terms, but it works,” Patricia said. “What is a healthy balance? Our Valley is not in a healthy balance, but we are striving for it.” The couple says they are grape growers, not wine makers. Though they have been known to make a vintage or two along the way, they mainly sell their seven acres of Chardonnay grapes to other winemakers. Their 1.5 acres of lavender is a hybrid of the English lavender, lavendin cultivar Grosso and spike lavender, which is both dried and distilled by Donald. Lavender is a natural antibacterial and is said to calm the nerves. Damery tries to stay as close to the raw material as possible and limits the product line to the hydrosol (the mildly scented and acidic water that remains after Above: Racu, the fifteen-year-old llama takes his job as “protector” of the goats very seriously. the oil is distilled) essential oil, flower buds, Opposite page, top left: Donald Harms enjoys a glass of wine in the shade of redwoods. stems and bath salts. Young plants have a higher camphor content than older plants, so In 1983, Donald bought vineyard property we farming organically, but biodynamically she does not distill year-old lavender because on Mt. Veeder as well as a thirty-one-acre as well.” Biodynamic farming goes beyond there is too much camphor, which gives off a farm on Dry Creek. He avoided the use of organic in working to bring a balance back sharper and less pleasant fragrance. pesticides early on and strove to be organic in to the soils and the land, including the In addition to aromatherapy, lavender his practices, especially since his family had land around you. Just 8.5 acres of Harms buds and stems can be used in cooking. With suffered from autoimmune problems traced to Vineyards and Lavender Fields is cultivated. a camphor scent and astringency similar to farming chemicals. The remaining property is a forest filled with rosemary, Damery says lavender can substitute He and Patricia married in 1994 and native oaks, bay trees and a dying breed of for rosemary in any dish. The hydrosol can be started farming biodynamically in 1999 when manzanita trees. used in cosmetics and cleaning supplies. their Mt. Veeder grape crop looked as if it Donald and Patricia believe the unique “We produce the purest form of lavender,” might not ripen and would be a complete loss. philosophy towards farming enters them into said Patricia. “Because we grow it the way The winemaker said he didn’t want the grapes. a partnership with the land and all the forces we do, we can’t sell it in bulk form that is “It was the end of September and we were operating. Their lavender fields are grown economical, so we have become a boutique desperate,” said Patricia. “When things get in a community of plants and animals. The grower.” desperate are you more willing to be open to birds and bees are in abundance. Hawks and trying new things. owls patrol for gophers, while their lavender is The couple, who share a passion for “We were introduced to biodynamic fertilized by compost made from the manure farming, writing, psychology, demonstrates consultant Greg Willis. He worked with the of their goats, who also help with the weeding. the effect of what being good stewards to the soil using homeopathic concentration of Because the lavender fields are grown in a land can have on everyone. Like young David, various substances from the earth. He was biodynamic way with energy from the plants, Patricia says, people should be inquisitive and able to ripen our failing vineyard in ten days, the lavender’s healing properties are enhanced. ask questions. accelerating the maturation of the grapes by “Donald maintains the forest and keeps ”How important is it for all of us to pay six weeks. It was so unusual that if we hadn’t it fire safe by taming the kindling,” said attention to the landscape around us?” asked seen the result, we might not believe it.” Patricia. “Every day he walks the forest noting Patricia. “There has been never been a more That miracle started a new way of farming any changes or down trees. He distributes a critical time. If each one of us took care of our for Donald and Patricia. That same year they biodynamic healing field spray after clearing backyards and planted trees and stopped using were given sound advice to diversify, so they brush, which aids in the decay faster and helps chemicals including Roundup, energetically added lavender plants to the mix to get away with the fertility of the grove.” together each of us can make a difference. Let the collective energy grow.” from monoculture. They eventually sold the The field sprays combine valerian, yarrow, Mt. Veeder property and concentrated their dandelion, chamomile and oak bark to efforts on Dry Creek. They hired Willis for balance the earth and improve the soil. They To learn more about the Harms Vineyards another year to ensure their vineyard was off also spray a mixture of crushed quartz crystal and Lavender Fields, go to www. to a good start. and water to balance solar forces to solicit harmsvineyardsandlavenderfields.com and “He initiated us into a whole new way more heat and sunlight. be sure to check out their informative and of farming,” said Donald. “Not only are “It’s hard to explain in traditional scientific entertaining blogs. 14 w w w. n A PA V A L L E Y L I F E m A g A z I n E . c o m
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