PA Preferred® Willow Springs Lavender invites you to “just breathe.” Its calming, fragrant products offer aromatic, culinary and personal care solutions for everydday life. The stunning Bedford County farm grows over 20 lavender cultivars creating a sea of white to deep, dark purple blooms all summer long. The history of the farmland runs deep, something that owner and operator Sally Miller honors through her ongoing hospitality.
We chatted with Miller about her handcrafted lavender products for body, home, and pet and dove into her life as a lavender farmer in our Q&A below. Miller is a proud PA Preferred member, and says, “PA Preferred means that your purchase supports Pennsylvania farmers and locally grown products. When you see the PA Preferred logo, you can trust that the ingredients are sourced and produced right here in Pennsylvania—strengthening local agriculture, preserving farmland and keeping small farms thriving. At Willow Springs Lavender, being PA Preferred reflects our commitment to growing, crafting, and creating with care—right from our farm to your home while preserving the land and our deep historical Civil War roots.”
Read on to learn more about this tranquil and enchanting Pennsylvania lavender farm:
PA Eats: What do you love about what you do?
Sally Miller: I appreciate the flexibility to be my own boss, educating people about the various uses of lavender and contributing to agri-tourism in Pennsylvania.
What are some of your most popular items?
Lavender simple syrup is a delicious blend with a variety of uses, from lavender lemonade to coffee or tea, cocktails and specialty recipes. I love that it is made from a culinary blend of dried lavender, giving customers a taste of this beautiful plant.
Don’t Bug Me! spray is an all natural, beautifully scented spray for all ages.
Lavender eye pillows are made with a mixture of lavender, sage and flaxseed. They’re a perfect addition to a meditation practice and end-of-day relaxation.
What makes Pennsylvania a special place to farm lavender?
Pennsylvania limestone and well drained soil are wonderful. Lavender thrives when its roots stay dry, and poor drainage is its biggest enemy. Pennsylvania’s soils help to prevent that. Pennsylvania also has distinct seasons with cold winters. Lavender needs a period of dormancy to stay healthy and build strong blooms. Moderate rainfall and full summer sun are also positive factors. Pennsylvania’s cold winters and warm summers create the cycle to rest, reset and flourish year after year.
What sets your farm apart?
Willow Springs Lavender is rooted in more than just soil—it’s rooted in history, resilience and renewal. Our farm sits on land where Civil War soldiers (Pennsylvania Bucktail Regiment) once camped while awaiting orders, a place shaped by endurance, patience and the quiet moments between hardship and hope.
Today, that same land is home to rows of lavender—grown, harvested and handcrafted into calming products designed to help you slow down and breathe. We honor the past by caring for the land with intention, growing lavender that thrives naturally in Pennsylvania’s climate and crafting each product in small batches with purpose. A place once marked by waiting and uncertainty now grows something meant to soothe, restore and bring peace through the calming fragrance of lavender.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m excited about the continual education of future generations about the diversity of farming, keeping history alive through reenactments at the farm and leaving a legacy for my children and grandchildren.
Willow Springs Lavender farm is open to the public during the blooming season of June through mid July. All ages are welcome and the farm is open for tours, photography, yoga, picnics and picking your own bundles. Shop hours can be arranged by appointment during the off season. Visit the farm website and the shop during seasonal hours to purchase products.
This series was created in collaboration with PA Preferred.
PA Preferred® is Pennsylvania’s statewide branding program that promotes locally grown and processed food and other agricultural products.
- Photos: Willow Springs Lavender
