Bill Luedecke III is a realtor and Master Gardener in from Oatmeal, Texas where Bill follows his true passion: growing things. Gardening is sometimes a bit tricky in the Texas Hill Country and Bill can help your through it in his book “Gardening in the Texas Hill Country.” From Bill you will learn which tools and formulas work best in our rocky, alkaline soil. You’ll also get the inside scoop on fending off deer and other critters that want to feast on your thriving plans, On the flip side, you’ll learn how to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, how to build a raised-bed garden and how to enjoy great home-grown fruits and vegetables or beautiful roses.

Melanie Van Aken co-owner of Heron’s Nest Herb Farm for the last 12 years. Midwife in Central Texas – retired after 28 years and over 1,000 births. Most of my continuing education as a midwife was spent studying herbs and alternative health care practices, including Aromatherapy. For the past 3 years I have been hosting classes on the farm sharing my love for Lavender and other Essential oils. Come and find out how easy it is to incorporate Lavender and other Eos into your daily life. We will explore the many uses and benefits and end the class with a hands on project. We will make a 2 oz Mister with Lavender and 7 other great Essential Oil Scents.

Amber Royer, author of A Walk Through Dandylyon's Garden: Enhancing Your Life through Natural Botanicals, is a librarian turned freelance writer/artisan who now indulges her love of herbs by crafting the ones she grows into beautiful sachets. She is a regular columnist for the Dave's Garden web community, and teaches continuing eduction courses for a number of venues, including the University of Texas at Arlington. To find out more about her, and her business, Dandylyon's Garden, visit www.dandylyonsgarden.com. You will be able to purchase her crafts at the festival or on-line.

You will learn all about Cooking with Lavender and taste samples of yummy treats from Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm. Lavender Grape Punch, Juniper Provence Chicken Salad and Roasted Garlic Pimiento Cheese, Home Made Artisian Crackers with Lavender Sea Salt, Lavender Scented Olives~Local Goat Cheese, French Apple Tart with Lavender Syrup

Amber Royer, author of A Walk Through Dandylyon's Garden: Enhancing Your Life through Natural Botanicals, is a librarian turned freelance writer/artisan who now indulges her love of herbs by crafting the ones she grows into beautiful sachets. She is a regular columnist for the Dave's Garden web community, and teaches continuing eduction courses for a number of venues, including the University of Texas at Arlington. To find out more about her, and her business, Dandylyon's Garden, visit www.dandylyonsgarden.com. You will be able to purchase her crafts at the festival or on-line.

Fred has been working with Hill Country soil development for the last 13 years on his herb farm here in Blanco County. 8 years ago he began a lavender field and found some new challenges to overcome. He will share with you simple organic and environmentally friendly methods to improve your chances of success in growing lavender.