Final report for FS24-372
Project Information
With the growing interest in herb plants and seeds in the United States and beyond, it would stand to reason that with the proper training and experience, a new farmer or an existing farmer could venture into herb plants and seeds as a cash crop in the state of Georgia. Not much land is needed to produce a variety of popular herbs and the market is available via social media, on retail media networks like Amazon and through collaboratives like the Common Market in Atlanta, GA. Gone on the days when one has to depend on foot traffic to make a dollar.
The Village Community Garden farm project will launch the Village Farmacy and Herb Collector project as a demonstration and training site for herb production and will engage its existing community members and surrounding rural counties and beyond from seed to market. The project also seeks to provide research on herbs that are not readily available in the stores or in Georgia. For example, with the assistance of University of Georgia, Dr. Greg Fonsah planted forty-one banana plants at the farm project to demonstrate that bananas can grow in Georgia. The Village Farmacy and Herb Collector is also interested in growing and cultivating unusual seeds like saffron which is normally grown in the Middle East. However, a couple of people in Vermont along with the University of Vermont seem to be growing the herb successfully.
The Village Farmacy and Herb Collector project will expand our current farming practice to include an entrepreneurial and agriculture business focus ventures focused on herb and seed production as a cash crop. We expect to expand our educational outreach to include business practices needed to make a living with farming. We will experiment with growing herbs three ways - in aeroponic towers, perennial peanuts as ground cover and on raised beds with plastic.
The expected outcome is that farmers can encourage each other through collaborations with innovative techniques, economic growth, healthy living, food security and improved quality of life. Southern Sky Center endeavors to assist beginning, veteran and transitioning farmers to create a livelihood from their land. Encouraging more individuals to enter the field of agriculture is the overarching goal of the project. The vulnerable populations of Worth County, Dougherty County and beyond, youth, and new generation farmers and farm enthusiast, food producers and the society at large will be significantly impacted by this project.
For the last ten years, Southern Sky continues to work and expand our reach to new farmers and farm enthusiasts. Therefore, the farm project has gained considerable recognition through the years and we are already training and working with several farmers interested in replicating the Village Community Garden farm project. As it stands, vegetable growers may consider growing herbs and, they usually think of fresh-market herbs. Fresh market herbs can be grown on large acreages for sales to wholesalers and chain stores or on very small acreages for direct sales to restaurants, farmer’s markets, and specialty grocery stores. Finding the resources for getting started in fresh-market herb production are now readily available with the popularity of herbs and naturopathic remedies.
FINAL UPDATE:
After two years of having launched “The Farmacy”, the interest in growing herbs, learning about medicinal remedies as an individual and for their families has proven to be thriving enterprise as a cash crop, as predicted. As previously stated, with a small plot of plan, a producer can produce a variety of popular herbs and they are marketed via social media, in retail store fronts, and farmers markets. In fact, the success of the enterprise is largely through word-of-mouth which superseded any need to rely on outside media networks like Amazon and collaboratives like the Common Market in Atlanta, GA. The Farmacy is in the process of launching the website for the enterprise by the end of July 2026. Eda Garcia, is the sole proprietor of the Farmacy and has expanded the projected to a larger nursery space than what was previously used.
To enhance the educational component of the project, Eda Garcia, teaches herbalism the third Thursday of the Month at the Village Community Garden. This additional activity serves to attention to the Farmacy which has proven to enhance the marketing of the products that make up the Farmacy.
In May of 2025, Eda Garcia completed her herbalism certification. She has created an apothecary space at the nursery which bring clients and shoppers to the Farmacy on a daily basis. Clients arrive by appointment for an herbal consultation regarding their health and wellness issues and journey. Together we create a nutrition plan and herbal remedy to support their health and wellness journey.
One of the most important considerations for herbs is site selection which has already been selected. The site has good drainage, adequate water supply, and we will utilize black plastic which has been prepping the land for the last two years. Black plastic had the best results for reducing weeds. Also, twenty-five aeroponic will grow herbs. Ten towers grow the equivalent of 2 acres of food. The aeroponic towers are housed in the hoop house which will also be used for seedling before transplanting. Our partner at 1Dog Ventures LLC will assist the project with herb fertilization as they have an expertise through their citrus production.
The Village Farmacy and Herb Collector project will market the seeds and the herb plants. There will be a high demand for bedding plants in the spring and the fall. We expect to use our existing hoop house for now because it will produce a variety of herbs including annuals and perennials. The herb plants can be sold in many ways including mail order, specialty shops, nurseries, and spring fairs and festivals.
