GREENFIELD — Lavender Creek, a family-run lavender farm and growing wellness brand near Greenfield in South Monterey County, has transformed its first Lavender Wellness Experience at the farm into a growing series of community workshops that bring calm and comfort directly to seniors and the public.
The series began last month at the Carmel Public Library, where attendees made lavender sachets, explored aromatherapy samples and learned about lavender’s role in wellness and healthcare.
The initial feedback from the library was “excellent,” said Lavender Creek founder Ryan Hopkins, who added that the farm is expected to come back for future programs.
Following the first workshop on Sept. 11, Lavender Creek hosted another one at the Carmel Foundation on Sept. 17 and concluded the series at Sunrise Villa, a Merrill Gardens Assisted Living community in Santa Cruz, on Sept. 30.
All three lavender workshops were free to the community.
According to Hopkins, Sunrise Villa has already expressed interest in expanding the event into a recurring series, including a lavender sound bath with eye pillows to support residents’ relaxation and resilience.
“Our mission has always been to use lavender to comfort,” Hopkins said. “Through these workshops, we’re able to share that comfort in new places and make the experience more accessible to the community, particularly seniors, caregivers and community members who may not be able to visit our farm out on the east end of Carmel Valley Road. It’s our way of carrying the lavender fields into libraries, senior centers, assisted living homes and beyond.”
In addition to workshops, Lavender Creek provides products designed for daily comfort, including lavender refreshment towels, sachets, soaps and eye pillows. These items are already used by hospitals and healthcare programs from coast to coast.
“Connecting with the community was the highlight of our first public lavender season this summer,” Hopkins added. “We are grateful to these organizations for inviting us to connect and share more.”
Looking ahead, Lavender Creek hopes to expand these presentations into recurring wellness programs tailored for senior living and elder care communities.
With activities that combine education, aromatherapy and hands-on crafts, the programs are designed to enrich residents’ daily lives, ease feelings of isolation and support caregivers with accessible tools for calm.
Facilities can choose from single workshops or ongoing series, making lavender wellness a “steady part of community life,” Hopkins said.
Lavender Creek partners with hospitals, schools and community organizations to provide comfort through lavender-based wellness products and experiences. For more information, visit lavendercreekcompany.com.
