Knapp Family Lavender Ranch

A few years back, Navy veterans Rick and Paula Knapp were looking to move out of suburbia and discovered a lovely 15-acre property just 35 miles north of Spokane. With an established lavender field nestled in the woods above Chain Lake north of Elk, Washington, the farm was exactly what they were looking for. After making the decision to purchase the property, and assuming their son and daughter-in-law would think they were “off their rocker with this hair-brained idea,” the Knapps were surprised to learn that their son and daughter-in-law shared the dream of owning a lavender farm. Once purchased, naming the farm came next. ‘Knapp’ for the family name. ‘Family’ for the kids’ involvement and future running of the farm. ‘Lavender’ for the crop they love, grow, harvest, and distill. But without any livestock on the farm, why ‘Ranch’? Well, Rick says with the plants needing to be trimmed they think of their lavender like “heads of lavender” and extrapolated that to be similar to “heads of cattle” which they “wrangle” on their ‘Ranch.’ Put together, they came up with Knapp Family Lavender Ranch, established in 2019.

“I’m a 21+ year Navy veteran and Paula (also a Navy veteran) and I have traveled to some interesting places in the world in our Navy career. We dropped anchor, aka retired from the Navy, in 1996 and I joined the civilian ranks working for the last 20+ years in various high-tech positions.  I still have a “Day Job” but the Lavender Passion is growing every day.  I’m currently a Sales Operations Data analyst for a company called Resideo; a work-from-home job that works well with our ranch responsibilities,” says Rick. They are periodically assisted by family and guests who earn the “coveted purple bandana” by sweating with them in the field. During the harvest season, they have hosted several U-Pick events and have occasionally been vendors at their local Farmers Market.

With several varieties of lavender totaling almost 900 plants, Knapp Family Lavender Ranch currently offers a wonderful selection of dried buds perfect for sachets and culinary applications, as well as lavender oil distilled on the premises, and the resulting hydrosol. Grosso is one of Rick’s favorite varieties due to its long, graceful stalks and the quality essential oil he is able to distill from it. His favorite use for lavender comes in the form of liquid libations, Lavender Lemonade, and a Lavender Moscow Mule, both of which he finds quite refreshing on a summer afternoon. (I’ll second that and ask if there’s anyone else who cares to drink to that with us!)

Currently, visits are by appointment only, but Rick is quick to add, “simply give us a call and I’m sure we can arrange something.” They can be found on Facebook.