How Ex-Miners Turn Toxic Land into Lavender Farms | World Wide Waste

[@WolfPrideProductions]

"My name's Frank. I've had an assortment of jobs. I like this one best." I don't know why I found that so wholesome.

[@Victoria-sl7ky]

Me too and the older fella that was like , "well I dont really work here..." lmao hes just there for the fun and company. Sounds like a great bunch of guys to work with.

[@Ziyana_Zenn]

It's the lovely lavender. It makes people so chill and happy 😃

[@70KDS]

I really thought he said my name Hank, cause he sounded right off King of the Hill

[@Yen-qi8xr]

I don't even work here. I'm just kind of here.

[@jeneunoia1850]

Im gonna cry its soooo cute just friends hanging out growing lavander

[@jgrill110]

"When we reclaim, we don't just reclaim land. We reclaim land, people, communities, everything." - We need more people like this, such a beautiful idea and human being.

[@granturismoKL]

Beautiful

[@xbxstien]

👏👏

[@thelt4255]

im from boone and for somone to have such a view point is execdingly rare.

[@Rangetechus]

Wonderful!

[@hansolowe19]

I want to know what the employees are getting for wages.

[@Verlisify]

Wow. Everything about this operation does good. Reclaiming land, people, and communities, while creating useful products. We need more ventures like this

[@just_some1575]

except that its burning money on the taxpayer's expense...

[@VerdigrisTrees]

@@just_some1575 Howso?

[@espandan7255]

@@just_some1575 its not run by the government so it doesn't use taxpayers money

[@just_some1575]

@@espandan7255 yeah right, government subsidises a lot of cash burning companies because they "have a net positive impact on society". Just because a government doesn't own a company, doesn't mean they wont pay for it. I mean look at Boeing, they fucked it up and became a company that loses money, so the government steps in to "protects" local communities and employees...

[@just_some1575]

@@VerdigrisTrees Do you really think a bussiness is profitable in an extremely competitive market (agriculture) when they use dozen's of employees without any machinery? China isn't even profitable on the agricultural side compared to the US or Europe. And they have salaries 10x lower then here...

[@Emily-tp1jd]

"The Appalachian region, they've sacrificed a lot for energy that has really built this country. We as a nation owe it to this region to fix some of these inadequacies." As someone who lives in the Appalachia region, this is wonderfully stated.

[@tinacorbet4705]

I feel the same way about Nova Scotia, powered Canada for year, then git left behind

[@BaltimoresBerzerker]

I try to remind people when they go on about urban areas being neglected, racism, etc., that Appalachia has been used and neglected, not our cities. I'm from Baltimore, so I've seen how many times tax payers rebuilt neighborhoods just to have them trashed in a couple years, not decades. Meanwhile there are still Appalachians with no running water or electricity with virtually no government intervention or a request for help from the folks living there. They're majority of European ancestry too. Persevere Appalachia!

[@benvoliothefirst]

As a lifelong Democrat, I understand we have a debt to these communities, and wish the politicians addressed this more.

[@rebeccamitchell2001]

True. I am from Appalachia. The people are resilient and hard-working. They have suffered from lack of exposure to new ideas and technology for far too long.

[@texasabbott]

Restoring the Appalachia is going to take time. You can see the beauty emerge when these new industries reshape the land. I hope science will find more ways to farm waste into wealth. Working outdoors in jobs like these recharges your soul. There is so much "Zen" to be had in West Virginia!

[@patpierce4854]

Lavender truly is a resilient, tough plant. If you try growing in in rich soil, or heavy clay, it typically fails. It thrives in poor, dry conditions - so the choice of lavender was a brilliant idea to start the reclamation process. Brilliant to reclaim not just the land, but the people as well, with good jobs for the future.

[@chystal9161]

That was my exact mistake with lavender, too good of soil for it and sure enough many plants died off.

[@ijwd424]

I love growing lavender because of this! Absolutely beautiful plant, smells amazing AND low maintenance

[@Sjalabais]

I'm curious about the botanics here. Growing just one crop will usually lead to poorer soil, eventually. Can the toxin-cleaning effect lavender has prepare the soil for different plants later on? And how can they sell this as organic from reclaimed mining land - isn't some degree of pollution to be expected here?

