Lavender Could Be Next Big Cash Crop

A new development project called the Green Mining Model Business Program is looking at ways to diversify the West Virginia economy. The program has headquarters at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston and provides training in how to grow and care for lavender on an unused Kanawha County mine site. Some think lavender could be the state’s next big cash crop. Essential oils are expected to be $40 billion industry by 2024, and United States manufacturers currently import almost all of their lavender from other countries. Green Mining project organizers think there’s no reason West Virginia can’t supply part of that demand.