About Martha

Martha O. Wilczynski, Owner Lavender Hill Farm, Niles, Michigan 

Hi, I'm Martha Otto Wilczynski.  With my husband Bill, I own and operate Lavender Hill Farm.  After years of living in different places, Bill and I bought my family's farm in 1998 and began the journey we are now on. In 2001 we planted our first 2000 lavender plants.  In subsequent years, we started distilling our lavender flowers to make our own fragrant lavender water and small quantities of essential oil.  We also joined with a beekeeper friend  to keep bees at our farm and produce our own deliciously fragrant lavender honey. And I started producing the soaps, balms, sachets and lotions that I now offer for sale in our shop and at the farmers markets I attend. 

I have incorporated our experience growing lavender into a powerpoint presentation titled "Growing Lavender in Michigan" that I have given to several Garden Clubs. As we learn and develop new techniques the presentation is continually updated.  Our farm is also a great place to have your garden club summer outing. 

During the lavender bloom time, from mid-June to mid-July we are open 6 days a week for U-pick lavender and to allow people to come out and wander through the field. Our farm shop is open at least one day a week from March through mid-December.

We hope you can come out to the the farm, visit our shop and experience the beautiful setting we enjoy every day.  Please check our event calendar on this website under the "our farm" pulldown menu to see our open hours. 

Education

Master of Landscape Architecture. Ball State University. 1996.

Master of Science, Botany & Plant Pathology. Michigan State University.  1987.

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry Concentratration in Biochemistry. University of Notre Dame. 1983.

Professional Experience

2001-Present:  Owner, Lavender Hill Farm, Niles, MI. Grows and processes several varieties of lavender.  Develops and produces products using lavender and sells at several farmers markets and bazaars.  Opened the Lavender Hill Shop, Fall 2008.

1993-2008, Project Manager, Wetland Biologist, JFNew & Associates, Walkerton, Indiana. Identified and delineated wetland areas using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines.  Prepared state and federal permit applications and wetland mitigation designs for various development projects.  Designed native landscaping and natural habitat areas as amenities for site development projects.  Prepared site erosion control plans required by state NPDES rules.

Recent Presentations:

2008: Niles Garden Club; Buchanan Garden Club; “Growing Lavender in Michigan”

2009: South Haven Garden Club; Elkhart Four Winds Garden Club; “Growing Lavender in Michigan”