[@Sophiana3]

@@Sjalabais based on one of the articles referenced at the end "Potential of Lavender (Lavandula vera L.) for Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals," lavenders grown in heavy metal soil still produce high quality essential oils

[@gameseeker6307]

@@Sophiana3 interesting Like a weird version of carbon sinks, but for toxins

[@MONi_LALA]

There's something wholesome seeing harden ex-miners in lavender field.

[@swardinc]

never thought of it like that

[@Maro_MaroBCH]

Same feeling.

[@SykotikShadow]

@@swardinc neither did that one guy in the beginning. Same here I'm wtf and as I watch...holy crap, very impressive. I know they would have never thought of them doing this either. Great story

[@WhuDhat]

Was thinking the same haha. it's cool they're still working too, without poisoning themselves to boot

[@rahulb.329]

And they love it!

[@eworldly]

A lot of people don't know that there are several variants of lavender. Some of which are totally edible and can be turned into jam and several other desserts.

[@acidset]

Awesome. Wouldn't want to eat lavender from a toxic wasteland though.

[@eworldly]

@@acidset but by planting the lavender in the first place you are cleaning up the soil.

[@acidset]

@@eworldly it depends on where the toxins are stored in the plants I suppose, I'm sure the flowers are fine Still I'd rather other applications in this case

[@eworldly]

@@acidset well the toxins aren't necessarily being filtered out by the plant. Rather the mycelium and bacterial colonies in the soil are doing just that. By reintroducing plants into the environment these organisms ( which are necessary for the plants survival) are doing most of the work cleaning up the soil. Bacteria and fungus feed on all kinds of chemicals that would normally be harmful to other organisms. And their byproducts return nutrients to the soil and in turn the plants this recreating a mini ecosystem that once fostered could give rise to other larger organisms like trees for instance.

[@acidset]

Great, I love mycelium I'm not saying they're using the plants to soak up the toxins directly, but what's the guarantee that the root, stems and flowers are exempt of these pollutants from both soil and air? I really wouldn't mind of traces except for more direct consumption like you suggest, I'm sure they've got it down anyway, I just wished the videos went even briefly in detail on how things _actually_ work, they skip the most important details

[@stran2323]

I like the fact that they recruit people in drug-recovery and that there's a lot of uses to lavender. Very wholesome project!

[@merchantarthurn]

My immediate thought was "does the contamination not bioaccumulate in the lavender?" but there's some really amazing research on the methods used to minimise that. So long as their products are tested batch-wise, this is really incredible. As much as the soil reclamation is amazing, supporting the local community is also fantastic too.

[@HellofromBaguio]

I wish I could be apart of something like this. I feel a real passion for growing and leaving the land better than when found

[@ScurvyMcGruff]

Me too. I got excited when I read the title, but then I remembered I'm just an ex-minor, not an ex-miner.

[@jamesbizs]

What’s stopping you?

[@seanelstevens-pahulu803]

search online for volunteer opportunities! lots of charities will give you room & board to help the environment and people!!

[@audreyh6628]

You can grow on any small patch of land near you, even in pots. Plant native shrubs, grasses and tress that native insects, bees and animals need to live. Any tiny piece of cultivation helps the planet - you can do it!

[@ehsansabaghian5617]

These are the stories that I want to see in NEWS and media. Awesome transformation.

[@pontuswendt2486]

Same here! Defenently!

[@Kholmi.28]

Seriously!

[@_____mari]

Exactlyy!!

[@Sandlin22]

I agree no more fear mongers

[@reneezancewoman]

Right? 😄

[@dudgemcfreely1346]

Such a good feel good story, but the idea of reclaiming land this way by eventually cycling crops and then replanting forests is ingenious!

[@GardenGuy1942]

I think it’s evil

[@insectbite1714]

@@GardenGuy1942 no

[@insectbite1714]

@DaKermitFrog no

[@GardenGuy1942]

@DaKermitFrog no

[@GardenGuy1942]

@@insectbite1714 yes

[@robertl4522]

You know the best part about a lavender farm? NO MOSQUITOES!

[@jeremymorales7129]

Really?

[@robertl4522]

@@jeremymorales7129 lavender is a natural mosquito repellent.

[@porkypine602]

@@robertl4522 I'll start growing them right now

[@robertl4522]

@@porkypine602 the more the better

[@Did6661]

What a good idea 👍🏼 I imagine growing lemons would also help keep them away

[@martin096]

I purchased a pack of lavender seeds from my local supermarket for 70p. I've planted over 40 and so far managed to keep 35 alive and they're growing well. When fully grown I'll be selling them to my local community and will be donating all the money to a bee charity. There is something quite relaxing watering them and watching them grow.

