Warner farm’s lavender business flourishes, enabled by USDA value-added grant program

March 29, 2026 - 21:06

Growth is at the top of Missy Biagiotti’s mind. Already, she counts on the help of more than 20 employees during the busiest months of the year at Lavender Fields at Pumpkin Blossom Farm in Warner, while new horizons lie ahead for the business she co-owns with her husband, Mike.

The couple is adding three new high-tunnel greenhouses to extend their growing season and experimenting with new lavender varieties. This expansion is fueled in part by a federal Value-Added Producer Grant, designed to help agricultural entrepreneurs increase their revenue by developing new products or expanding markets.

For the farm, the grant has been transformative, providing crucial capital for infrastructure and product development. The business has flourished beyond simple u-pick operations, now creating a diverse line of value-added goods including essential oils, soaps, and culinary products sold on-site and online.

The farm's success story highlights how targeted agricultural funding can help small, family-run operations scale up, create local jobs, and strengthen the rural economy. By investing in processing and direct marketing, farms like this one capture more of the consumer dollar, ensuring greater sustainability and a vibrant future for local agriculture.