A message from Mary Young, our Co-Founder

Mary Young


Hello, My Friends,

It seems like summer was just starting; now we are halfway through fall, and soon the snow will be falling here in Utah. How does it happen so fast? I’ve concluded that our lives are so busy that we just don’t take time to enjoy some fresh air and pull a few weeds in the garden. Busy? I think it’s overdrive in the fast lane. I call it growth with some challenges and with a lot of excitement.

If you have been to the new Experience Center in our Global Headquarters, then you have seen the miniature distiller that is a combination of glass and stainless steel. It was built by Brett Packer, director of Global Farms, at the Highland Flats farm.

Travis Thompson did a lot of the design work and sourced parts from around the world. Trygve Aos was the electrical engineer; and when you see the distiller, you’ll wonder how they were able to do it. They built it so the panels around the bottom could be removed so that everyone can see how it works mechanically. Seeing it for the first time, I was in absolute awe.

At the unveiling, Brett was thrilled to explain how the distiller works. For the first time, you can actually see the steam rise in the glass tube and then go into the condenser, where the steam is converted back into a liquid, carrying the oil with it into the glass cylinder, where the droplets flow down into the separator and the oil bubbles up to the top. It is an exact replica of Gary’s design, but in miniature. It is fascinating to watch and when the word gets out, we will have people coming to see this one-of-a-kind distiller in operation—and at the same time, they’ll be learning about Young Living. The distiller will be one of the first things you’ll want to see when you come to visit our Global Headquarters.

We also had the unveiling of the bronze statue of Gary on his horse, Sundance, that was sculpted by world-famous artist Jonathan Bronson. It is a beautiful tribute to Gary. The statue sits next to the 20’ by 20’ cabin that is an exact replica of the cabin Gary lived in during the first years of his life. But what is more amazing is to see the cabin next to our Global Headquarters. The comparison is stark, especially when you think about how Gary rose from the depths of poverty growing up in the mountains and how the dramatic events of his life took him down the path to bring the healing essence of the plant kingdom to the world, creating the beauty that Young Living is today.

Toward the end of August, we flew to St. Maries to have some fun on the farm with our Gold members. It was wonderful to be together again and to share so many stories and memories that originated at this first Young Living farm. After a day at the farm, many went rafting on the Spokane River, but others took advantage to drive 100 miles north toward the Canadian border to the Highland Flats farm, where Beauty School was taking place. As usual, Brett brought the farm event to an end with a western hoedown with music and dancing in the distillery. It was a great time of creating comradery, renewing friendships, and meeting new members of the Young Living family from many far corners of the earth.

At our Young Living Lavender Farm and Distillery in Mona, Utah, USA, there is great excitement over the completion of the new Visitors Center. The plans started about a year ago, and it has been amazing to watch the change. One thing we are very excited about is the increased capacity for beautiful weddings. The Visitors Center has eight bridal suites that can sleep the entire bridal party with family members, including children. Get your reservations in early because I know we are going to be booked up non-stop. The restaurant is back in business to make eating convenient at the farm, and the new Experience Center will provide you with shopping galore.

We not only have a new Visitors Center but also a new gazebo and a new snack shack, where we serve NingXia Red® slushies, and now you won’t have to wait in long lines because you can order from both sides. The location has changed so that parents and friends can enjoy snacking while watching the kids run through the new splash pad during those hot summer days.

In addition, we have a new paddleboat dock that is very efficient and loads on the west side of the pond so that those watching can sit underneath the shade trees. We also have all new restrooms underneath the gazebo that you enter across from the show barn.

It’s a whole new experience for visitors. Those of you who have been there before will be thrilled; you who come to visit for the first time will be thrilled as well. There are other new additions, and I could go on and on, so come and see for yourself.

We welcomed almost 2,000 new Silvers to our retreat in Mona, which was a spectacular event for all of them. What a great way to see our Young Living roots, where historic events took place in those beginning days, and to reconnect with the earth, the foundation of Young Living.

As many of you know, Gary loved horses, and one of his dreams was to have a draft horse show at the Mona farm. That dream came to fruition in 2016. In the world of Percheron and Friesian show horses, the word is out that the Young Living farm in Mona, Utah, is the best venue in the world. The view from the stands is spectacular as the mountains touch the sky with exquisite colors and majesty.

The area is big and spacious, easily accommodating the many Percheron hitches of the drivers coming from all over the United States and Canada. The facilities are first class and accommodate the big rigs that carry these magnificent animals. The problem now is that in order to allow more entries, we would have to build a third show horse barn.

During the day, Jacob leads the jousting tournament, which is a new experience for many if you’ve never seen real medieval jousting. It’s fun because all the jousters are young people, and two of them are women, which is even more fun. Half of the time, the women win the tournament. In the evening, we have a concert on the lawn and then we head over to the excitement of the rodeo. Those bull riders really put on a show, as do the clowns, who are hilarious.

I could go on and on, but you’ll just have to make it a family adventure to come to our farm and enjoy the events that are taking place. There’s a lot going on, but the reason for all of it is to learn how we produce essential oils and why they are so important to all of us.

We appreciate all of you, and each one of you is important. This last year and a half has been a challenge, but we are moving forward. We have overcome the many challenges of moving to the new shopping platform, and we are learning how to live life in healthier ways—enjoying the benefits of our oils and supplements, leading a great movement of love and kindness, and serving humanity in many diverse ways.

With love and appreciation from our family to yours,
Mary, Jacob, Kait, and Josef