The Start of St. Maries Farm and Distillery
The St. Maries Lavender Farm and Distillery is where the Young Living farm journey began. In 1992, D. Gary Young brought lavender seeds from Provence, France, and planted them on the 200 acres of land that would become this beautiful farm. Today, the St. Maries, Idaho-based Young Living farm contributes to the production of our famous Lavender essential oil and other aromatic plants. Gary first purchased the 160 acres that became the St. Maries Lavender Farm and Distillery in 1992, even before he founded Young Living. After clearing the native trees from the land, he planted Lavandula angustifolia seeds he had brought to the United States from France. Gary and Mary lived on the St. Maries Lavender Farm as he worked to establish the fields and build the distillery.
Seed to Seal® quality commitment
As the first of Young Living’s farms, the St. Maries Lavender Farm and Distillery is the birthplace of the Seed to Seal quality commitment that all Young Living farms practice. The team at this lavender farm conducts multiple special analysis on the soil, water, and aromatic plants throughout the year to ensure that the plants will produce the best quality essential oils.
A pristine, untouched location where seeds thrive, where aromatic plants become premium essential oils, and where quality is tirelessly validated, this simple but scenic lavender farm in St. Maries, Idaho, is where Seed to Seal first came into focus.
A pristine, untouched location where seeds thrive, where aromatic plants become premium essential oils, and where quality is tirelessly validated, this simple but scenic lavender farm in St. Maries, Idaho, is where Seed to Seal first came into focus.
Oil highlight
A member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, melissa (Melissa officinalis) belongs to a genus that includes five species of perennial herbs native to Europe, central Asia, and Iran. Although Melissa officinalis originated primarily in Southern Europe, it is now naturalized around the world, from North America to New Zealand.
"How can we make the planting, the harvesting, the distillation more efficient? Is there a better way? It was Gary Young's nature to ask those questions and is the legacy that Young Living carries on today, as we continue to make new discoveries and advances that benefit all those in the essential oil world."
–Mary Young, Young Living Co-Founder and CEO
Did you know?
Both Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis, the main crops at the St. Maries farm, can thrive and produce high-quality essential oils for 10–12 years.
There are many species of wildlife that call the fields of St. Maries home, including elk, whitetail deer, moose, black bears, raccoons, porcupines, and Columbian ground squirrels.
Since the beginning, Young Living members have always been invited to participate in planting at the annual Melissa Harvest. This fulfills one of Gary’s dreams to give members the opportunity to work on a farm and fall in love with the land.
Our focus on conservation
This farm honors Gary’s love for nature by implementing waste recycling and water circulation. Processed plant material is composted and used, and floral water—or hydrosol—is recycled and serves as dust control on the farm’s interior roads.
As part of an ongoing reforestation effort, more than 20,000 oxygen-producing blue spruce seedlings have been planted at St. Maries, offsetting atmospheric carbon.
As part of an ongoing reforestation effort, more than 20,000 oxygen-producing blue spruce seedlings have been planted at St. Maries, offsetting atmospheric carbon.
Book your farm experience
Plan your next adventure at one of our many farm locations and experience the source of our authentic essential oils firsthand.
Young Living events
Exciting things are always happening at Young Living! Browse our Farm Events page to see all of the unique experiences we have to offer.