The Beginning of JW Farms

 

The Beginning of JW Farms

JW Farms began not with a business plan, but with a shared understanding that retirement did not mean stepping away from purpose.

Our family-owned farm was started by two couples who have been friends for more than forty years — Johnny and Gail Williams, and James and Angela Woods. As we approached retirement, none of us felt called to stop being active. We had spent our lives working, learning, and building, and we knew we wanted to continue doing something meaningful together.

The seed for JW Farms was planted quietly. Gail had already been tending a small homestead and growing lavender in her garden, drawn to the plant’s beauty, resilience, and calming presence. What began as curiosity soon became appreciation, and then genuine interest. Johnny began researching lavender more deeply and discovered its potential — not just as a plant to admire, but as something that could be grown with intention and care.

Around that same time, we had purchased land together. The timing felt right. Rather than rushing into something large, we chose to start small — to test the waters, learn as we went, and see what the land would allow us to grow. The idea of a lavender farm felt like a natural extension of who we were and how we wanted to move forward.

From the very beginning, stewardship shaped our approach. As believers in the perfection of God’s creation, we felt a responsibility to care for the land thoughtfully. Every decision was made with respect — for the soil, for the plants, and for the process itself. We committed ourselves to best practices, organic methods, and growing the highest quality lavender we could, understanding that good things take time.

Like the land, our journey has unfolded at its own pace. Life has occasionally slowed our original plans, but it has never changed our vision. Even after three years, the excitement and purpose that sparked JW Farms remain strong. We continue learning, adjusting, and growing — both as caretakers of the land and as friends walking this path together.

JW Farms is more than a place where lavender grows. It is the result of long-standing friendship, shared faith, and a desire to remain engaged with the work of our hands. This is only the beginning, and we’re grateful to share it with you.