Feature Farm – Kharis Lavender Fields
Claudia Tsas, Owner

Q: Tell us about yourselves, your farm history, and how you ended up in lavender farming.

Greetings! I'm Claudia Tsas. My husband Robert and I bring our unique perspectives to our budding lavender farm and business. My Bolivian roots allow me to appreciate the importance of natural ingredients and what we put on, and in, our bodies, and how it affects our well-being. Robert brings his Dutch culture's farming influence into our lavender farming venture: but instead of growing rows of tulips, like in his native Netherlands, we grow lavender. His Dutch influence enhanced our farming procedures and product creation. Together, we built a local business known for our picturesque lavender farm with high-quality products and services. Within the fields of Kharis, we are making our dreams a reality and leaving a legacy for our children and grandchildren.

After 16+ years of working in an office, I was ready for a change. I have always valued lifting others up, promoting healthy well-being, and, above all, my family. So, what to do? With some capital, a desire to do good, and enormous entrepreneurial zeal, my search led me to Bethesda Green, a non-profit focused on local environmental challenges. They gave me the idea to use my land to grow lavender, a sustainable plant with low carbon and water footprints. Not to mention lavender has long been known for its soothing scent and natural healing properties!

My initial farm research led me to Bethesda Green, a non-profit focused on local environmental challenges. They gave me the idea to use my land to grow lavender, a sustainable plant with low carbon and water footprints. Not to mention lavender has long been known for its soothing scent and natural healing properties. With my husband and three children by my side, Kharis Lavender Fields was born. Armed with great drive and passion, our lavender field bloomed and our showroom was stocked with beautiful and purposeful products in just eight months. I pour myself into every aspect of this venture, from cultivating the soil to overseeing wbsite development. From deciding which items to produce, to packing orders with love and care. And the best part is being able to experience it all at home on the farm with loved ones! My children love working together as a family and I love creating lifelong memories with them. In 2020, I graduated from mom to grandma—not once, but twice! Now two rows of lavender are named after my beloved grandsons, who I get to see grow alongside our lavender.

As Kharis grows, so does our local and global impact. It fills me with joy to know my children witness not just how hard work can pay off, but the good that can blossom from it.

We not only want to create memories for our own family, but yours, too. Kharis Lavender Fields is a miniature farm, processing plant, factory, retailer and destination—where everyone can relax and learn about lavender, agriculture and the environment. I invite you to visit our farm and boutique gift shop, or shop our lavender goodies online to bring the farm to you.

Q: Tell us about your farm.

Our name "Kharis" is from the Greek word χάρη, meaning "Grace". Lavender, a fragrant flower, is valued for its organic beauty, healing properties and culinary properties. Lavender fields wafting in the breeze is the epitome of grace, so it made perfect sense to name our fields "Kharis".

• We currently have 1,000 plants in the ground on 5.5 acres of land.
• Our Angustifolias are Big Time Blue and Super Blue
• X Intermedia include Phenomenal, Sensational, Provence, Gros Bleu, Riverina Thomas, and Grosso

Q: What products do you manufacture and sell?

• Value-Added Product categories include: Body + Well Being, Home, Kitchen, Baby, and Pet
• Best-Sellers: Lavender Honey, Sachets, Body Lotion, Lip Balm

Q: Besides lavender farming, what else do you do?

Aside from lavender farming, we also have Kharis Lavender Barn, a modern boutique barn nestled within a 5-acre lavender field in the countryside of Gaithersburg. The Lavender Barn provides the ideal setting for showers, micro weddings, corporate events, wellness retreats, and other events. Complete with a full kitchen, loft space, indoor and outdoor transition, a Lavender Boutique and more, our space is yours to style however you would like, and our team is on hand to help bring your vision to life.

We hold several Workshops at the Barn, including Holiday Workshops, Bath-Bomb Making, Cooking with Lavender Classes, Yoga on the Lavender Fields, and more. Our Retail Business includes a Lavender Boutique and a Pop-up Shop for trade shows & several local seasonal & holiday markets.

Q: What is one of the biggest challenges you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?

In the beginning the biggest challenge was keeping our plants alive. At this point, we understand not all our plants will survive, and some winters will be harder than others. And we understand that we need to keep replacing and expanding cultivars until we find the ones that are the best fit for our microclimate.

Finding a business model that represents our core of values, that is an answer to the customers' needs of our market, and making the lavender business a profitable investment is at the center of our daily work.

Q: Plans for the future

• Build-Outs for a Commercial Kitchen and Outdoor Deck
• Butterfly Garden
• Wholesaling of our products to retail centers and other growers
• Community outreach and more social involvement

Contact Info