The key to being successful with herbs is marketing. There is a wide variety of herbs and herb products, therefore there are many opportunities for all size herb operations. There’s also the opportunity to produce value-added products from the herbs. Because the herbal industry is new to most new and existing farmers, the Village Farmacy and Herb Collector project will utilize the farm and the demonstration site to educate the public.
When harvesting the herbs, planning ahead to identify when to harvest and what needs to be harvested from the plant is pivotal since not all herb parts are harvested the same way. There is so much to learn about herbs as medicine. However, now more than ever, resource information is now available to laymen. Post harvest handling is also significant to understand in order to not damage the roots and herbs.
Throughout the project, the plan is to adhere to seven industry specific Key Performance indicators for herb farming which is imperative to measuring success. The initial measures performed will be quantitative and will include annual herb yield and sales volume. By tracking annual yield will help with productivity and profitability for the farm operation. It will also allow for any modification and areas of improvement when necessary. Once the product is present to market, quantitative research will measure customer satisfaction through surveys and after sales ratings, sales growth rate, sales volume, herb quality rating and return on investment (ROI).
UPDATE:
I went a different direction and grew in pots rather than growing in the ground. It worked well because I was able to travel with the herbs which proved to be a good marketing campaign for the Nursery. I also did not grow in the aeroponic towers as planned. I stuck with the pots because as a new grower I wanted to learn and limit experimentation. However, I did use the organic fertilizer introduced to the farm for our citrus production. The spot that I had prepped for the last 2 years, was not used. I used a smaller patch of land to start with and my partner built a netted structure that would protect the herbs from the extreme heat once they got outside.
This year, I will use the original larger site that had been prepping because it is a much larger space, but I will also continue with the pots. For this spring season, I purchased raised bed boxes for theherbs and do a UPick scenario. I noticed last year, that although many purchased medicinal plants, I wonder how many will grow that plant to maturity and create medicine from it. I did begin drying my herbs and making it available to the public. In October 2024, I opened a shop in the Kelly Street Market where I sell my dried herbs and my tea blends from dried herbs. That opportunity is quite lucrative and I am able to move herbal products to the general public.
By the end of December, I did begin utilizing the much bigger space of land for the herbs, and provide shaded net to protect the herbs. However, the snow we received at the top of the year collapsed half of the structure due to the weight of the snow. We have replaced the structure now and we are ready to bring our plants home from a greenhouse at Fort Valley State University. The winter weather did not allow for planting young seedling. I requested support from Fort Valley State and they let me plant my seeds in their temperature-controlled greenhouse which resulted in 85 to 95 present yield. They will be coming home next week to the new shelter.
New Update:
My previous update on the objectives did not change. In fact, the changes made to the project as of the previous update were successful decisions. I still have not grown in the aeroponic towers, but there are plans to do so with the building of the Sankofa Taste Test Kitchen which is schedule to be completed by Summer 2027. The Kitchen will enhance the work of the Farmacy as I aspire to include nutrition in my Farmacy and nursery work.
The partnership with Fort Valley State University after two years have enable the Farmacy to plant seeds early in January in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. The partnership enables students to observe the progress of the plants starting with the seed process. Once the seeds are gown enough to transport to the Farmacy location, plants continue to thrive and are ready for market by March. The Farmacy dries the herbs in a leased factory space and produces blends of medicinal teas which are marketed at the Tifton Farmers Market, and Kelly Street Market in Sylvester GA. In addition, with the growth of the Farmacy and the demand for product required the Farmacy to lease a space to manufacture medicinal tea blends, dry and package products for distribution and sales.
The project has inspired my partner who leads the non-profit garden at the Village Community Garden. My partner, has created an enterprise with larger herbal plants considered superfoods: Moringa and Turmeric. He has also included banana plants with the venture that has proven to be successful for his work and to support the non-profit space financially.
This year, over 10,000 were grown from seed to plant to market. Last year approximately 5000 plants were the target. We believe we can continue to grow that number since the Nursery is becoming quite popular and well known.
Cooperators
- (Educator and Researcher)
- - Producer
- - Technical Advisor (Educator and Researcher)
Research
I purchased seeds from reputable organic growers because I decided I wanted to plant my own plants. I wanted the experience of being a grower and I loved it. As stated, last year I planted over 5000 seeds. This year, over 10,000 were grown from seeds. Yield was at 90 to 95%. Having a temperature-controlled greenhouse at Fort Valley State University provided to me by Dr. James Brown, Professor of Horticulture helped to meet my goals of becoming an herbal resource for Southwest Georgia.