[@luluowq9827]

AW thats so cool!!

[@thethmooteresa]

Brilliant ♡♡♡ Saluting to you and everyone!!!

[@keithecabiao6830]

You are doing something wonderful.

[@DJCreepero]

They can be used as detox teas and oils from them are a natural pest controller

[@DanteYewToob]

I love seeing these macho coal miners out picking flowers, enjoying nature and appreciating the beautiful land they live in. It makes me happy to see they’ve recognized what coal mining did to their home, destroying it and are happy to have another way to support themselves without destroying their home! This is the future the world needs! Instead of fighting and arguing over job loss and claiming that destroying our world is the only way, we can find alternatives and make something good out of the horrible things we’ve done to our world!

[@rainewhispers739]

this episode seemed a lot more laid back. seems like everyone here is enjoying themselves and what they’re doing. plus, a great way to repurpose the land! lavender is such a great flower.

[@crispychaos6768]

Lavender is a soothing aroma. Who wouldn't be relaxed in a lavender field.

[@rainewhispers739]

@@crispychaos6768 good point. now i want to go to a lavender field to test it.

[@allenelswick6961]

The land was already reclaimed.

[@praiserdusty]

So they need to raise bees there. Lavender huney is not only delicious it's expensive to buy and cheap to harvest

[@alecneate76]

3:00

[@abbyminnich8561]

YEAH they should

[@donisiswanto8248]

@@alecneate76 looks like they already did

[@salenebrom6476]

But they also need to raise local bees that don’t make honey

[@praiserdusty]

@@salenebrom6476 why would they do that. There are way to many bees already nearly 20k species. What bees would even thrive there. There is literally nothing there for them to survive. At least with lavender, honey bees can survive and help the company profit heavily so they can expand to the thousands of abandoned sites across the country

[@Jadeserphant]

Amazing. I knew mushrooms and sunflowers could filter toxins out of contaminated soils, but I never knew lavender could. Thanks for the info!

[@estebancorral5151]

They are called bioaccumulators. Include nettles and comfrey.

[@Jadeserphant]

@@estebancorral5151 Interesting. Thanks. I'll have to look into that.

[@debbiehenri345]

@@Jadeserphant You might be interested in 'phytomining' - using plants and mushrooms to remove specific metals from soil. Anton Petrov (who focuses on astronomy/science topics) did a small video on this a couple of years ago. Box shrubs, for example, can extract silver from soil. Never in huge quantities of course, but it is one of a number of species that can extract 'specific' elements, some to such an extent phytomining is starting to attract attention from companies that mine rare and costly elements.

[@Jadeserphant]

@@debbiehenri345 Thanks! I am very interested. I've recently discovered Anton Petrov but I haven't had the time to work through all his back videos yet. Love him. I'll look for that one.

[@golik133]

Can it also filter chemical fertilizers toxins

[@rye_ay_ay]

I’m glad to see something put out that’s positive and shows something productive about West Virginia. Our state has a lot of problems, and we’re very down on our luck right now, but there are people trying to do better here.

[@constancemiller3753]

I loved seeing the guy with the still making lavender oil instead of meth or moonshine. Use the talents folks have for good.👏🌱

[@deekang6244]

So admirable

[@1029blue]

I'm surprised that it seems common for the land to just be left as is in the U.S.. In Germany, they usually fill open-pit mines back up and turn them into nature reserves, etc.

[@aggarwalkaoor9002]

Does that affect animals adversely as the water would likely be toxic for animals too

[@unitforce7417]

@@aggarwalkaoor9002 no the ground isnt full of chems because that is illegal to dump theyre recycled and noone gets hurt bc of that

[@lorirees21]

United states is pretty trashy.

[@dennis3667]

Wait till you see the brown coal mines. Ain't covering that up! You can even see those scars from space if you look slightly east of Cologne.

[@be.A.b]

A lot of people in the USA get very angry and defensive if you suggest anything that’s good for the environment. Depending on what part you live in, people will roll their eyes at you if you actually recycle.

[@MultiBigbird01]

This is such a wholesome idea of restoring destroyed lands.

