WNC SPECIALTYCROP CLASS

Local lavender growers can increase sales and boost farm profits by developing the plant into value-added products with more consumer appeal.

The Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers a Value-added Lavender Workshop on Aug. 19, 9 a.m-4:30 p.m., at the Carson City campus. It will include a lavender farm tour. Cost is $45. Lunch is included. Seating is limited, and registration is required.

For information or registration on the workshops, call Ann Louhela at 775-423-7565 Ext. 2260 or email ann.louhela@wnc.edu.

The workshop will begin at Campie’s Lavender Patch in Stagecoach where owner Mike van Camp will demonstrate the distillation process for lavender essential oil and hydrosol. Following the farm tour, a classroom lecture at the WNC Carson City campus will focus on the benefits of developing value-added products and identifying the best varieties to grow.

Featured speakers include farmers van Camp and Elizabeth Inman of Purple Adobe Lavender Farm in New Mexico. Inman has grown lavender commercially for almost a decade. Her three-acre farm offers farm tours, educational programs and a retail gift shop. Inman has created a successful line of bath and body products that are sold by regional retailers, online, at farmers markets, and at the farm.

Mike van Camp and his wife Diane have grown lavender commercially for more than nine years.

Their farm produces more than 30 varieties, focusing on propagation and development of those favorable to Nevada’s climate. They also sell several value-added products.

The WNC Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative program that teaches alternative farming methods for local growers. Funding for this project was provided by the Nevada Department of Agriculture and USDA/AMS through the Specialty Crop Block Grant.