Will & Monica McLaughlin
Monica and Will’s lavender journey began as McLaughlin Lavender—a small, growing business rooted in handmade products, community, and a deep love for the plant itself. As the business grew, so did the vision of creating a place where lavender could be grown in relationship with the land, not separate from it.
How did your vision for the farm evolve?
When we purchased land to start a lavender farm of our own in Goldendale, Washington, we also chose a completely off-grid way of living and farming. That decision naturally shaped everything that followed. Without municipal water, power, or infrastructure, we learned quickly that the land would set the pace—and that listening mattered more than forcing outcomes.
The heart of the farm revealed itself through its surroundings—oak groves, towering pines, natural clearings, and the quiet rhythms of the landscape guiding how and where to grow lavender. The land itself became part of the design process, influencing our layout, our systems, and our long-term vision.
We chose the name Among the Trees Botanical Lavender Farm to reflect our commitment to growing and building in harmony with nature—allowing the landscape to guide our practices, our pace, and our future. The name honors where we started and where we are growing now: lavender rooted among the trees, shaped by the land, and nurtured with intention
What did you do before you were a lavender farmer?
Before becoming a lavender farmer, my work was deeply rooted in community building, tourism, and small-business development. I served as a Main Street Director, where I supported local entrepreneurs, strengthened downtown economies, and helped create spaces where communities could gather and thrive. I also worked in hospitality and event planning, coordinating weddings and immersive experiences that celebrated craftsmanship, place, and meaningful connection.
Alongside this work, I spent several years as a college lacrosse coach, trading long days and weekends for the privilege of mentoring young athletes and building strong, resilient teams. Coaching taught me patience, leadership, and the power of showing up consistently for something you believe in. In 2022, I hung up my whistle and began listening more closely to what I needed next. That season led me toward a slower, more intentional life—one rooted in nature, creativity, and working with my hands. In 2023, that shift became the beginning of our lavender journey.
My husband, Will, is an essential part of this adventure. He works for the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, focusing on website and social media work, and brings those same skills to the farm behind the scenes. From managing our website and tech needs to caring for animals, hauling water for our off-grid setup, and handling market setup, tear-down, and sales, Will’s steady support makes this farm possible. This work—and this life—would not exist without him.
Today, I carry all of these experiences into the farm. I continue supporting community growth through McLaughlin Events & Marketing, hosting workshops, markets, and seasonal events that uplift local makers and celebrate handmade work. In many ways, lavender farming isn’t a departure from my past—it’s a continuation. It brings together everything I’ve loved over the years: cultivating connection, building something meaningful from the ground up, and creating spaces where people can slow down, feel inspired, and belong.
How long have you been growing lavender? What led you to become a lavender farmer?
I’ve been growing lavender since 2020, beginning with just a few plants and a whole lot of curiosity. At first, I was drawn to lavender for its scent and beauty, but what truly pulled me in was how it made me feel. Working with lavender slowed me down. It brought calm, creativity, and a sense of grounding I didn’t realize I was missing.
As I explored its many uses—especially in skin and body care—I began to see lavender as something more than a crop. It felt like magic in plant form: soothing, fragrant, healing, and deeply versatile. In a season of my life when I was craving peace and a more intentional way of living, lavender offered a path forward. I didn’t just like growing it—I needed what it brought into my life.
Through Lavender Northwest, that personal pull grew into something larger. I found a community of lavender farmers who were generous with their knowledge and honest about the realities of this work. Being part of Lavender NW helped me understand that lavender farming could be both a creative practice and a sustainable livelihood—rooted in land stewardship, patience, and care.
One of the most meaningful connections to come from Lavender Northwest was finding a mentor in Tom Binder. His guidance and willingness to share hard-earned experience helped shape how we think about our farm, our practices, and our long-term vision. Having someone believe in what we were building gave me the confidence to take the leap from hobbyist to farmer.
How many plants do you have on your farm, and what’s your favorite cultivar?
Right now, we have 36 lavender plants in the ground, and we’re expanding slowly and intentionally. Most of our plants are culinary English varieties, chosen for their fragrance, versatility, and resilience in our dryland climate. Last April, we were lucky to be able to cut lavender cuttings from a few friends’ farms, and we’re excited to plant them out this season and offer some of those young plants at a spring plant sale.
Our lavender is planted in harmony with the landscape around our off-grid cabin, following the natural trail up to our ridge overlook. Here, visitors can stand among lavender with sweeping views of the Simcoe Mountains and Mount Adams. Our long-term vision is to create connected paths linking different plant “pods” on the lower level of our farm — lavender, herbs, pollinator gardens, and quiet resting spaces — making the farm both unique and deeply immersive for visitors.
My favorite lavender variety is Royal Velvet. Its deep, rich color, sturdy stems, and soft yet memorable fragrance make it incredibly versatile — beautiful in fresh bouquets, long-lasting when dried, and wonderful for culinary use. Royal Velvet feels both classic and enchanting, and to me, it represents the graceful, multi-purpose nature of lavender at its best.
What is your favorite product or use for the lavender you grow?
My favorite use for our lavender is creating handcrafted body and home products that feel both comforting and meaningful — especially our botanical salves, candles, linen sprays, and soaps. I’ve truly loved learning cold process soapmaking, the traditional, time-honored way of making soap that requires patience, intention, and trust in the process. There’s something deeply satisfying about working with simple ingredients, natural oils, and botanicals, and letting time do its work.
