Step onto the farm property of Gracious Farm Herbal Learning for an earthy lesson on herbs and botanicals you can use right off your land. Southwest Ohio Parent sat down with Crystal Judge, owner and operator of Gracious Farm, to learn how the farm teaches visitors how to use plants like wildflowers as food and medicine.
Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to open Gracious Farm to the public?
I’ve been a student of herbal learning for almost 30 years now and so many people said they wish they had plant knowledge, too. It can be scary to start something new but I wanted to show people that it can be easy, fun and exciting.
What is unique about Gracious Farm?
As far as our products, we grow most of the ingredients. We really take pride in the entire process and the connection to the plants as food and medicine.
Gracious Farm classes look like a blast for families! Who would you recommend to try a Gracious Farm class?
Anyone! We have classes designed for children, families, individuals and groups. We teach Herbal Homeschool, Herbal Learning and host summer camps at Gracious Farm. We also have herb walks and specialty classes. On location, we go to schools, clubs and meetings from various different groups.
Does Gracious Farm have big goals for the future?
The original goal was to be the largest supplier of dried herbs in Ohio and to be a local nursery. As we have leaned into teaching more, we have tossed around the idea of becoming a non-profit in herbal education. So really we are still trying to figure out how we could be the biggest benefit to the community.