[@aegisraven1284]

If they were actually destroyed this wouldn't be possible.dont beleive the fake news

[@Jolene8]

@@aegisraven1284 Oh my!

[@BookofAion]

@@aegisraven1284 Trump troll 🤡

[@aegisraven1284]

@@BookofAion you trump supporters sure do hate the truth lol blocked and muted

[@allenelswick6961]

None of this is destroyed and planting flowers on and already reclaimed land has nothing to do with reclaiming the land. You need to come and visit some of our reclaimed strip mine land and you will find out that it is all lies spread about destroyed mountain land. Mountain top removal may go down 100 feet and if the seams are close enough they will take more of the top of the mountain off. The whole mountain is not destroyed and no streams are destroyed. That story of destroying streams by filling them in is not true what is filled in is hollers and such that doesn't have water flow year round only wet spring run off water.

[@brianbrewster6532]

I think this is a wonderful way for people to pivot from a dying industry into one that brings backs jobs and the environment in one fell swoop. I wish there were more feel-good videos out there like this.

[@dierdriu]

This is nice, but it isn't paying these folks what they earned in the mines, and it isn't a scheme that is going to sustain a community. Its a nice story. It isn't even nearly enough, though. Not for the environment, and not for those displaced from mining jobs.

[@allenelswick6961]

Yeah the workers here are paid 40 dollars and hour rofl.

[@_lod]

@@allenelswick6961 that's pretty good I think

[@fireofdestruction7753]

Garentee they ain't making what they used to some coal miners make over 6 figures a year

[@heathermichelle9310]

@fireofdestruction77 Do people really need to make six figures though..? It's a legitimate question. I suppose it depends on where you live and the cost of living in that area..

[@amandachan696]

This is a beautiful organization... what a wonderful idea to transform this broken land into a earth positive and people positive environment! Not to mention.... those hard working ex-Coal miners actually have a job now that keeps them in a safer working situation. Really seems like a win win. We need more of that kind of action here in the states! Rooting for your expansion!

[@constancemiller3753]

An above ground job. In the sunshine. Frank is right.

[@R34M]

OMG! I had the opportunity to meet these amazing people this fall... I have a bottle of their lavender mist right next to me! The story moved me. The honey is amazing too!

[@samcornwell8645]

As a person from West Virginia who has witnessed first hand the awful damage a coal mine has on these beautiful hills this really warms my heart.

[@edvaira6891]

My God, this was one of the NICEST stories I’ve heard in SUCH a long time!

[@allenelswick6961]

Another run of the mill feel good story.

[@GingerBillyHag]

I was born and raised in the middle of Appalachia. My grand dad's were coal miners. You can see how addiction has hit hard in the mountains and it's so sad. But this video is awesome! Brings me hope in many ways.

[@emilycreager2269]

What I want to know is if, after a few years of farming the lavender, if the soil goes back to normal enough to move on and let the ecosystem and biodiversity take over? Because they said, basically, that the lavender detoxes the soil, hopefully so other species of plants can eventually grow there.

[@star_etraWrites]

It will actually depend on the minerals/toxins found in the soils. There are different plants that pull out different minerals/toxins. I personally would assume they maybe did the work and have the soil tested to see. If they did, maybe shifting to a different toxin sucking plant would help detoxify the soil and continue the use of the land for much longer.

[@michaelg8642]

at a certain point, farming a monocrop of lavender or any other crop will deplete the soil of certain elements, or at least hit a wall as far as how much benefit it is creating.. unless they are using diverse cover crops and crop rotation, it will be extremely difficult for them to fully achieve the microbiological diversity needed to become what we would think of as “healthy” soil..

[@thebrewtank7665]

@@michaelg8642 Well, the leftover biomass is then used for compost after steam distilling for oils. Maybe that's what they do? But yeah. I'de definitely throw in something like turnips or nitrogen producing plants that are native to that area.

[@elenalizabeth]

They could do crop rotation with other plants that have uses but that also can grow in bad soil - like sunflowers and dandelions. Sunflowers produce seeds that can be sold for bird feed, and dandelion roots can be roasted to be used as a coffee substitute (and the leaves and flowers are edible too). Both plants will grow in terrible soil. They could also grow things like cactus and succulents to be sold as indoors plants.

