About Hillcrest Lavender Farm
Founded by Eric and Kathy, Hillcrest Lavender Farm is a family-owned lavender farm in Sherburne, New York, nestled on the picturesque hills where Eric, a lifelong resident of Sherburne, played as a child. Eric purchased the property in 1992 and married Kathy in 1999. Years later, inspired by Kathy’s vision in the summer of 2016, they began researching lavender farming and preparing for a new chapter.
After months of planning and learning, the field was prepared in the spring of 2017, and their LLC was officially formed in June of that year to become the premier lavender farm in Central New York.
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In 2018, we offered our first u-pick lavender season. The following year, along with continuing to open our lavender field to the public, we opened our first lavender farm “shop,” which consisted of little more than a wooden table and seven products.
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With time, adjustments, and the addition of a tractor, the lavender farm began to grow. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to host u-pick lavender as well as offer products for sale.
Determined to get the most out of our harvest, we purchased a copper still in 2020 and began producing our own lavender essential oil and hydrosol, expanding and developing our own lavender products.
Humble Beginnings of Our Lavender Farm
Growth, Success, and Setback
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In 2020, we began to harvest our lavender field for dried lavender buds and to distill lavender essential oil and hydrosol. We welcomed two Babydoll lambs, affectionately named Beau and Peep, to help with weed control in the field. They quickly became popular with our more than 2000 u-pick lavender guests throughout our 2021 season. Our success and the support of our local Upstate New York community allowed us to add a small building to create a lavender farm shop.
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In 2022, an unusually warm winter caused the lavender plants to begin to come out of dormancy early. However, a late snowstorm in April brought 20 inches of very wet snow, followed by several days of extreme cold. This storm devastated our lavender field and killed approximately 90% of our lavender plants. This same problem occurred at many lavender farms on the East Coast of North America. Despite this setback, we remained committed to rebuilding and continuing to grow.
Hillcrest Lavender Farm Today
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We currently have over 3000 lavender plants, and we welcome the public during the summer months for u-pick lavender. After the season, we harvest the lavender ourselves to create and sell products in our year-round farm shop. In recent years, we’ve focused heavily on improving the visitor experience at our Central New York lavender farm. We’ve added a deer fence, gazebo, parking lot, Woodpecker Way (a walking path through the nearby woods), and a brand-new, permanent shop. Our updated distillery now features a larger still, where visitors can see Eric distilling lavender firsthand.
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With the addition of four new lambs in 2022, our flock tripled. Daryl, Daryl, Larry, Annabelle, and their distinct personalities help Beau and Peep weed our lavender field and entertain our guests. We are also proud to be a Harvest Hosts location, welcoming RV travelers for overnight stays. In addition, we host private and public workshops, events, photography sessions, and tours by request.
As Hillcrest Lavender Farm continues to grow, we are proud to welcome visitors from across the United States and around the world to our lavender farm. We prioritize our guests, offering a welcoming, family-friendly environment and a genuine country-style experience for everyone who visits.
