Wayward Winds Lavender

Employees at Wayward Winds Lavender farm in Newberg like to joke that they go home at the end of the day smelling better than when they started. That's because working in the lavender fields leaves them pleasantly scented with the resin of the aromatic plants.

Every summer during growing season, the 12-acre farm attracts visitors who love to pick bunches of fragrant purple, pink, or white lavender, walk through the lavender maze, enjoy a lavender lemonade, or stock up on handcrafted products from the farm stand. Products infused with lavender include body lotions and muscle rubs, dryer sachets, loose leaf tea blends, cookies, balsamic vinegar, and chocolate sauce. As the farm’s website proclaims, “If it can be made with this magical herb, we do it!”

In addition to selling its products online, through its own shop, and through other retailers, Wayward Winds Lavender offers wholesale plants and lavender products to farms and shops throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The farm also hosts classes and events including yoga, watercolor painting, and making lavender wreaths. It’s particularly busy during the weekend of Newberg’s annual Willamette Valley Lavender Festival & Plein Air Art Show in July. In the days before the festival, artists set up their easels in the fields to capture the enchanting scenes.

The farm’s owner and creative director, Marilyn Kosel, was one of the founding members of the festival and remains involved with it today. Marilyn, who has farmed lavender for over 20 years, was one of the first farmers to start growing it in Yamhill County. She was an early charter member of the United States Lavender Growers Association and helped set up Lavender Northwest.

Being proactive about safety

At Wayward Winds Lavender, the fields literally buzz with the energy of hundreds of wild bees that cluster on the 100 different lavender cultivars. Although a delightful sight and sound, the bees present a potential safety concern. Perhaps surprisingly, given the number of bees in the plants, stings are rare. Farm employees are trained to work safely around the insects. Before they harvest or prune a plant, employees give the bush a good shake with their foot to dislodge any bees.

They’re also trained in what to do in case of bee stings, and they record all stings in an incident book. If a visitor is stung, the team takes their phone number and follows up with them a couple of hours later in case they experienced delayed anaphylactic shock. The farm’s street address is also clearly displayed in the shop in case an accident or health emergency occurs and an employee needs to call 9-1-1 for an ambulance.

With lavender’s relatively short bloom season, summer is a “manic, busy time,” says Jayson Hoyt, the farm manager. “But we believe in being proactive about safety.”

Excessive heat is a major factor for outdoor workers in summer. Wayward Winds Lavender farm protects its workers with shaded areas and fans set up around the farm stand and U-pick areas. Regular and frequent water breaks are also a necessity as temperatures rise. “For employees working in the field, we train them to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water,” says Jayson. “They also wear sunscreen and hats and take regular breaks in the shade.”

When it comes to harvesting the lavender, employees are also trained in how to safely wield the sharp hand sickles by pulling the blade in a controlled motion away from their body. Only employees over the age of 18 are allowed to use electric pruners.

Creating memories

Towards the end of the day, when most visitors have left with their bundles of lavender and other fragrant products, the farm attracts other guests. Wayward Winds Lavender is deservedly popular with professional photographers, who particularly enjoy the “golden hour” in early evening. The undulating rows of lavender bushes glowing in the sun, the picturesque old-fashioned farm truck, and the orange barn doors provide a magical backdrop for commemorating engagements and graduations or creating family portraits.  

For workers, too, Wayward Winds Lavender farm provides a memorable experience. As Jayson says, “It’s hard to have a bad day when you’re surrounded by all this beauty for all the senses.”