In 2017, a car accident nearly claimed Tammy Blackwell’s life while she was attending veterinary school. Walking away from the wreckage sparked a profound internal shift. "Suddenly, the world was brighter, tastes were sweeter, and everything seemed more vivid," Blackwell recalls. "I couldn't go back to the life I had before."
Blackwell chose to redirect her caretaking instincts toward nursing. Amid demanding studies, she found solace in nature, planting 300 lavender plants on her Black Forest property. Blackwell laughs as she admits that she chose the resilient perennial for a practical reason: "It thrives on neglect."
Eager to master the crop, she researched, ran backyard trials and joined the Lavender Association of Colorado. Through their classes, Blackwell learned high-altitude cultivation and the delicate art of extraction—how to capture pure botanical essences for skincare, culinary treats, aromatherapy and crafts.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to sell her Black Forest home, Blackwell paused school and headed to the mountains to heal and reflect. In Westcliffe, Colorado, she found sanctuary working at a local lavender farm while tending to 75 plants on her own property. This mountain hiatus blossomed into a business, Sweet Awakening Farm, as Blackwell started selling handcrafted creations like soaps and wreaths at local markets.
In 2025, Blackwell felt a strong pull to return to her beloved Black Forest. She sought a small acreage to resume her lavender farming roots on familiar soil, planting 300 new plants to kickstart her next chapter. That summer, Sweet Awakening Farm joined the lineup of vendors at Black Forest’s Backyard Market that runs from May to October.
Today, Sweet Awakening Farm includes three distinct product lines: Body & Aromatherapy (nourishing lotions and balms, soaps and shower steamers); The Artisanal Kitchen (inventive culinary treats like lavender sugar, syrups, pancake mix and lavender lemonade); and Handmade Crafts (beautifully woven pine needle baskets, fresh and dried lavender wreaths, sachets and scented eye pillows).
Once her fields are established, Blackwell plans to invite guests to harvest their own lavender. Ultimately, she hopes to open an on-site farm shop and collaborate with local businesses. Nearest and dearest to her heart, however, is her vision to provide a peaceful sanctuary where visitors can find healing and discover their own passions within nature.
For more details on the farm, visit sweetawakeningfarm.com
"Suddenly, the world was brighter, tastes were sweeter, and everything seemed more vivid," Blackwell says. "I couldn't go back to the life I had before."