Why We Chose Lavender
How Hambly Lavender Farm Grew From a Family Dream Into a Working Farm
When people visit the farm, they often ask the same question:
“Did you always plan to grow lavender?”
The short answer is no.
The longer answer is the story of how our family found its way back to farming — and why lavender turned out to be exactly right for our land, our values, and the life we wanted to build.
Getting Back to the Land
Hambly Lavender Farm is my husband, Milton, and me — Gina — along with our three kids, Mary, Wyatt, and Avery. Our family has deep roots in the Paso Robles area, with our children representing the sixth generation raised here.
Farming has always been part of our family story. Our ancestors were dairy and cattle farmers, and agriculture has been woven into our lives for generations. Like many families, we felt a pull to slow down and return to the kind of work our grandparents knew — honest, physical work tied to the land.
Our farm journey really began when our kids were young and involved in 4-H and FFA. What started with raising animals and small projects grew into something much bigger. We loved the lifestyle, the responsibility it taught our kids, and the way farm life brings a family together. Somewhere along the way — several years and many farm animals later — we knew we wanted a farm of our own.
Buying the Land and Dreaming Big
In 2017, we purchased 26 acres in San Miguel, just north of Paso Robles. For the first two years, we focused on cleaning up the property, learning the land, and envisioning what it could become.
Originally, we thought an olive orchard would be the right crop for us. Olives are iconic here, and we loved the idea. But timing matters in farming, and our goal was to plant in the fall of 2019 — right in the middle of a drought. As we dug deeper, we realized olive trees would require more water than we felt comfortable using, especially given our sustainability goals.
We wanted a crop that respected the land and the water we depend on.
So we did what we believe in doing: we asked for help.
The Consultation That Changed Everything
We scheduled a consultation with a local farmer who took a close look at our soil, climate, and location. After walking the property and reviewing the conditions, she suggested something we hadn’t seriously considered before:
Lavender.
That conversation changed everything.
Lavender is resilient, water-wise, and well suited to our climate. It thrives in conditions where other crops struggle. After that meeting, the research began. We learned about the benefits of lavender, both for personal use and for the home. We also discovered there was a growing market for high-quality, naturally grown lavender products.
At the same time, we noticed something else. Several local lavender growers had retired, and there was a gap in experiences for visitors to Paso Robles beyond wine tasting. We began to see an opportunity — not just to grow lavender, but to create something meaningful around it.
Planting the First Lavender
In the fall of 2019, we planted our first 200 lavender plants. We kept planting, learning, and adjusting. Today, our farm is home to over 4,500 plants across eight varieties, covering roughly three acres — nearly three football fields of lavender.
Our farm follows organic practices and is pesticide- and herbicide-free. Everything we grow is shaped by the belief that if something goes on your body or into your home, it should be thoughtfully made and free of unnecessary chemicals.
Lavender farming is not a seasonal hobby — it’s a 365-day operation. There are no days off when you’re growing plants and raising animals. But it’s work we love.
From Education to Experience: Creating the Lavender U-Pick
Both Milton and I come from education backgrounds. Milton has spent nearly 30 years teaching middle school history, and I worked in staff development for the County of San Luis Obispo. Education is part of who we are.
As we began hosting our first tours, we designed the Lavender U-Pick Experience with that in mind. We wanted visitors to understand how lavender is grown, harvested, and processed — and to have the rare opportunity to be in the fields.
After our first few tours, we saw it immediately: the spark in visitors’ eyes as they learned, relaxed, and wandered the rows. People slowed down. Shoulders dropped. Conversations softened. We knew we had something special.
When visitors walk the lavender fields, see how we grow and process the plants, and learn how products are crafted right here on the farm, they gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to bring lavender from the field to the farm store.
From Field to Bottle
Everything we make starts here.
Our lavender is hand-weeded, hand-harvested, and distilled on site using traditional methods. During bloom season, from mid-May through September, we harvest fresh bundles, distill essential oil and hydrosol, and dry lavender for later use.
It takes nearly one-third of a pound of lavender to produce a single 5 ml bottle of essential oil. That detail matters — because it reflects both the labor involved and the purity of the result.
In 2025, Milton — our head distiller — earned a Gold Medal at the International Lavender Oil & Culinary Competition for our Dutch Mill Lavender Essential Oil. It was our first time entering a competition, and it meant more to us than we expected.
Turning a Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Farm
For the first few years, we both worked full-time jobs while building the farm. I worked for the county, and Milton taught eighth-grade history. The first year, we didn’t have many plants and were still mastering the process of making our products.
By the second year, we had grown from 400 to 1,000 plants and began seriously thinking about agritourism. By the third year, we had 2,000 plants in the ground — and we were spending nearly all our free time running the farm and business.
Something had to give.
We made the decision for me to retire from my county position and run the farm full time. It was scary to give up a steady paycheck, but it was necessary. With Milton’s teaching schedule and summers off, we could make it work.
What happened next still makes us laugh: instead of slowing down, we doubled our plants from 2,000 to 4,000. We created more work — but we also created the farm we had envisioned from the start.
We could not be where we are today without taking that risk.
Products Made for Everyday Life
Our farm business revolves around our estate-grown lavender crop. On the farm, we craft a range of natural products designed to be used every day — essential oils, calming oil rollers, linen and room mists, hydrosols, goat milk soap, lavender salves, lip balms, culinary lavender, and curated gift sets.
Whenever possible, we source ingredients locally and invest back into the community our family has called home for generations. Our products are sold on the farm, at shows around California, online, and through wholesale partners.
One of the parts of this journey that fills my cup most is collaborating with other local makers and farmers. There is something special about working alongside people who care deeply about what they create. Together, we’re able to design products that are not only beautiful, but truly useful in everyday life — the kind of pieces people reach for again and again.
And that’s what makes us most proud: our returning customers. When someone comes back season after season, order after order, it tells us we’re doing something right — and it reminds us why we keep growing, crafting, and sharing what we love.
Opening the Farm to the Public
As we attended artisan markets and festivals, people kept asking the same question:
“Can we visit your farm?”
In 2023, we decided to take a chance and open the farm more fully to the public. Hambly Lavender Farm is open seasonally from May through early September (depending on lavender bloom), and visiting the farm is meant to be tranquil.
Step out of your vehicle, take a deep breath, and inhale the soft, sweet lavender scent. Take in the 360-degree views of rolling golden hills, vineyards, orchards, and horse farms. Walk through the lavender rows down to the barn and animal pens, where you can meet our friendly farm animals. Bring a snack or picnic and spend some time on the land.
Lavender has long been known for its calming properties — helping to relax the mind and support rest. Experiencing it in the fields adds something extra.
Looking Ahead
Running our lavender farm is our passion project and our life’s work. We have big plans for our small farm, and we continue to learn, refine, and grow every season.
If you visit the farm, bring lavender into your home, or share it with someone you love, we hope you feel the care that goes into everything we do.
We’re grateful you’re here.
—
Gina Hambly
Co-Founder, Hambly Lavender Farm
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