The Lavender Farm at Sutliff
The Lavender Farm at Sutliff, LLC, began in 2022. The farm near Lisbon grows 1,300 lavender plants on one acre and sells its products through you-pick events and at the Iowa City Farmers Market. The farm’s lavender products include fresh bouquets, dried bouquets, dried sachets and other value-added lavender products. Currently, there is a high demand for dried lavender buds to make value-added products, including soaps, candles, sachets, skin care products and culinary items. There is also a high demand from local coffee shops to make lavender simple syrup for coffee and tea.
The Lavender Farm’s Choose Iowa grant project will expand its capacity to process lavender and offer value-added products. The farm will purchase a Besel mini lavender processor to mechanically remove lavender buds from stems more efficiently and cost effectively. This will expand the farm’s market channels as the demand is high for lavender. The processor will also allow the farm to add value to its products by using the buds to make soaps, candles, skin care products and more.
The farm expects to increase the value-added products it can produce and sell, as well as the farm’s gross and net sales. This project will allow The Lavender Farm to expand its production into new products and markets, and continue to serve the community into the futures. 
