“It’s more than just a farm—it’s a space intentionally created for connection,” shares Stephanie Olver, who co-owns
Four Suns Farm with her husband, Tom. “Whether it’s with nature, family, or the community, everything we do is rooted in the idea of slowing down, being present, and making meaningful memories.”
Named in honor of their four sons (Maximus, Finn, Liam, and Ezra), Tom and Stephanie combined their shared passions for family, education, and community to create
Four Suns Farm in 2023.
On June 9, they will begin inviting the community to visit their farm, and will remain open throughout the summer from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering a lavender retail shop, sandbox area for kids, leisurely strolls around the lavender farm, yoga classes, lavender and flower bouquets, plus educational workshops and experiences.
Read on to learn how the Olvers turned their passion for family, education, and community into Four Suns Farm—a new space in Mt. Pleasant where it all comes together.
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Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: Can you please share your personal and professional backgrounds?
The Olvers: Stephanie grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Michigan, where she developed a deep appreciation for nature and the value of hard work. She moved to California for college and, after graduating, began her career in environmental advocacy with Friends of the Earth in San Francisco. Inspired to make a more direct impact, she later returned to school to pursue a degree in education. Stephanie went on to teach in San Diego before moving back to Michigan with her two-year-old son, Maximus, to begin her master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
After returning home, Stephanie began teaching in Mount Pleasant Public Schools. During that time, Tom Olver was serving as the President of United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties. A fortunate blind date brought them together, and they soon married and welcomed three more children; Finn, Liam & Ezra. A dedicated community advocate, Tom has always looked for ways to make a meaningful difference. He now serves as the Director of Corporate Partnerships & Development at Chapter One, a global nonprofit focused on advancing literacy.
In 2023, Tom and Stephanie combined their shared passions for family, education, and community to create Four Suns Farm, lovingly named in honor of their four sons.
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Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: When did Mt. Pleasant become "home" for you—and why did you choose it for your family and your business?
The Olvers: Stephanie grew up near Lake Isabella and graduated from Chippewa Hills High School. Tom grew up in Bay City and went to Central Michigan University for his undergraduate. When we decided to make Michigan our home, Mt. Pleasant was an obvious choice. We love the small town feel and the proximity to our family. We could not do this without our extended family. They are strong supporters of our family unit and our farm operations.
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: What inspired you to create your space at Four Suns Farm?
The Olvers: Four Suns Farm was inspired by our love for family, the outdoors, and the peaceful beauty of lavender. We wanted to create a space where our four sons could grow up connected to nature and where others could come to slow down, celebrate, and make meaningful memories. What began as a personal dream quickly grew into a way to share that joy with our community.
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Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: Tell us more about what Four Suns Farm brings to the Mt. Pleasant community?
The Olvers: Four Suns Farm offers the community a peaceful, welcoming space to gather, celebrate, and connect with nature with over 1,000 lavender plants. Through seasonal events, workshops and yoga under our new pavilion, and family-friendly experiences, we want to provide a place where people can slow down, create lasting memories, and enjoy the simple beauty of the outdoors. Our lavender fields and evergreens offer not just a scenic backdrop, but a sense of calm, connection, and joy for all who visit.
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: Your official grand opening is June 9. How will you be celebrating?
The Olvers: We’re excited to welcome visitors to Four Suns Farm starting Monday, June 9th! We’ll be open throughout the summer from 9 AM to 1 PM, inviting the community to slow down, explore the farm, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of our space. On Thursdays, we’ll be participating in the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market at Island Park, so the farm will be closed. Check our
website for updates.
Visitors can explore our lavender shop, featuring our full line of home, bath, and body products—all made with simple, non-toxic ingredients and beautifully scented with our farm-grown lavender. From rich body butters and refreshing room sprays to hand-dyed lavender neck pillows, there's something for everyone.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and a blanket, take a leisurely stroll around the farm, capture sweet moments with the family, or relax while the kids play in our sandbox area.
We’re currently on bloom watch, so while fresh and dried lavender bouquets and U-pick won’t be available just yet, we expect the lavender to be ready in the coming weeks. And later this summer—in July and August—we’ll also offer cut flowers for picking.
We’re also kicking off our inaugural event on the evening of Tuesday, June 10th, with a special talk by Sally Rudy on
Biodiverse Backyards—a perfect way to celebrate community, nature, and the start of our season.
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Courtesy Sally Rudy / Four Suns Farms
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: What key activities, events, and lavender offerings will you be featuring this summer at the farm?
The Olvers: We will have two
Full Moon Yin Yoga classes on June 11th and July 10th at 7 p.m. We will also offer a 9 a.m. Vinyasa Yoga class every Saturday throughout the summer. We have mats, bolsters, and blocks for everyone. Pre-registration is required and classes are filling up!
We also have local photographers holding lavender mini-sessions on our farm. Contact us for more information.
We will be at the Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market every Thursday in Island Park. Come see us!
Our
workshops are as follows:
- Biodiverse Backyards: Creating a Thriving Native Ecosystem Close to Home
- Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – 7:00 PM
- Lavender Kids Adventure: Taste, Create, and Explore!
- Wednesday, June 18 – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- The Art of Lavender Pairing: A Taste Exploration
- Saturday, June 21 – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Nature’s Impressions: Flower Heat Pressing with Lavender and Native Plants
- Saturday, June 28 – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Lavender’s Charm: A Wreath-Making Experience
- Saturday, July 12 – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Lavender & Bluebirds: How You and Pollinators Can Support Nesting Birds
- Sunday, July 13, 2025 – 1:00 PM
- Mandala in Bloom – Intuitive Painting with Lavender
- Saturday, July 19 – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Lavender Escape: A DIY Body Scrub & Bath Bombs
- Saturday, July 26 – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Color from the Garden: Natural Dyes with Lavender & Botanicals
- Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 11:00 AM
- Lavender Besoms: Crafting Fall Besoms Brooms with Dried Lavender & Florals
- Saturday, September 13, 2025 – 10:00 AM
Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: Can you tell us more about the other businesses/organizations in the community you'll be partnering with for your workshops?
The Olvers: We’re excited to be partnering with several talented local creatives and educators from our community. This season, we’re collaborating with Sally Rudy of Thistledown Herb Farm, Laura Allen, a local artist and owner of VanderSys Tree Farm, and Rebecca VanderSys, an intuitive painter and retired art teacher. Each brings a unique perspective and deep connection to nature, art, and sustainable living. Their workshops at the farm will offer hands-on, meaningful experiences that reflect the spirit of Four Suns Farm—creative, calming, and community-centered.
For more information about Four Suns Farm, visit them at foursunsfarmlavender.com, facebook.com, instagram.com/foursunsfarmlavender; or reach out via foursunsfarmlavender@gmail.com and 989-944-4825.