Our Story: From Schoolhouse Dream to Lavender Fields

Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender began with a leap of faith, a historic building, and a simple idea. Plant something beautiful and see what grows.

A New Chapter in LaGrange

Marion never imagined she would one day be a lavender farmer in Northeast Indiana.

Originally from Arizona, she studied in Boston, attended graduate school in St. Louis, and taught in San Antonio. Small-town life and agriculture were not part of the plan. In 2018, her husband Greg accepted a position as Chief Nurse Anesthetist at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, and their family moved to LaGrange with a simple mindset. Give it three years and reevaluate.

What they found was something deeper than a temporary stop. They fell in love with the community. They were drawn to its commitment to family, its parks and libraries, its schools, and the values woven into everyday life. LaGrange quickly felt like home.

Then COVID arrived. Like many families, they needed a project. That is when the historic Bloomfield Schoolhouse came on the market.

Restoring History, Reimagining Purpose

Marion had always said that if the schoolhouse ever became available, she wanted to see it. So they toured it. Then they made an offer.

At first, they only knew they wanted to give it back to the community in some meaningful way. Perhaps it would become an event venue or a gathering space. They began the long process of cleaning it out, restoring it, and working to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That designation was eventually secured, opening the door to historic tax credits and an approved restoration plan through the National Park Service.

Restoration takes time. The Wiggins family does not sit still easily.

So they planted lavender.

Lavender and a Lesson in Faith

Lavender felt practical. It thrives in full sun, prefers sandy soil, and once established requires little water. It was something the family could do together. It gave life to the property while the schoolhouse renovation moved forward.

They planted their first rows and waited.

By the following summer, Bloomfield was at its first farmers market with simple lavender bunches, dried wreaths, and a few small products.

They sold out every weekend.

Customers began asking for more. Lotion. Candles. Oil rollers. Culinary products. Marion listened carefully and started creating based on what people were requesting.

One product at a time, the Bloomfield line grew. Their lavender lip balm quickly developed a devoted following and is now produced in large batches that sell out regularly. From body care to culinary goods, from home products to a pet line and children’s collection, the brand expanded naturally, shaped by the community it serves.

From Farm to Storefront

What began as a side project soon became something larger.

Today, Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender has more than 4,400 lavender plants across three fields. There is the field at the schoolhouse, another at their home, and a larger off site field that is being developed for future you-pick experiences.

In September 2024, a downtown LaGrange storefront became available. The building needed cosmetic work, but it was structurally sound. Greg took on the renovation himself. By November, the doors were open.

The storefront is more than a shop. It is a space for gathering and creativity.

Visitors can create custom bath salts at the blending bar. The Lavender Laboratory allows guests to scent their own lotion, body butter, or sugar scrub using a curated selection of essential oils. Upstairs, an apartment is being developed to welcome visiting doctors, families, and guests to stay in the heart of downtown.

Often, the entire family is there together. The children help ring up customers and learned business fundamentals at the farmers market. They tracked sales, calculated profit, made change, and spoke confidently with adults. What started as a way to fund a backyard playhouse became a hands on education in entrepreneurship and stewardship.

Rooted in Community

Bloomfield’s growth has always centered on collaboration.

Today, Bloomfield products are carried in coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, spas, boutiques, and specialty stores throughout LaGrange County and beyond. Lavender drinks and desserts appear on local menus. Wholesale partnerships continue to grow. Each relationship strengthens the local fabric.

At its core, Bloomfield remains family driven. Marion and Greg work the fields together. A small but dedicated team supports brand management, wholesale outreach, farmers markets, and the storefront. Every decision is rooted in stewardship and long term care for both land and community.

Looking Ahead

The restoration of the historic schoolhouse continues. Plans include wreath making classes, product workshops, yoga sessions, seasonal gatherings, and future community events on the farm.

The large off site lavender field is being developed into a you pick destination, allowing visitors to walk the rows, harvest their own bundles, and experience the calm beauty of lavender firsthand.

What began as a temporary move and a pandemic project has become something lasting.

Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender is a story of restoration. Of buildings. Of land. Of family rhythms. Of community connection.

And this is only the beginning.