I also learned some hard lessons which cost me money. We planted the seeds first with soil that was trucked to us. Although I explained that I was planting herbs, the vendor apparently did not provide the nutrients the required for young seedlings. I planted a batch of over 10,000 with no yield. I started from scratched which enabled a 90 to 95% yield.
This final year was focused on decision making for moving the Farmacy to a profitable enterprise. There were trials we lost, but I made some great gains. I believe that the success of the Farmacy will continue.
Key changes are in Herbal education and the awareness that it can be a profitable cash crop. Also, because I was not known as a farmer, I was not taken seriously and it was taken for granted that I would be successful until the word began spreading beyond Southwest Georgia that there is now an herbal resource. The attitudes changed when some farmers requested to be my grower. However, I became my own grower with the support of Fort Valley State University’s temperature-controlled greenhouse for seed growing. I also began to educate and teach farmers the delicacies of growing herbs.
This year, over 10,000 plants were grown from seeds. Yield was at 90 to 95%. Having a temperature-controlled greenhouse at Fort Valley State University provided to me by Dr. James Brown, Professor of Horticulture supported a successful plant yield. I was able to plant a large variety of approximately 56 plants. As I consider my cultivation plan for next year, I am gauging my selection of herbs to plant based on this year’s plant sales and most popular choices. The list has begun and we anticipate about 30 to 35 varieties based on current sales.
The interest for an herbal resource in Southwest Georgia has grown due to marketing at local retailers, farmers market and festivals and farm tours. Not only have I gained regular clients through the life of the grant, but it has brought more first-time customers to the Village Community Garden which is the home of the Farmacy Herb Makers Nursery. Due to the addition of the Nursery, visitors to the Nursery location and market sites are approximately 100 per month. We expect that number of visitors to increase exponentially.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
To successfully execute an expansive outreach and education project, Southern Sky has identified six (6) key strategies (see below) that will guide the management of the project. Southern Sky will continue to be a resource, provide workshops and hands-on activities, to include apprenticeships and career opportunities designed to support producers, communities and students interested in incorporating agricultural and conservation practices for self-reliance, producing healthy and nutritious food.
Strategy 1: This strategy will be led by the organization’s leadership and the recruited advisory committee to promote opportunities between producers, communities, and community leaders to collaborate on topics such as innovative farming techniques, economic growth, healthy living, and food security. With support from Fort Valley state University, University of Georgia, local veteran and experience farmers, the project will provide:
- Hands-on field practice opportunities on the farm -ongoing
- Workshops, annual symposiums and forums to maintain an arsenal of producers for continued learning and to inspire the next generation to enter the field of agriculture ongoing
- Florida-Georgia Farm Tour - October 2025(Completed) to participate again October 2026
- Sylvester Peanut Festival -- October 2025(Completed) to participate again October 2026
- Kelly Street Market storefront –Open doors November2024 and continues
- Assistance with accessing resources to support the profitability of the farming community. ongoing
Note: Additional partners in this endeavor are Fort Valley State University (FVSU), Morehouse School of Medicine, University of Georgia (UGA), Phoebe Medical Center, Worth County School System, Georgia Grown, City of Sylvester, and Worth County Health Department, Resora of Albany Georgia, local nurseries, veteran producers and businesses.
Strategy 2: Assistance for new producers will include, how to access funding and apply for grants, agreements and loans from SARE, USDA agencies like NRCS and others, building demonstration sites for outreach and engagement, recommended conservation practices to include teaching various regenerative agricultural techniques. PENDING
Strategy 3: A website that connects producers, communities, partners, agricultural professionals will share ideas, information and resources. Agritourism will also be a focus of the site for agribusinesses that which to engage the community at large for greater economic benefit. PENDING (to launch August 2026)
Strategy 4: Provide documented reports of activities and assessments that demonstrates audience satisfaction with the project deliverables. Develop a dissemination plan to share outcomes and finding for those who wish to enhance or expand their farm project. ONGOING
Strategy 5: Prepare and submit a semi-annual report to partners Completed
Strategy 6: Prepare and submit a final report for review of year end success. Completed as of July-14-2026.
In Summer 2026, the magazine featured the Farmacy in their Indigo Life Magazine with a focus of 5 black female farmers. In the article in 7 pages, the Farmacy was featured heavily. I welcome any opportunity to showcase the Farmacy. In fact, last year I was invited to install a medicinal garden installation at the Resora farm in Albany Georgia. The project has a few hiccups at the beginning due to having the gatekeepers of their garden how to protect their garden from the frost and heat. Things are much better and it has become a very rewarding partnership.
Also, the City of Sylvester Worth County, has named me the lead for their agri-tourism committee which will support farmers, ranchers and farm enthusiasts who are interested in having their farm venture appeal to the wider public, or simply to sustain their families for years to come.
