16th Annual Open Farm Weekend at Sunshine Lavender Farm

Sunshine Lavender Farm, 4104 Millstone Road, Hurdle Mills, is holding its 16th Annual Open Farm Weekend on Saturday, June 8th, and Sunday, June 9th, 2019.

Hurdle Mills is an unincorporated community in southern Person County and northern Orange County, North Carolina.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There’s no admission charge, and no parking fee, but please RSVP to help them plan.

Workshops range from $15 to $20. Register for them at the above link too.

This event is a chance to visit, relax and inhale the sweet fragrance of lavender. You can also learn how to plant, harvest and preserve lavender.

Here’s some of what’s going:

• Take a farm tour with the owners to learn how to plant, harvest and preserve this amazing, soothing and sweetly scented herb. Tours will happen throughout the day.
• Craft with fresh and preserved lavender with the assistance of farm Ambassadors. Ongoing during the weekend.
• Discover hundreds of lavender plants and proven varieties for southern gardens ready to take root in your yard or a favorite container. You may wish to visit the Lavender Garden Shed which will be stocked with handmade lavender items lovingly made in small batches for body, garden, gifts, home and weddings. Lavender items are created from the crop grown using natural practices where no synthetic chemicals of herbicides or pesticides are used. You will find many one-of-a-kind items unique to Sunshine Lavender Farm.
• New Workshop: Paint Along with a talented plein air artist, Justin Holdren. You’ll create your own work of art at the farm with the guidance from a local expert. Space is limited. Register by May 20.
• New Workshop: Learn to embroider original designs created just for the farm with Jess Faucette, a talented fiber artist from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Space is limited. Register by May 20.
• New Workshop: Local farm enthusiast and animal fiber lover, Charlotte Hughes will bring her deep knowledge of fiber to farm guests through two craft opportunities. Sign up for the morning workshop to create a nesting ball craft with animal fiber for the birds. Or, choose to craft an adorable mini llama with animal fiber at the afternoon workshop. Space is limited. Register by May 20.
• Create a fresh lavender mini wreath or fondly called a fairy crown from various shades of sweetly scented fresh lavender stems and stuff a sachet with preserved lavender to take home any time during the Open Farm Weekend. Register.
• Visiting artists will paint and sketch farm scenes.
• On Sunday, there will be a musician strumming on the farmhouse porch.
• Master Gardeners will be on hand to help answer your most pressing questions about cultivating annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees in the region. Learn from the Orange County Beekeepers Association and take home tips to help the pollinators.
• Arrive early to enjoy a snack or breakfast treat from Reed’s Coffee & Art.
• Farm fresh lunch will be available too with items created with lavender, courtesy of The Picnic Basket catering. If you have a group of 10+, email hello@sunshinelavenderfarm.com to learn more about preordering lunches.
• Enjoy refreshing and lavender-y ice cold treats from Locopops too.
• Back by popular demand, Honeygirl Meadery will join in the fun with tastings, by the sample, the glass or even take a bottle home.
• Bring your farmers market shopping list on Sunday. Local farmers raising produce and protein will create a mini-market with a selection of farms from the Hillsborough Farmers Market.
• The Poultry Palace is home to a lovely flock of hens and will be clucking in celebration too.

To best prepare for your visit, keep in mind that there are no entry or parking fees, simply register to save your spot. You will be asked to check in upon your arrival.

Your support of the farm is greatly appreciated. The farm is quite small, and a truly humble home.

The farm is open just three days a year. In June, during Open Farm Weekend, while the lavender is in bloom, and just before the crop is harvested, then again in December for the Lavender Holiday Open Farm Day. (Save the date: Saturday, December 14, 2019)

For your comfort, bring a quilt or lawn chair. A hat, water bottle (they are working hard to be a zero waste/no single use plastic event), sunscreen, garden shears and, of course, your camera too.

No pets, please.