About Us
New Mexico, as it turns out, has been a wonderful location
for cultivating lavender. The soil has been wonderful and rich,
formerly used to grow New Mexico's finest cotton, pepper, and
onions. Sunshine's average 350 days a year gives us lavender blooms
sometimes culminating in four harvests starting in late Spring.
The bountiful harvests are used to produce several hand-made products
such as lavender oil, wreaths, jellies, salts, cookies, sachets,
bouquets, etc.
Our fields are dedicated to San Ysidro, the patron saint of farmers.
He lived in Spain during the 14th century and worked on a large
farm. He was a very pious man and the other laborers 
complained
to the Patron that San Ysidro was not doing his share of work
because he was always praying. The Patron decided to see for himself
and went to the field where San Ysidro was supposed to be plowing.
As the Patron neared the field, he saw that San Ysidro was kneeling
in prayer but an Angel was plowing the field so San Ysidro could
continue his devotions.
New Mexican Lavender*
is owned and operated by Joan Keif and her husband, Al Polk. Joan
came from New England and Al from Tennessee. They met in San Diego,
California, where they ran Katy's Herbs & Things B&B.
In 2004, Joan and Al moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Joan began
the lavender farm and Al works with her while onshore; he is a
Mate on container ships sailing out of Long Beach, California.
Although Joan has been a gardener for years, when she moved to
New Mexico farming was new to her. With help from the local extension
agent and a retired farmer living nearby, she learned the new
craft and continues to expand her knowledge. Joan has been a member
of The Herb
Society of America for over 15 years and is a past board member.
She offers seasonal classes at Enchanted
Garden, a local Las Cruces nursery.
As the farm has expanded, Joan has learned that
much of farming is about weed control. Fortunately, Al has become
the best weed puller in the county and he is also the Master Distiller
of our lavender oil. Joan and Al own Great Dane dogs and train
them for Agility and Obedience. Although the Danes walk through
the lavender, they are not much help in harvesting or weed control.
*Formerly known as San Ysidro Lavender
