Adrienne Crombie

Oil Distillation in Your Kitchen

Date:

Saturday, July 2nd

Time: 2:30pm

$75

Oil Distillation Workshop

 

There is nothing so pure and distinctive to a flower or an herb as its scent. Scent is a complex mixture of volatile compounds, chemicals that vaporize into gas when released by the plant. More than a thousand years ago, Persian physician Ibn Sina discovered how to capture the intoxicating scent of roses into a bottle by the method of steam distillation. The product that is collected from steam distillation is what we term “essential oil”, the elusive essence of the plant that contains its scent. An additional product of the steam distillation process is hydrosol. Also known as “flower water”, hydrosols can contain contain some of the valuable elements of essential oils plus other, water soluble beneficial compounds.

 

We at Mad Lavender Farm are so excited to be able to offer this workshop in distilling essential oil and hydrosol with Dr. Wesley, PhD.  It is designed to make small quantities of essential oil and hydrosol at home with the simplest utensils. The workshop will be lavender centric but we will investigate other plant material as well, such as peppermint and sage. Lavender is one of the more generous plants regarding its oil yield from distillation – another reason it’s so satisfying to make on a smaller scale at home. We will be looking at the different varieties of lavender and stages of bloom in terms of the quality and quantity of oil that is produced. The workshop will take us into the field to harvest the product and into our lab to experience hands-on how lavender and other herbs are alchemized from volatile scent to bottled oil and hydrosol.

 

 Dr. Wesley

From as far back as they can remember, Wesley has always been fascinated by nature. Growing up in a family of scientists, Wesley was soon guided into formal education to explain the world around them.  After years of schooling and a PhD in biochemistry, they realized two things:

ONE- There is no way to learn everything, but that’s no reason to stop trying. TWO- Science and research are partners to and translators of ancient wisdom. We are not the first here, and we won’t be the last. Wesley is happiest learning, teaching, music-ing, or just being in awe of what IS.

Dates:

June 26th

 Time: 10am

Saturday, July 2nd

Sunday, July 3rd

Date: 1pm

Cost: $55
Maximum # of people: 6

WandWorkshop

Lavender wands can only be made with long-stemmed lavender that is fresh cut out of the field. There is a small window of time in the entire year when long-stemmed lavender is in bloom and ready for making wands and that is part of what makes them so special. The wonderful thing about lavender wands is, though they can only be made during the weeks that span the end of June, the sweet lavender scent of a wand lasts for years.

 

The fresh lavender buds are captured within the woven stems, preserving the scent of lavender for years. Just give them a gentle squeeze and inhale the fragrance.

We have a variety of pretty colored ribbons to choose from to fashion a wand that is uniquely yours. Using a double faced ribbon you can manipulate a stripe into your weaving.

 

The workshop is rain or shine. If it’s raining, we have a Pavillion to duck into for shelter while still enjoying the pleasure of the farm.

Adrienne Crombie is an artist, lavender farmer, artist and co-owner of Mad Lavender Farm. Adrienne designed the Mad Lavender logo, develops their product line and continues to paint murals on any available surface on the farm.

Date: Sunday, July 10th

Time: 1pm – 3pm

$45 pp

SecretLife of Lavender

 In this two hour workshop with Robyn, you’ll be invited to develop a personal ritual to connect with plants and our focus will, of course, be Lavender. We will be tapping into our creative side with drawing and journaling, inspired by the energy of the plant.

Robyn will also demonstrate how to make a Lavender herbal infusion.
You will take home a bunch of French lavender from our field and English lavender from our Drying Shed.

Lavender lemonade will be served for refreshment.

All materials and recipes provided.

Robyn Weixler has always been drawn to nature, feeling at home in the woods amongst the wild plants. Over years of cultivating a relationship with the medicinal herbs on her land she has developed a very pragmatic, hands on teaching philosophy. Robyn offers easy, practical ways to use plants in everyday life for better health and wellness and wants to teach others how easy it can be. Learning never ends and she is always excited to learn about a new plant. She is a homeschool mom and loves showing her son about the natural ways and connecting with the Earth and nature around them.