Blooming Joy Farm

Ronan, Montana

Gene & Julie Conrad

Lavender Northwest is delighted to highlight Blooming Joy Farm, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Gene and Julie Conrad. An engineer by profession, Gene has the ability to design efficient systems and creatively solve problems — an incredible asset to the farm. Julie has a lifelong love of growing plants and practicing animal husbandry. She is the farm’s visionary, developing educational programs, community experiences, and products that reflect holistic living and connection to the land.

How did you choose the farm’s name?

We chose the name Blooming Joy Farm after much thoughtful consideration. It reflects who we are and what we hope people experience here. Our FarmStay guests often share how much peace and joy they feel while staying on the farm. From productive gardens and flower beds to our lavender field, sheep, and chickens grazing nearby, there is a simple joy in watching farm life unfold.

How did you start lavender farming and product-making in the Ronan area?

Julie has grown lavender as a home gardener for many years—it has long been one of her favorite plants. Producing lavender on a larger scale has been a longtime goal, especially to support farm-made products. With her interest in lavender for medicinal and culinary purposes, Julie creates lavender lotion bars and a hand salve using lavender and other herbs grown on the farm. The hand salve, in particular, has been very well received for its soothing and healing properties.

We started with a small collection of 20+ plants representing several cultivars. This spring we added 320 Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’ plants. Being located in northwest Montana does place some limitations on our cultivar selection, making hardy choices especially important.

Favorite lavender use?

Julie’s favorite lavender product is her hand salve, which blends lavender with two other herbs grown on the farm.

Image - Conrad Farm - Sheep & G & J - JC

Best lavender growing tip?

Proper pruning has proven essential to maintaining healthy, vigorous lavender plants. Consistent, deliberate pruning supports long-term growth and plant vitality.

Marketing and outreach strategy?

We connect with our community primarily through a monthly newsletter and social media. We’ve found that slow, intentional growth brings thoughtful, engaged customers. Finding the right audience takes time, and we view that process as part of building something meaningful.

Sales outlets?

Our products are available through our website shop. We also vend at the Modern Homesteading Conference and the Eureka Fiber Festival.

Beyond lavender: other offerings?

In addition to lavender, we raise Icelandic sheep, chickens, and a few pigs each year. Our farm products include wool roving, yarn, pelts, lamb meat, and handcrafted peg looms made by Gene. We also operate a busy FarmStay. This year, we are expanding our community offerings with watercolor art classes in the lavender field, a Friends of the Farm program, a family day on the farm after lambing, and photography sessions. Julie also maintains an active blog, writing monthly posts on farming and holistic living, with plans to include more lavender-focused education.

Farm help?

The farm is run by Gene and Julie, with Gene working off-farm five days a week. We have developed a mentorship program that allows individuals to come learn and help on the farm for short periods of time.

Reflections & lessons learned?

Farming is a continual learning process. What works one year may not work the next. Staying flexible and ready-to-pivot, and approaching challenges with creativity has helped us grow. We don’t expect to ever have it all figured out—and that ongoing learning may be one of the greatest joys of farming.