Early today the Lavender Association of Western Colorado hosted the first Southwest Lavender Conference here in Grand Junction.

People from across the country gathered at the Two Rivers Convention Center to discuss the future of lavender growing here in the centennial state and to announce a new research grant that will help the lavender industry grow in our area.

“We have very exciting news today because we have been awarded a grant through the Colorado Department of Agriculture, in their specialty crop grant funding, and it's going to be used to research the quality of our high altitude essential lavender oils. Lavender is a very useful herb. I love to use it as a garden plant but theirs so many things you can do. You can make essential oils out of it that makes lotions and soaps. We’re making a lot of culinary spice blends now with it” explained Kathy Kimbough, President of Lavender Association of Western Colorado.

Since lavender grows well in hot, dry, and sunny locations, it's become one of the fastest growing industries in the state as a new and developing cash crop.