Lavender Fields farm honored for community partnership with school
Sussex Consortium recognized Lavender Fields as its Community Partner for February during the Feb. 26 Cape Henlopen School District Board of Education meeting.
Students and staff from Sussex Consortium have been volunteering at Lavender Fields for more than 15 years. When Cait Spieker Gee purchased the farm from its previous owners, she warmly welcomed the continuation of this long-standing partnership, allowing students to remain an active and valued presence at the farm.
Lavender Fields has become one of the Consortium’s most cherished vocational sites. Known for lavender’s stress- and anxiety-relieving qualities, the farm provides an environment that immediately promotes calm and well-being. From walking through the fields and caring for plants to interacting with friendly farm animals and engaging with customers, students benefit from an atmosphere that supports both personal growth and emotional regulation.
Over the years, students have engaged in a variety of meaningful tasks at the farm, including landscaping, watering plants, assisting in the lavender fields and working alongside staff in the retail store. Most recently, student Luna Pavon has been working in the store two days a week, where she operates the cash register, inventories products, labels handmade lavender soaps, and helps process lavender buds for use in sachets, soaps and other products.
“This partnership truly exemplifies inclusive education in action,” said Dr. Eileen Baker, supervisor of inclusive education. “Lavender Fields provides our students with authentic, hands-on vocational experiences in an environment that is both calming and empowering. The confidence, independence and sense of purpose our students gain here is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful to Cait Spieker Gee and the entire Lavender Fields team for their unwavering support and commitment to inclusion.”
The Sussex Consortium extends its sincere appreciation to Lavender Fields for fostering a welcoming space where students can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully. The partnership continues to be a powerful example of community collaboration, and the Consortium looks forward to many more years of shared success.
