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LAVENDER growers – and people interested in growing /distilling or even tasting lavender - have been to invited to be part of the nation’s oldest lavender cooperative’s 30th anniversary celebrations in January.

But, if learning how to market your existing farm, set up a new one, distil or cook with lavender, or merely taste lavender in delicious food at a social dinner takes your fancy, you need to get in fast.

Organiser, Karen Cash, is expecting high demand for the grower and public events that will be held over two days on January 23-24 to mark the anniversary of Monaro Country Lavender Co-op.

“We are keen to get as many people as possible to come along to the various events that form our two-day celebration,” she said.

“But numbers will be limited and we need to know who is coming for catering purposes, so it is important that interested people get in touch, book and pay, well ahead.”

Mrs Cash is excited at the prospect of introducing new people to lavender growing, saying that lavender was a great way for farmers to diversify in the short to medium term, without huge initial outlay.

“The great thing about lavender is that you can have produce in the second year,” she said. “Lavender has so many uses, but there is also the idea of it taking you into the tourism and wellness and health industries, or even the destination wedding industry, because lavender fields are so beautiful.

Known for its distinct purpose flowers and strong perfume, lavender has 47 known species and is related to the mint family.

It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to India.

Its ornamental plants are used in gardens and landscaping and as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils.[3] Lavender is used in traditional medicine and as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Mrs Cash said lavender growing had become more popular during the past 30 years as the Snowy Monaro region was ideally suited to it.

“Lavender likes our climate and our altitude,” she said.

With the theme, `So you want to grow lavender’, the celebration in January will mark the coming together of lavender growers from throughout the region three decades ago to market and network all things lavender.

The celebrations, to be held at Railway Park Bombala, will involve two days of comprehensive lavender workshops which will be run by Mrs Cash and fellow co-op member Jan Illingworth.

“We have been running them for 16 years or so. Jan handles the identification and technical aspects of lavender growing, while I looked after marketing and business management.”

“The workshops will be of interest to growers and prospective growers and we think members of the general public might enjoy a farm visit, the lavender dinner and even the workshop on the distilling process.

“Lavender can be used for cooking, craft products, as mists, shampoos, hand washes, cosmetic, essential oils, spins off like lavender infused honey. Cooking with lavender goes well with chocolate, cakes and scones, but important to know which varieties to choose for what purpose and that’s where the workshop can be helpful. Some of the newer varieties are fantastic for cut bunches.

“It's quite an exciting time in the lavender industry. People are exploring new ways of utilising the products. I think that’s really excellent.”

The Tuesday event will feature everything growers need to know about growing, using and marketing lavender, followed by an afternoon farm visit and a celebratory anniversary d9inner. Wednesday January 24 will involve a practical workshop of oil distillation, harvesting, pruning and propagation.

For package details and applications, contact Karen via email cash@snowy.net.au or 0407404625 or Jan Illingworth via email johnillingsworth@bigpond.com or call 0478 609 584