Lavender has been used for 2,500 years. It was used by Egyptians in the mummification process.
Lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy. Its calming properties may help relieve insomnia, lower anxiety and soothe a headache. Besides its fragrance is pleasing.
Experience lavender’s attributes at Under the Stars Farm where immersive activities await. Located in upper Gloucester County, Under the Stars Farm has become a popular destination for a variety of reasons.
Products
Under the Stars Farm uses its lavender to create products that harness the plant’s calming and aromatic properties, explained CJ McDonald, who along with her husband, Billy, owns the farm.
They hand-harvest their lavender at its peak to ensure the highest quality using it to craft soothing essential oils, fragrant wreaths, and luxurious bath and body products, she explained. Additionally, they have an entire line of culinary lavender including lavender simple syrup, and artisan teas. During the season they often have baked goods available. “We expect lavender season to run from the middle of May through the end of June, CJ said.
Sanctuary
From adversity Under the Stars Farm emerged… a prayer answered.
In 2015, CJ retired from corporate America to work with small businesses to help them increase revenue using principles and a methodology she used in her corporate career. While she continues to work with select clients, CJ’s initial plan was derailed by Billy’s surgery at the VA hospital in San Diego that resulted in the loss of 6 inches of his median nerve, which controls forearm, wrist and hand movements, CJ explained.
In an instant their lives changed. Finding peace became their priority. “After the surgery, I prayed fervently for healing,” CJ recalls. “A pastor friend of mine then asked me what my family needed most, to which I replied, ‘peace in the chaos.’ And so, I began praying for exactly that.”
Tranquility
Their quest for tranquility led to Dutton in upper Gloucester County where they stumbled upon a 127-acre property that “whispered promise,” CJ shared. “We purchased the farm for the sole purpose of peace; there was no intention of farming.”
With 100 acres of woods, they hired a forestry management expert who recommended selective cutting some areas but advised clear cutting one section. CJ and Billy encountered emotional repercussions witnessing the scar of clear-cut timbering, she said.
With a steadfast refusal to yield to despair, CJ, leveraging her business experience, embarked on a journey of discovery.
Sharing her insight, CJ said, “Did you know that despite being the second largest consumer of lavender globally, the United States produces less than 2%?”
Her determination turned adversity into opportunity as she converted desolate acres into a flourishing lavender farm. What started with 150 plants soon blossomed into fields with more than 4,000 lavender plants, a line of lavender products, and a testament to CJ’s resilience and the family’s unwavering support of her dream.
Knock on her door
More challenges loomed on the horizon. A devastating setback in 2022 resulted in the loss of the majority of their lavender crop, reflecting a national trend felt by farmers across the United States. “The financial strain for a small farm like ours was almost unbearable. At one point, I thought, ‘I’m done.’ ”
Then there was a knock on her door.
It was in the heat of the summer, and CJ had just returned from the fields when she encountered Lizzy, a college-aged woman selling scholastic books. CJ recounts the story with a smile, “It was July, hot, and I was tired. I had just returned home and was about to eat when someone knocked on my door. There stood Lizzy, bright-eyed and smiling, eager to share about her scholastic books.”
Despite CJ’s initial impatience, Lizzy kept talking. “I asked her to get to the point a few times,” CJ said. “Eventually, something Lizzy said softened my heart, and I invited Lizzy and her partner inside.”
CJ ended up purchasing books for her grandkids and invited them to visit the lavender fields that weekend. On Saturday, Lizzy expressed her gratitude but explained her busy Saturday schedule and that she had a team-building event on Sunday.
Invitation
CJ offered the use of the lavender fields for Lizzy and her colleagues to use for their team-building meeting on Sunday. The students enjoyed a day of laughter, games, training and personal development at the farm. “It was so cool to watch,” said CJ.
What happened next, she said, “can only be described as a God moment.” Late that afternoon, her daughter was closing up for the day and asked CJ to come inside the store. “She proceeded to tell me that the college students had purchased more than $3,000 in merchandise . . . it was precisely the amount needed to recover from the setback for the month. Down to the very penny.
“This serendipitous turn of events,” as CJ describes it, “felt like a Divine intervention, showcasing the power of community, resilience, and unexpected blessings arising from challenges.”
With a new energy, CJ and Billy began the process of revitalizing the flower fields, introduced sunflowers, tulips, daffodils, and added a variety of workshops for their guests.
Under the Stars Farm became more than just a place of cultivation—but a beacon of hope and resilience within the community.
Buzzing
With each season, the farm unveils new plans and initiatives to enrich guests’ experiences and foster a deeper connection to the land, said CJ.
Under the Stars Farm is buzzing with anticipation for the new season with a new cut garden area, the unveiling of a secret garden, an array of new varieties for pick-your-own flowers, and an expanded lineup of workshops, promising an even more immersive and delightful experience for all who visit, said CJ.
The promise of new beginnings hangs in the air, infused with the heady scent of lavender and the anticipation of what lies ahead for the McDonald family and Under the Stars Farm, said CJ. “The journey is far from over; it is a perpetual adventure of growth, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of peace amidst the chaos of life.”
A Bright Future
Today, Under the Stars Farm stands as a testament to the McDonald family’s unwavering resolve and innovative spirit. Their commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the land is evident in every facet of their operation, from succession planting to the thoughtful curation of specialty events that invite guests to immerse themselves in nature’s embrace.
Explore the farm
Make Mother’s Day weekend special with a Lavender Tea Party on Saturday, May 11, from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy a light lunch and their delicious lavender tea on the lawn. Farm tables will be filled with scones, tea cakes, sweet potato biscuits, madeleines and of course lavender tea.
This is a lovely event to enjoy with your mom, grandmother, aunts, sisters and friends.
The event includes delectable tea savories, specially made lavender tea, their signature Lavender lemonade, music, and “Fairy Craft” for all ages. Learn to make luxurious handcrafted soaps that are good for your skin and body with high quality butters, fragrance oils, natural botanicals and naturally occurring colorants.
This soap-making workshop is perfect for those who want to learn something new and have a great time doing it.
Participants will leave with six bars of soap, that make a great gift.
Soap & Sip includes a soap-making kit with goats milk soap base, fragrance oils, soap recipe card to create handcrafted soap, plus a glass of wine or lavender lemonade and expert instruction. More than 300 visitors engaged in soap workshops in 2023. Advanced reservations are a must.
Also on the calendar is the annual Lavender Dessert Competition, affectionately dubbed “One Sweet Night.”
Under the Stars Farm
7235 Dutton Road, Gloucester
804-413-9131
