aromatherapist

Discover the Healing Power of Lavender

Lavender farms offer more than a scenic getaway—they are spaces for stress relief, self-care, and connection to nature. Whether you’re looking to manage anxiety, chronic stress, or simply unwind, visiting a lavender farm can be a meaningful part of your mental wellness journey.

Resources

Looking for a farm beyond Minnesota and Wisconsin? Visit the United States Lavender Growers Association (USLGA) website for a map of lavender farms that are open to the public. You can also learn about the different lavender varieties and their uses.

Thinking about growing lavender in your own garden? Michigan State University as a self-based online course called the Growing Lavender Curriculum.

If you’re seeking integrative mental health support, feel free to reach out or Schedule a Free 15-Minute Intro Call.

Jen Shepherd, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist and clinical aromatherapist in the Twin Cities. Through Shepherd Therapy, she provides online therapy for individuals in Minnesota and Wisconsin, specializing in integrative health, anxiety, trauma, recovery, and chronic health issues. At Shepherd Wellness, she offers professional consultation to mental health providers on incorporating aromatherapy into their practice.