[@amonbeck]

@@elenalizabeth the problem with growing cactus in the Appalachia is that we get too much rainfall. The succulents (as many will tell you) drown, especially in winter. The chunk between West Virginia and North Georgia also gets frosts as late as March. You also need to consider the need for native crops. Lavender and rosemary are native to the Appalachia. Wild sunflowers too. The west coast could look into doing desert oasis though. The cactus and succulents would do well in the Rockies with the higher altitudes and drier soil. Plus, their rainfall is much more scattered.

[@katrabbit]

My aunt has had a lavender farm and business for over 20 years- this was amazing to see. I'd love to see more lavender farms around the country 💜

[@englishrose4388]

We need more of this. And I love that the miners are now able to do work that’s not life threatening.

[@falcofranz5005]

The money needed for reclamation of the land should be put into a fund before any mining even starts.

[@salenebrom6476]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 and a portion of each years sale should be added

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

What do you have a time machine?

[@falcofranz5005]

@@PerspectiveEngineer It’s s too late for this particular mine, but new mines will certainly be opened in the future. So what’s your point?

[@allenelswick6961]

The money is put in before mining takes place it is called a bond and if the coal company reclaims the land they get that bond money back after five years and if they don't reclaim the bond money is kept to be used to reclaim the mined land.

[@allenelswick6961]

@@falcofranz5005 Don't believe this flower reclaiming video if you looked all around in this video you can see this land has already been reclaimed several years ago. The good road that man had to drive in there was built by a coal company.

[@williamsvarre9772]

I swear to god lavender apparently fixes everything

[@rheoster]

Lavenders and sunflowers are going to save us.

[@pin65371]

@@rheoster hemp also seems to be able to grow pretty much everywhere and can clean up the soil while pulling carbon out of the air.

[@vice.nor.virtue]

@@pin65371 **rubs lavender on broken iphone** Omg it's turning on! it's turning on! - wait the apple logo is light purple and doesn't look like an apple anymore. **LAVENDER logo appears••

[@pin65371]

@@vice.nor.virtue not sure the point you are trying to make here

[@vice.nor.virtue]

@@pin65371 It was a joke I was making! I think I needed 3D space to make that actually funny. Anyway- the original comment is “lavender fixes everything” And I was joking it could fix a broken iPhone, and as said phone is miraculously turning on, the apple logo is replaced with a lavender shaped logo… cos it’s been fixed by lavender. Get it?

[@fahadkelantan]

Two words: Industrial Hemp...... Super low maintenance, grows everywhere, extremely economical, and carbon-absorbing

[@stormelemental13]

Hemp for industrial use wants flat rich soil suitable for machine harvesting. It grows best in the river lowlands of states like Kentucky.

[@haihai9022]

Add reliable mosquito and bug repellent to the list

[@fahadkelantan]

@@stormelemental13 All plants want rich flat soil. I am talking about which plant may be the best option to solve this massive issue. I think hemp may be the best solution. Bamboo may be another option. Harvesting doesn't have to be perfect for certain applications. Like paper. Perfect harvesting is an issue with fruits for retail use. You want em pretty. But for stuff like paper or clothes, all types of harvesting is fine. There are new machines that allow for harvesting at slopes and irregular terrain. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

That is 12 words

[@topperhatschire]

Very unlikely that West Virginia would allow that

[@speedzero7478]

This part of United States, I went through it twice on a travel trip of the east coast, it's some of the most beautiful forest I ever seen in my life. It's worth protecting and saving

[@redromcraker.6195]

I love seeing people in my home state show care and concern for our environment. We have such beautiful landscape and we absolutely need to care for it before it’s too late.

[@vice.nor.virtue]

Seeing coal miners become lavender gardeners has made my day! They are so cute!!

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

Coal is huge in Queensland, Australia- & lavender is grown in Australia, so it might be interesting to see how it could work here...

[@pickle4332]

business opportunity right there

[@georgechertkov4140]

Too dry, I guess

[@markfryer9880]

@@georgechertkov4140 It does rain in Queensland. Lavender likes rain but it doesn't like damp feet.

[@jydraw21]

Post mining land use aim in Queensland is cattle and stock. Same as the land was before the mines started.

[@raclark2730]

Mines also do a lot of native plant revegetation, many techniques in this field were pioneered by mining companies.

[@BrandedChronicles]

Smelling all of that lavender would be so relaxing 😌

[@fjp9]

or give some people a headache, migraines, allergic reactions, etc. i like lavender, but i have some friends where it can trigger those reactions. not so relaxing for them.

