We are planning the 2008 North American Lavender Conference. Please check back for alist of speakers. Until then, take a look at the 2006 conference speakers to get an idea of what will be coming!

Conference: Keynote Speakers

Virginia McNaughton, author of "The Essential Lavender," and "Lavender: the Grower's Guide," is an international authority on lavender. She has conducted extensive research into the genus Lavandula, and has lectured widely on lavender and its uses. McNaughton maintains the official Lavandula collection for New Zealand with over 300 varieties, and operates a unique lavender farm, "Lavender Downs," in New Zealand . In 2005 she was made a Life member of the New Zealand Lavender Growers Association and the Herb Federation of New Zealand. She is currently the Scientific Advisor for the Herb Federation and acts as a lavender oil judge for the Lavender Association.

 

Ellen Spector Platt has written many books on herbs and gardening, including the bestseller, "Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb." Platt formerly was a flower and herb farmer in Pennsylvania , but has recently moved to New York where she writes and teaches courses for the New York Botanic Garden , and the New York Horticultural Society. She has lectured at the New York , Philadelphia and New England Flower Shows, and at numerous Herb and Horticultural Societies, Garden Clubs and Arboreta.

     

Brian Lawrence, Ph.D., a flavor chemist and an international expert on essential oils, has authored over 80 scientific papers and 15 book chapters.In 1984 Lawrence received the first Distinguished Service Medal of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Fragrance Trades (IFEAT). He has made more than 60 presentations on essential oils at conferences around the world. In 1989, he created a new scientific journal entitled, "Journal of Essential Oil Research", which is the major journal devoted to essential oils. In 2004, Dr. Lawrence received a Medal of Honor from the University of Messina, Italy for his work on essential oils.

   

Andrew Van Hevelingen is co-owner and manager of VanHevelingenHerb Nurserywith his wife Melissa (est. 1982). Andrew grows and sells over 100varieties of lavender, as well as dozens of other herbs. Andrew has bred and developed a number ofunique lavender varieties. He is a regular garden writer for The Herb Companion Magazine, and has written numerous articles and chapters in other publications. He is Past President of both Willamette Valley Herb Society and The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon. Andrew is a popular lecturer on lavender and other herbs, and also is a garden photographer.