I teach herbalism the third Thursday of the month at the Village Community Garden. Once the website is launched, the public will have access to workshops and information sessions for the public who cannot attend in person workshops, sessions will be videoed and posted on a newly created website. The videos will be archived for future reference.
The website platform will be dedicated to connecting partner farmers with agricultural professionals, herbalist, beginners and veteran farmers to share ideas, educate, inform and become a resource for each other. The website will also become a space for producers to highlight their own agricultural enterprise should they want to promote agri-tourism. An accompanying App will be developed that provides the location of the farms interested in welcoming the public. Since the advent of social media farmers in the most rural areas can have public access if they desire.
Learning Outcomes
Herbal education and the awareness that it can be a profitable cash crop.
. The attitudes changed when some farmers requested to be my grower. However, it will take education to teach current farmers the delicacies of growing herbs.
I was not taken seriously at first. It was taken for granted that I would be successful until the word began spreading beyond Southwest Georgia that there is now a herbal resource.
Project Outcomes
The Farmacy Herb Makers Nursery's value-added herbal project will strengthen the long-term profitability of specialty crop agriculture by creating new economic opportunities for small-scale herb producers while promoting agricultural production practices and improving community well-being.
Economic Benefits:
The project will increase farm profitability by transforming fresh medicinal and culinary herbs into higher-value products such as dried herbs, herbal teas, tinctures, salves, oxymels, seasoning blends, and other shelf-stable herbal products. Value-added processing extends the marketability of harvested crops, reduces losses from highly perishable fresh herbs, and creates year-round income opportunities. Promoting products and expanding into retail, wholesale, and online markets, the project improves business resilience, increases farm revenue, and creates opportunities for seasonal employment and partnerships with other local growers. These activities help strengthen the economic viability of small farms and keep more of the food dollar within rural communities.
Value-Added Benefits:
The project promotes specialty crop production through the cultivation of a wide variety of medicinal and culinary herbs that attract beneficial pollinators, and contribute to healthier agricultural ecosystems. Converting harvested herbs into shelf-stable products reduces food waste by utilizing a greater percentage of each harvest and extending product shelf life. Improved growing practices, responsible soil stewardship, and efficient use of harvested crops help conserve natural resources while encouraging long-term productivity of the farm. These practices support productive agricultural systems.
Social Benefits:
The project increases access to locally grown herbal products that support nutrition, wellness, and preventive health while strengthening consumer connections to local agriculture. Educational workshops, community garden partnerships, and demonstrations will increase public awareness of medicinal and culinary herbs, encouraging healthier lifestyles and greater appreciation for specialty crop agriculture. The project also provides opportunities for beginning farmers and local producers to learn about value-added processing, direct marketing, and specialty crop diversification, helping build a stronger and more resilient agricultural community.
Long-Term Profitability:
By combining herb production with value-added processing and expanded market access, this project creates a business model that improves farm profitability while conserving resources and strengthening rural communities. The project demonstrates how specialty crop producers can expand revenue streams, reduce waste, create local jobs, and contribute to a more resilient regional food and agricultural economy. This integrated approach supports the long-term profitability of both the farm and the b
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Southern SARE for providing the opportunity to complete this multi-year project focused on medicinal and culinary herb production. The support provided through this grant has allowed me to expand my knowledge of herb production, evaluate production practices, and build a stronger foundation for a value-added herbal enterprise.
Throughout this project, I observed increasing consumer interest in locally grown medicinal herbs, fresh culinary herbs, and value-added herbal products. As demand continues to grow, additional research would benefit small-scale producers in several key areas, including production methods, post-harvest handling and drying techniques that preserve product quality, cultivar evaluations, pest and disease management, and economic analyses comparing fresh-market sales with value-added products such as teas, tinctures, salves, and herbal seasonings. Research on season extension, propagation methods, and scalable harvesting systems would also help improve profitability for specialty herb growers. These topics align with SARE's emphasis on generating practical information that producers can apply to improve profitability and long-term production.
One of the most valuable outcomes of this project has been demonstrating that medicinal and culinary herbs can provide an economically viable opportunity for small farms while supporting landownership and community education. I plan to continue applying the knowledge gained through this project by expanding herb production, increasing value-added processing, and sharing lessons learned through workshops, demonstrations, and educational outreach to other farmers and gardeners.
Thank you to Southern SARE for investing in producer-led research that allows farmers to test innovative ideas, reduce risk, and strengthen the field of agriculture. I hope this project contributes to the growing body of knowledge supporting specialty crop producers and encourages additional research into medicinal and culinary herb production.