[@josegutierrez831]

@@fjp9 thats true. So people with those reactions shouldn't work there obviously.

[@daintypoly1845]

@@fjp9 theres always someone who has to bring up the negative side of things

[@daintypoly1845]

@freedom why would literally anyone in the comment thread be crying? go troll somewhere else

[@andiglogauer]

I don't know how this video ended up on my recommendation list but I'm glad it did - it is so inspiring what is being done and it would be amazing to see this kind of reclamation being done across the world - renewing the environment and people's lives and well being

[@zeusathena26]

We need a place like this in every state! Lavender is in so many things, & is so loved by many people. It's often the only smell many can endure. Especially if you have migraines, or were allergic to regular perfumes. It's so mild it doesn't need to be diluted with a different oil before use on the skin.its definitely a good investment. From wreaths, bouquets, soap, various foods, candles, perfumes, essential oils.etc.

[@anupamakumar675]

I love this format - you guys squeezing in so much info within ~10ish minutes and yet its not clickbait.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

I'm so glad there's a future for these folks that isn't depression and desolation! This video made my week, and I've got court tomorrow.

[@knightofendor8384]

I’ve seen the wastelands that are created as a result of mountaintop removal, so it’s nice to see people trying to reclaim it properly.

[@purplecleo]

There is a book called Mycelium Running about using mushrooms for environmental repair. It's a discipline that goes extremely well with commercial crop going (like this lavender) and for tree growing as well, because many plants depend on or thrive in conjunction with mushroom mycelium. Mushrooms can help remove heavy metals and other toxins from soil in the same way the lavender does. It's something that can help farmers improve their yields too.

[@KCNwokoye]

Mother nature is so generous. She just keeps on giving ❤️ This is such a healing space to grow and heal people. This is an example of a soulful business.

[@BBarNavi]

Hillbillies and flowers make for a wholesome combination.

[@poopypollopy2650]

Lavender honey sounds really good

[@ericbarthelemy190]

I gat in la Provence. It's amazing.

[@ericbarthelemy190]

Digne, Fr is the right place for lavande. 1000 ans d'histoire.

[@ericbarthelemy190]

In Draguignan, Fr EU you have a recoltant specialized in Lavender honey. Is name is Jean-Philippe Mandard.

[@militarymarchesclassicalmu7521]

It tastes better😋

[@SharpPear]

That whole area for miles must smell heavenly. Awesome idea on the lavender farm! Love this. Blessings to all who are trying to heal mother Earth!

[@andij605]

lavender farms and tea fields smell amazing. i have yet to visit a coffee or cocoa plant, but yeah

[@asherscott3151]

That is so nice that they help people recovering from addiction. Getting a stable job can be the difference between success and relapse

[@iggysixx]

I think this is a great idea, and a great start to clearing up the mess that coal mining inevitably leaves behind. It's also very easy to reproduce around the world. Lavender in itself is cheap as hell - it grows in the wild very easily too. As a bonus, (next to this project helping people and the community, of course), Bees love lavender. I'm sure that having these big patches of flowering plants will have some positive impact on bee populations as well

[@jskratnyarlathotep8411]

what if the soil lavender grows on contains heavy metals, as they said multiple times in the video - would that metals get into the honey and to what extent?

[@iggysixx]

@@jskratnyarlathotep8411 Good question. I tried to find an answer - found a research paper that describes that the heavy metals accumulate in the above ground parts of the plant (stem, leaves, flowering stalks). I couldn't find an answer on the nectar of lavender (nectar is the stuff that bees drink). Logically, that would be hard to study - you would have to know which hive the bees come from, (and perhaps how much of their nectar is gathered from 'polluted' plants), then gather honey from that hive and analyse it. I DID find another research study... That investigated the behavior of 'pollinators' (such as bees) on heavy metal rich flowering plants. (They purposely added various heavy metals to the plants). The research suggests that the pollinators (bees and such) DO take nectar from those, but they drink a lot less of it than they normally would. But yeah.. Not sure IF the heavy metals even transfer to the nectar. And if so, does that make it into the honey? It would make a good question for a scientific research study. I'm curious now (:

[@workingguy-OU812]

Just drove through W VA twice in the last week or so. Love that state and its people. Only hope the best for them. I sincerely hope they are able to recover and improve upon their mined lands over the next generation or so - too beautiful of a state to not make it the green get-away location for New Yorkers and New Englanders.

