From Crumbling Schoolhouse to 5,000 Blooms
The Accidental Lavender Farm Reviving Rural Indiana
What began as an impulsive effort to save a deteriorating 1904 schoolhouse has blossomed into one of Northern Indiana’s most unexpected sensory experiences. At Bloomfield Lavender Schoolhouse in LaGrange County, guests hear owner Marion’s story of becoming an “accidental lavender farmer” – turning 20 plants into more than 5,000 while restoring a historic township school. The experience moves from fragrant lavender rows to the restored classrooms, where visitors learn how the plant’s ancient history – from Egyptian perfumes to Roman bath rituals – connects to modern wellness and culinary trends. Along the way, they sample lavender-infused treats, create hands-on apothecary projects, and step inside a building that once echoed with spelling bees and piano recitals. It’s part farm tour, part preservation story, and part small-town revival – offering media rich visuals, personal storytelling, and a powerful narrative about how one family’s leap of faith helped a historic Indiana landmark bloom again.
Book Your Lavender Immersion
An afternoon immersion that will change how you think about lavender. Taste the harvest. Make something beautiful.
Duration of class: 90 minutes
Price: $35 per person
Guests per class: 5-12
Pro Tip: If you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or physical accommodations, please let us know ahead of time!
Meet Marion Wiggins
At the heart of Bloomfield is Marion Wiggins: owner, maker, farmer, and mother. Guided by faith and grounded in family, Marion brings care and intentionality to everything she does, from tending lavender fields to handcrafting each product with love. Marion joins the Shipshe Stories Podcast right from the fields of lavender in LaGrange. From restoring the historic Bloomfield Schoolhouse to creating a space where history, nature, and community could flourish together, Marion has an incredible story to share.