I also love creating infused botanical products — slowly steeping lavender and other herbs to capture their essence, then blending them into products designed to help people slow down, soften, and reconnect with themselves. Each step feels like a quiet ritual, rooted in care and creativity.
There’s something special about watching a tiny plant grow in the soil, harvesting its flowers by hand, and then using that same lavender in a product that becomes part of someone’s daily life. That journey — from land to hands to home — is what makes this work so meaningful to me. It connects the farm to the person, the landscape to a moment of rest.
To me, lavender isn’t just a scent or a crop — it’s a way to offer calm, care, and a little bit of nature’s magic in everyday moments. Every product carries a piece of the land it came from, and my hope is that when someone uses it, they feel a sense of peace, grounding, and connection — even if just for a moment.
What’s your best tip or advice regarding any aspect of growing lavender?
Best tip: Slow down and let lavender teach you patience.
Lavender is a plant that thrives when you resist the urge to rush. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned — through experience and mentorship — is to give lavender the time it needs to establish strong roots before expecting big growth or harvests.
Whether it’s waiting for soil to fully settle before planting, allowing young plants to mature before taking cuttings, or harvesting at just the right stage, patience makes all the difference. Lavender rewards those who prepare well, prune thoughtfully, and water sparingly.
Healthy soil and excellent drainage matter far more than speed. When lavender is allowed to grow at its own pace, it produces stronger plants, better flowers, sturdier stems, and far less stress over time.
In many ways, growing lavender is like building a farm or a dream — the roots always matter more than how fast it blooms.
What forms of marketing or community outreach have you used that may, or may not, have been successful for your business?
We’ve found that the most meaningful and successful marketing for our lavender business has been deeply relationship-based and rooted in community. Pop-ups, farmers markets, workshops, and local vendor events have given us the chance to meet people face to face — to let them smell the lavender, feel the products, ask questions, and hear the story of how and why we’re building this farm. Those in-person moments create trust, familiarity, and loyalty in a way no digital strategy ever could.
Community events have also allowed us to grow alongside other small businesses. Showing up consistently, supporting fellow makers, collaborating, and being part of shared experiences has strengthened our presence far more than trying to “stand out” on our own. Lavender is a sensory plant, and being able to experience it in person — rather than through a screen — has been essential to our growth.
Instagram has been another valuable tool, especially when we use it as a storytelling platform rather than a sales channel. Sharing our real journey — moving to a new property, building an off-grid farm, learning as we go, and growing slowly and intentionally — has helped people connect with our values, our lifestyle, and the heart behind the brand. When people feel invested in the story, they naturally want to support what we’re building.
On the other hand, we’ve found that traditional digital advertising hasn’t been particularly effective for a small lavender farm like ours. While ads can reach a wide audience, they don’t foster the same sense of trust or belonging. For us, visibility without connection doesn’t translate into long-term support. We’ve learned that community over clicks is not only more sustainable, but far more fulfilling.
At its core, our outreach has stayed simple: show up authentically, share the story honestly, support others generously, and build relationships alongside the lavender. When we focus on connection first, everything else tends to grow naturally — both in the fields and in the community around us.
As you reflect on prior farming practices, what is your biggest “regret” or “wish” you have done differently?
If there’s anything we wish we had done differently looking back, it’s simply that we had found our land sooner — a place that had never been sprayed, grazed, or heavily managed with chemicals. Having the opportunity to start on land that is truly untouched has reshaped how we think about farming, stewardship, and responsibility.
Do you grow anything in addition to lavender? What other products or services does your farm offer?
Yes — wild lupine and yarrow already grow naturally across our property, and we’re planning to expand with additional medicinal herbs, culinary plants, and cut flowers. These plants will be used throughout our skincare line, candles, teas, culinary creations, and eventually in handmade bouquets that reflect the seasons of the farm. We share the land with chickens (with plans to offer farm-fresh eggs in the future) and four mini goats, who are not only part of our daily rhythm but also serve a practical role.
Who helps you with your lavender operation?
Our lavender operation is truly a labor of love, sustained by partnership, family, and a deeply supportive community. My husband and I do the majority of the work ourselves — everything from planting and propagating to harvesting, processing, product development, bottling, labeling, and hauling gear to and from markets and events. On any given day, we’re switching hats constantly: farmers, makers, marketers, educators, and caretakers of both land and animals.
What outlets do you use to sell your products?
We currently sell our products through a mix of local and regional markets, community events, and e-commerce. Our outlets include:
- We own our Little Lavender Boutique in the Market Place Underground in downtown La Grande!
- Farmers markets and vendor events throughout the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding communities including The Dalles and Hood River
- Seasonal bazaars, pop-ups, and maker markets
- Our online website, where we offer nationwide shipping
- Retail placement with local partners, such as The Dalles Art Center, Dad’s Sourdough Bakery, Sibert’s “The Meating Place”, K Voelz Wines Tasting Room and more
Contact Information:
Among the Trees Botanical Lavender Farm
215 Chisholm Road
Goldendale, WA 98620
Website: www.amongthetreeslavenderfarm.com
Instagram: @amongthetreeslavenderfarm
Facebook: Among The Trees Botanical Lavender Farm
Contact: Monica by EMAIL
Contributed by
Carol Stiff
Bald Butte Lavender Farm
Edited & formatted by
Michael Lemmers & Chris Mulder
RavenCroft / Barn Owl Nursery