[@timclark4931]

We need more stories like this in the news.

[@josueravena3464]

We need more stories like this. Despite the sadness and despair we face during the Covid crisis, acts like this one, gives hope to the people. Just like in Honkai Impact, Humanity can destroy our world but we can defend all things that are beautiful in the world.

[@mermangurung4297]

Nothing can be better than this project. You all are heros. My regard and wishes for all of you involved in this wonderful project. Thank you for making a World a better place. Love from Bhutan 🇧🇹

[@vineshakaleyvani4834]

This is a really heartwarming video... Also it made me realise that all these years I had a wrong image for lavender!!

[@Decentralized_Maze]

As someone from this industry sector, I really appreciate THIS solution, video and funding for these cleanups. 👍💯

[@shinyravengamergirl]

Respect to this guys for making the ruined land so beautiful again!

[@marcob1729]

I can’t imagine thinking that any economic benefit from this type of mining activity was “worth it”. Generations will feel the pain from these scars on the earth

[@stephanieyee9784]

This is a fantastic incentive and it is only right to try to restore the damaged land. This lavender farm is a lovely idea and it's not only bringing jobs back to the area but restoring the self-esteem and pride in people who sorely need it.

[@siaround]

this is such a heartwarming story in all aspects. yes, more hurdles, messes and challenges have yet to be tackled but this is such a big beautiful start!

[@aaronvallejo8220]

Awesome! I don't want to reduce my ecological footprint; I want to increase it and leave behind wetlands, renewables, clean factories and regeneration.

[@jayseven9966]

Affording a couple acres and trying to preserve it is hard enough. Glad to see it done on a larger scale.

[@marwinsteiner5817]

Such a wholesome and in-demand product/service. Led by such a wonderful, bubbly personality that cares for her workers and the people she employs. So wonderful! All the power to ya.

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

The Appalachian Botanical Company is very wholesome, good on them for doing what they do. We should support them by buying their products.

[@claudiaperea]

I love this! Not only regenerating rock to soil, but also providing so many jobs because they’re not using a bunch of machines.

[@traceylafontaine8893]

Only thing missing is a boutique store with lavender products and lavender infused foods, nature visit, therapeutic massage areas for visitors. A place for yogis. Picnicking areas with possible purchase of ready made fresh foods

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

You do understand your idea would ruin everything bring in the worst kind of people. Gentrify and take away what these people are working hard to do. If you want something to buy go somewhere else.

[@traceylafontaine8893]

@@PerspectiveEngineer will do just that, Going to Blue Lavender, Fitch Bay, Quebec, Canada and this place has no judgments about visiting

[@toastedt140]

@@traceylafontaine8893 ugh, worst kind of people

[@traceylafontaine8893]

@@toastedt140 okay ... 🤷‍♀️

[@namedrop721]

Yeah I’m sure it’s gonna bring all the tourists in from wherever the hell-the outlay and insurance would exceed their budget and the primary purpose of this reclamation work. Gentrificación dollars could help but not by crashing the whole operation as it starts. As far as I’m concerned the only ‘yogis’ live in India, being spiritual.

[@amandateoh1164]

So proud of that community.. That is honestly admirable and inspiring how they bounce back (spiritually and physically) from a barren land. Much respect to the lavendar team! 😊

[@nihtgengalastnamegoeshere7526]

Nice, phytoremediation is always great to see! I did my dissertation on a phytoremediation project on an ex-coal mining site in Wales. On that site, trees were planted directly with no intermediate plants other than the grass that had naturally colonised it. Some patches did better than others, but generally it's been slow going with a lot of saplings dying. I think something like this project, planting species such as lavender that thrive in the poor soil and would improve it for future planting, would definitely have been a better way to go. The fact that the lavender farm provides jobs is a nice added bonus- just like Appalachia, the coal industry in Wales has declined, and many ex-mining towns and villages now have high unemployment and myriad social issues. As they say in the video, reclaiming land is good, but reclaiming people and communities too is great.

[@estebancorral5151]

There is also mycoremedition that can be done simultaneously. Fungi such as mushrooms are up to 24 times more efficient in bioaccumation. This should be done with more species in place to speed up the process.

[@lareneandpipsqueeksully]

Talk about clearing impurities out of the land replacing it with health! BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU ❣️

[@gimmeamarg]

Wow this is beautiful. The company is truly touches all the important facets! I hope they do well!

