Johnson City, Texas. The Texas Lavender Association (TLA) recently held a charter members meeting at LBJ National Park’s Johnson Settlement in Johnson City.

Attending the meeting were representatives of lavender farms throughout Texas including several lavender farms from the local area.

TLA is a nonprofit organization formed to promote the research, education, growth, market development, and distribution of lavender and lavender products.

Headquarters are in Johnson City, Blanco County, Texas.

The Texas lavender industry, consisting of a handful of farms in 2000, is now recognized as a sustainable growing industry with over forty lavender farms located throughout the state.

Speakers at the meeting were Kathy Slaughter from Gabriel Farms, organizer of the annual Southwest Lavender Conference, and Brad Roeder, Texas Department of Agriculture spokesperson.

Both shared ideas with the new organization and discussed the significant role the TLA can play in promoting the new lavender industry.

TLA charter membership is open until February 28, 2009, for those interested in promoting lavender in Texas. For more information on joining the Texas LGA, contact Chelita Riley at 830-868-2806, P.O. Box 1717, Johnson City, Texas. 78636 or email: rileychelita@yahoo.com.