MADISON, N.C.- A lavender farm has cropped up in Stokes County over the past few years, and it’s the only one of its kind in the area.

• The farm is producing nine varieties of lavender
• She started the farm about three years ago
• The goal is for the farm to be self sustaining

The farm is producing nine varieties of lavender, offering nearly endless ways to use the plant.

Farmer Dorothy Phoenix says her ultimate goal is to have 18 acres of rolling purple lavender. To her, the plants are considered family.

"I know all my little babies in this field,” says Phoenix, “From the time they're at a cutting to the time I plant them."

As beautiful as the fields are in bloom, her favorite part comes after the harvest when she puts the plants to use.

"The list is so endless. You can put it in flower arrangements once its dried. You can take it off the stems. You can put the buds in sachets. You can also use the stems for barbecue skewers, shish kabobs, fire starters. You can make whisk brooms out of it."

Phoenix also said the stems make for some good flavor and aroma in soup.

She started the farm about three years ago and says it’s all about trial and error.

"You got to know what you're looking for, and you have to be willing to work and keep your plants clean. When your plant starts to die, it's heartbreaking. You just gotta start over and never give up."

Another goal on the horizon, for the farm to be self-sustaining.

"My goals will be to one day have a still so I don't have to send the product off to get a good quality lavender oil,” says Phoenix, “I want to stay contained on my farm, distill my own lavender oil and produce my own culinary right here on the farm."

For now, she’ll keep doing what she can on her farm, getting lavender out to those who love the plant just as much as she does.

"Once people get the word out that you're selling lavender, folks will call you, they'll come. Not everyone has lavender, and its a beautiful thing."

Frogholler Lavender Farm is a vendor at the King Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and the Stokes Future Farmers Market at Hanging Rock State Park most Saturdays.