OUR STORY
Welcome to Lavender Crest Foundation – We are a THERAPY CARE FARM located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, just outside of Penn Yan. The farm sits on the crest of a hill that overlooks Keuka Lake and has 15 acres filled with therapeutic animals, lavender, flowers and nature.
Our History
David and Sharon moved to the farm in 1987. At that time it was being used as a vineyard. The Sweets began right away to transform it removing the vines, posts and wires to create a place for some sheep and Icelandic horses, rescued dogs and cats and the propagation of lavender, flowers and fruit.
Both David and Sharon worked full-time in the field of education. David working on the college level, Sharon a high school science teacher. Over the years, they both enjoyed the outdoors; long walks with dogs in tow, work in the lavender and flower gardens and all the peacefulness that animals and gardening brings to our lives.
Things changed in 2012 when Sharon needed a second hip replacement and then revision surgery that required her to be bedridden without a permanent hip for three months. This began a very long process of rehabilitation to gain some mobility; first a wheelchair, then a walker and eventually a cane, leaving her permanently disabled and forced to retire from teaching. This experience opened both of their eyes to the lack of open spaces with proper trails so that people with disabilities can enjoy animals. flowers and what nature has to offer.
The solution
While doing some research, David came across therapy care farms that allow people to use their various senses to experience the outdoors and the plants and animals that live there. He realized that, if available, therapy care farms would be an answer to the problem. However, while popular in Europe, therapy care farms are relatively new in the United States. So, the idea that evolved was to turn Lavender Crest Farm into a therapy care farm devoted to providing a safe and healing place for animals and people that is accessible to all. A farm where young and old can experience sensory areas and intimate spaces. Individuals can immersed themselves in the fragrances, textures and colors of plants. Natural areas will provide effective and creative animal-assisted therapy. This encourages the development of human-animal relationships, a positive, non-judgmental environment for individuals and animals, and a place that will provide educational and community outreach programs.
Friends and guests who have visited Lavender Crest have been amazed at the sense of peacefulness they experience in the lavender and when spending time with the Icelandic horses and Dolly. Visitors who have stopped at the farm to walk in the lavender gardens and talk to the animals always leave the farm with a sense of peacefulness. At this point, David and Sharon realized something they always knew – the passion they had for the farm, gardens and animals has a magic appeal! We hope you come and immerse yourself in that feeling of peacefulness......
For more information about our farm, click here.
