2026 Season Update – McKinley Lavender Farm
As we head into the 2026 season, we want to share an honest update about where things stand at McKinley Lavender Farm. The past 18 months has been one of the most challenging we’ve ever experienced, and much of it came down to something most people do not realize can completely disrupt a small farming business overnight: U.S. tariffs.
When the tariffs were imposed, our business was hit immediately and severely. Almost overnight, our sales dropped to $0. It is hard for people to believe when we say that, but it is the truth. Before the tariffs, roughly 90% of our business came from the United States. Since the tariffs began, we have shipped only two orders to the U.S. The reason is simple. The combined shipping and duty costs quadrupled, often costing two times more than the actual lavender product itself. At that point, it became impossible for customers to justify ordering, and the U.S. market disappeared almost instantly.
This season, our focus is shifting back to what we do best: growing and harvesting high-quality lavender. We will be putting more of our energy into distilling lavender oil and hydrosol, and we are excited to offer more of these products throughout the season, along with our bundles and dried lavender products.
We also want to acknowledge another ongoing challenge that continues to limit our ability to grow locally: zoning restrictions. At this time, we are still not permitted to open the farm to the public for tours or retail experiences.
We are still here, still farming, and still committed to producing the best lavender products we can. The 2026 season will look different, but we are moving forward with purpose. Thank you to everyone who continues to support local agriculture, especially during times when outside forces make it incredibly difficult for small farms to survive. Your support matters more than most people realize.
We remind you that the farm is not open to the public for photography or tours.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
