In 2015, Palmerton-natives Chris and Sheri Anthony weren't necessarily looking to move when they came across this 35 acre former Mennonite retreat for sale just a few miles from their home. They toured the main building and fell in love.

“As soon as I saw the view out the front, I started to cry because it was just so beautiful and breathtaking,” Sheri recalled.

They put down roots here, in more ways than one. Two years after moving into their new home, the Anthony's began planting lavender for fun. They realized the picky crop grows well here.

“I took pictures of our very first bundle and posted them to Facebook. People started asking, ‘where did you get that?’ and ‘where's the farm?’ I said, ‘well that's just in our yard’,” Sheri added.

They eventually decided to share their lavender, and land, with the public. Quiet Hills Lavender Farm was born in 2020. It has become a popular place to have a picnic or professional photo shoot, walk the pooch, and purchase lavender-based products. “Our gift shop is filled with products we or our friends really love. This year, we also added our own handcrafted soap made on the farm,” Sheri said.

There are plans to expand with a lavender festival and event venue. The Anthony's daughter even took her engagement photos and said ‘I do’ from the farm. ‘We would love to build a barn where we can have small music events. People have requested to have weddings and baby showers here. We even had a business ask about having their Christmas party with us,” Sheri said.

The Anthony's tend to 6,000 plants in five varieties, all at different stages of development. This is in addition to their full time careers of running their family-owned supermarket, also in Palmerton. “Every night I come home from work, go down to the field, and work until the sun goes down,” Chris said.

Farming came naturally to Chris, thanks to his longtime interest in gardening and knowledge as a former high school chemistry teacher. He credits this passion project with lowering his high blood pressure, which he no longer needs medication for. He adds, “it’s maybe a testament to getting your hands in the dirt and reconnecting with nature."

Quiet Hills Lavender Farm is open weekends or by appointment. Although the lavender's peak bloom is in the summer, you can stop by throughout the year to purchase products from the gift shop.