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This week, Erin Hafeli, owner of Lightwell Lavender Farm, posted on NextDoor that she is selling her farm located on Carroll Road. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to steward this land,” she writes. “Sincere thanks to our community for your encouragement and patronage. Lightwell Lavender Farm is newly listed for sale, please tell everyone!”
I am doing my part by spreading the word, Erin! View the listing here.
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Commenters on NextDoor praised Erin for her work on the lavender farm and willingness to explore new avenues for farm revenue. While the Township recently approved a special use permit request for an aromatherapy sauna on the farm, it also came with several restrictions.
One commenter wrote: “You’re the type of young, innovative farmer that Old Mission needs.” From another: “I hope you still continue to do all that you have done for the farming community and the opportunity presents itself for you to continue to pursue your dream without the burden of restrictions from a township board.”
As for whether Erin will continue her work on the Township’s Agricultural Advisory Committee, she writes, “I hope to continue to advocate for farmers on OMP as part of the Ag Committee going forward, as long as they’ll have me.”
And regarding Carter’s Compost, which had a drop-off location at Lightwell Lavender, Erin hopes that some other farm will step up and take on that role. Or perhaps, she writes, “Maybe we can appeal to the Township to add this to Devils Dive Recycling Center.”
Erin was also working on a Garden Allotment Program, whereby residents of the community could sign up for garden plots. Perhaps another farm will pick up this idea, as well.
And if you’re worried about her lavender face oil going away, fear not! Erin says she will continue to make it for customers. Contact her through the Lightwell Lavender site or email [email protected] to get on the list.
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The sup came with 18 restrictions. Erin willingly agreed to reduce the sessions from 70 to 35, cut hours & days of operations all of which were outside of a farmer’s rights under GAAMP. She had followed the sup process for over a year & addressed the township’s concerns. Right before approving, the board added a restriction of limiting gross sales to 49% which drastically reduces Erin’s profits & put controls on her business. There is currently no process for her to further work through this with board short of possibly involving an attorney. Her only option is to sell.
This is what happens when the township people think they should control the running of a business with needless restrictions. Why not just let a farmer run their business and their accessory businesses as long as the accessory business does not exceed 50 per cent of sales.
There are people on the township board and committees that have no appreciation for the needs and obstacles farmers face today. Here is another farmer and a young one at that who finds herself having to give up her dream.
The township needs to change their attitude and say what can we do to help instead of their usual we will make it as difficult as we can for you.
There are too many people who think the dreaded commercial nature of farming is a no no. Whoever thinks farming is not a commercial venture should try it out sometime and see if they can succeed.