For centuries lavender has not been able to be grown in the southeast of America until we have learned the true tricks to get it to grow here. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant and prefers very dry climates and soil perfected to its growth. 

Many have wanted to learn how to grow lavender, especially on a larger scale.  Maybe you have tried to grow it, but failed. Growing Lavender in Georgia is tricky, especially in this area of the south, but we have proven for 12 years it can be grown and have a successful business with lavender, whether as a Agritourism Farm, Farmer's Market Booth, Wholesale, or Retail Business. We've done it all here at Red Oak Lavender Farm. We are also experts in product diversity to increase sales.

Class: With the group size intentionally limited to only 12 students, you will receive lots of 1:1 time with the owners,David and Tina Duffey you will get hands on training for the day. 

 Maybe you want to start your own lavender farm or grow a lot of lavender in your garden. This is the class for you! This is an advanced course for those looking to grow large numbers of lavender plants and cultivate your own lavender farm. 2024 is our 11th year growing lavender on a large scale and we would love to share what we know with you!

Our full day academy class will be hands-on learning, planning, business requirements, discussion, and question/answer session.  What does it take to have a lavender farm business?  Plus you will walk into the fields to see the 19 different cultivars/varieties we grow here at the farm and exactly how to we plant our lavender plants. We will also check out the needed tools, supplies such as weed cloth type, and irrigation lines and tubing. You will fully experience a working lavender farm. Check out our list of topics we will cover below. 

Learn from all our trials and errors saving you money and time. We have traveled all over the world visiting different lavender farms to learn all we could about lavender - from Provence area of France, Ireland, Arizona, Sequim, Washington, and the Carolinas. We have also mentored a few other lavender growers here in Georgia when they got started or helped once they failed to help restart.

Class begins at 10:30am till 12:30 pm and then resumes 1:30 - 3:30. We will be serving lunch to  class or you may venture into town and eat. We will have a variety of sandwiches prepared by Publix, including a vegetarian choice, with a mix of chips, lavender lemonade, and a special lavender dessert. 

Course materials is included. 

This class sells out fast, so be sure not to wait. Each person will have a lavender plant to take home.

Cover in Class:

* Lavender: What is it

* History

 * Best Cultivars for Growing in Georgia/Southeast

* Lavender Needs and Georgia 

* Testing Soil

* Preparing Beds and layout/spacing

* Weed Control

* Irrigation 

* Planting and Amending 

* Insects and Diseases

* Harvesting, Drying, Uses for Marketing

* Pruning

* Intro to Pruning

*Business Plan and Goals

*Diversifying and Agritourism 

*Regulations and Marketing Avenues

Where to Sell for Best Profit

and much, much more…

Cost: 350. per person or 650. for a couple. Be sure to pick your choice and day correctly. This class is so much more affordable compared with most classes out there that run over $1,000. per person. 

*Advanced Registration is Required. No refunds or exchanges, due to class is limited and supplies must be prepared and bought before class.

This is a Rain or Shine event. If we have a storm we will notify students of a rain date.

Each section makes your knowledge complete. We recommend taking this class if you are wanting to grow a large amount of lavender plants or start a lavender farm in Georgia or in the Southeast. 

Be prepare to get dirty and use your hands. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, closed toed shoes, and bring a hat and gloves.

*If you are coming from out of town there are a lot of activities, shops, restaurants, hotels, and BnBs in our historic town of Dahlonega. I would recommend going to the Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce: for a list of places.