[@barrodexteriit.9301]

What a wholesome way of preserving the environment.

[@Firion13]

You should do a piece on lithium mining and how much more toxic it is and how much it pollutes. If people knew, it would change their tune on electric vehicles real quick.

[@thiccityd9773]

There aren’t many alternatives, and it seriously can’t be worse than oil.

[@user-eh2hj8bx6O]

people know. it's just lose lose

[@ashleyalmon4206]

Love this! Hope more people can get involved and bring things like this to light! Also, Sunflowers/ sunflower gardens would be great for this too.

[@naimairfan5738]

They are all doing amazing work and you can tell they are happy and proud of what they do, which they should be. I pray their future generations will continue doing it or other things to help our planet and even expand their good work.

[@anneleonghaseyo]

Such a great reclamation effort. I just wish all mining companies are like this. Here, they mine, they leave, and let the community suffer flash floods. :(

[@Rangetechus]

These guys and gals are awesome and it’s a breath of fresh air to see their efforts!

[@RWM07001]

Great story. Happy to see West Virginia in the news in a positive light.

[@anandabanifikri7412]

I hope there is such a movement like that here in Indonesia. Thanks for giving us a great and nice example

[@ginscorpio621]

Bless these people for helping the environment and reclaiming ruined lands, I hope to be able to do something like that one day.

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

This is brilliant and lovely and should be a model for other areas of the country! So glad to see these folks able to find work doing something that will leave a healthy legacy for their kids!

[@sebastianrawson2147]

Great initiative, great group, and great attitude by all!

[@erikad0511]

What a great idea for a company! I really wish them the best.

[@lynnealuebben1967]

I just loved watchimg the miners working the lamd. Their hearts and spirits seemed alive.🌸🌹🏵💮💞

[@henriswonders.4905]

Yes everything about this program is awesome from a negative input to a beautiful output xx well done xxxxx

[@Ali-in-Wonderland.]

Im absolutely going to give my business to APCO for the products they offer. Between the environment and socioeconomic value... how can you not want to support this???

[@papacowboy]

Keeeeewl! Lavender grows wild inpoor, disturbed soil in the hill country of Texas

[@greggreg2263]

Such a beautiful 😍 story reclaiming toxic land healing mother earth and healing people along with it thank you 🙏 to everybody involved in this project💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@allenelswick6961]

None of it is toxic if it was that land would have been toxic before mining.

[@abbycadabbie]

I didn’t know they had this little documentary made. I’m not employed through ABCo, but I work for a job coaching company, and they let me and my clients come up there to help out all the time! It’s an awesome business, and it’s been amazing seeing how they have grown over the past couple of years. No camera can capture the true beauty of the farm though. You’d have to see it for yourself!

[@victoriamilonas1942]

Lavender, rosemary, and wine grapes all bring tons of pleasure and love poor soils. There's a message in there somewhere. Great program.

[@sharontrotter8198]

It should be mandatory law that all mined out mines should be restored to some type of usable land.

[@bads]

3:17

[@jamesbizs]

Did you not watch the video????

[@screamingseal4805]

It is ?

[@user-tj7sh8wx1x]

What an uplifting video! I hope more good reclamation efforts like this are funded!

[@DB-ub3wx]

It breaks my heart that we can do this to our land but then to just abandoned it like this is shocking!

[@collinlambert3446]

The best part is the yield is roughly $120k per acre. Making it a even better crop to grow.

[@karlad4082]

I love lavender flowers, oil, scent, teas, pretty much anything with lavender. Glad to know this is helping these ex-miners 😊🙏

[@shankyxyz]

Amazing seeing these sons of soil, salt of the earth do God's work in reclaiming the wasted land. Love their accents, so real.

[@leonardojacobo8411]

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

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Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in

[@gabrielalex6021]

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[@nancyblum12]

Wonderful story. I love lavender. Truly a gift from the earth.

[@pixie3393]

That's a beautiful idea.i was thinking of purchasing a home due to affordability in an old mining area and was worried about lack of jobs. But this is a great idea !

[@Aeronaut1975]

Bees absolutely love lavender, they swarm the bushes. It's not unusual to see 50 or more bees at any one time on a large lavender bush.

[@mindyourownbusinessplease1120]

Absolutely beautiful, the land, the people, the lavender...