Name of business: Pageo Lavender Farm

Type of business: Lavender farm, gift shop, and event venue

Location: 11573 Golf Rd., Turlock

Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Contact info: 209-632-5052 or 209-604-8888

History of business: When Patty and George Kapor bought the country property just south of Turlock on Golf Road 10 years ago, they saw an opportunity to fulfill their dream of opening a lavender farm.

Their decision was reaffirmed when Patty Kapor brought her dad out to the property only to find he'd been there before. In fact he grew up right next door and — the story goes — that one day a cow got loose and he chased it right into the farm of his future wife, the place where Pageo now stands.

"People love to hear that story," said Josh Kapor, Patty and George's son and one of the lavender farm managers.

The Kapors started out growing lavender and vegetables, which they sold from a roadside stand. A few years later, when Josh Kapor graduated from college, his parents put a courtyard on the property to hold a celebration. Soon after that a friend asked if she could have her wedding at the farm. That was the start of what would become a booming business for Pageo.

The lavender farm now hosts 45 events a year, most of them weddings with a few community fundraisers, said Pageo farm manger Alexandra Rideinger.

While the popularity of Pageo as a wedding venue has grown exponentially, it remains a lavender farm first and foremost. Pageo sells its lavender both locally through its onsite gift shop and at farmers markets in Turlock and Modesto, and also to vendors across the country and internationally.

Sixty percent of the farm's lavender harvest is sold either in bundles for decorating or debudded and put into laundry bags or sachets. Forty percent of the harvest is distilled for oils to make lotions and soaps.

"There are many benefits of lavender...reducing stress, helps with sleep. It's a natural remedy and smells nice, too," said Kapor.

Business specialty: Growing lavender remains Pageo's specialty, "it's our original passion," said Rideinger. Not only can customers buy bundles of lavender, but Pageo makes its own lavender products including soaps, lotions, bath salts and sachets. Visitors to Pageo's gift shop can order a boxed lunch — provided by local eatery Green Grub  that includes a lavender drink and dessert and spend a few hours at the farm. Lunch orders must be placed 24 hours in advance.

While lavender will remain Pageo's focus, many know the small farm for its events venue. Pageo  has an outdoor courtyard, large lawn area and covered areas for catering.

"Many weddings have lavender as the theme and use our products as decoration," said Kapor.

The lavender farm  may be expanding its services in the future, as it is applying for a license to sell alcohol.

"We're hoping to have wine tastings out here in the future," said Rideinger.