Sequim, Washington (Pronounced sk-wim) – Sequim is one of the most beautiful places in America, and, because of that, its agricultural way of life has been threatened by expanding population and development. The answer is lavender. This is the story of how a group of small farms got together to grow and brand lavender to save farmland and an agricultural way of life.

Sequim’s majestic setting at the sheltered end of the Olympic Peninsula provides abundant sunshine, fertile soil, and a mild maritime climate - perfect conditions for growing intensely aromatic and vibrantly colored lavenders of all types. “It’s the soil that we’re trying to keep,” said Tom Mix, one of the founders of the Sequim Growers Cooperative (SGC). We want to encourage people to buy farms and create farms… and grow lavender.”

It is not merely lavender that is grown in the Sequim and Dungeness Valley; it is arguably the finest lavender in the world. “The Sequim Growers Cooperative was founded to produce high quality lavender products while preserving agricultural heritage,” said Marie Barnett, SGC’s Marketing and Sales Director. “Small farms and new farms needed a way to market products together, not to compete against each other. We could have competed with each other right out of our way of life. The cooperative and its website give us a chance to reach out to the general public with our products. People can learn about us, buy wonderful lavender products and support our cause – which is to keep agricultural land farm land and to provide superior products.”

The cooperative provides a website for people all over the country to purchase lavender and lavender products (http://www.sequimgrowers.com/). “Sequim Lavender is lovingly grown on small farms,” said Nancy Radich, owner of Rocking N Ranch and member of SGC. Products from the members of SGC can not only be found on the website but locally at the Port Townsend and Poulsbo Farmers Markets. Barnett is taking orders from retailers who wish to carry SGC fresh lavender bundles during “Fresh Lavender Season”. She is also responsible for the outreach across Washington State and the nation.

“For thousands of years, lavender has been the sweetly satisfying scent of summer,” explained Barnett. “The spiky-stemmed lavender, with square-shaped blossoms and distinctive fragrance is a delight to your senses. You will find all Sequim Growers Cooperative quality lavender products to be distinctive and enchanting.” Visitors to the SGC secure online store will find unique lavender gifts, sachets, oils, home products, buds, bundles and more all produced by its 19 farmers and growing. In addition, the wholesale area offers bulk pricing and large order discounts are offered by calling Barnett directly.

“The Sequim Quality Seal is your assurance of quality and the commitment that we will provide lasting satisfaction,” explained Barnett. “The Sequim Growers Cooperative is a 501(c)6 nonprofit. Our commitment is to provide the finest quality lavender so our farmers can maintain their agricultural quality of life. We are also committed to seeing that the town of Sequim and its surrounding area does not completely lose its amazing fertile soil. We are asking consumers everywhere to help us in this by purchasing products off our website.”

Those interested in learning more about the Sequim Growers Cooperative can visit its website at http://www.sequimgrowers.com/. The Sequim Growers Cooperative is a producers co-op dedicated to producing the very highest quality lavender products while preserving agricultural heritage. You may also contact Sequim Growers Cooperative, P.O. Box 4046 Sequim, WA. 98382. Phone: 360-681-8553.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 27th, 2006 at 2:04 am and is filed under Business, Sequim Washington. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.