Healing Power of Herbs

The Healing Power of Herbs: Boosting Wellness One Leaf at a Time

When you think of herbs, you might picture a garnish on your dinner plate or a fragrant sprig tossed into a sauce — but herbs are so much more than kitchen flavor. These small but mighty plants have been used for centuries to support health, soothe stress, aid digestion, and even uplift the spirit. Whether you're steeping a calming tea, blending a smoothie, or seasoning your favorite local veggies, herbs are a simple, natural way to nourish your body.

Take Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi — a staple in Ayurvedic medicine renowned for its stress-reducing and immune-boosting qualities. Fancy Plants Farmstead offers fresh Holy Basil, perfect for steeping into a calming tea or chopping into a grain bowl. Right alongside it, they’re also growing Lemon Balm, a citrusy herb that’s fantastic for easing anxiety, promoting restful sleep, and supporting digestion. Try steeping a few fresh leaves into hot water for a gentle, mood-boosting brew.

If you’re looking for herbs to invigorate and refresh, mint varieties are a perfect place to start. Fancy Plants Farmstead grows several: Peppermint, Spearmint, Mojito Mint, Orange Mint, and even Chocolate Mint. These can be muddled into drinks, chopped into fruit salads, or dried for teas. Mint is especially helpful for digestion, cooling inflammation, and freshening breath.

For culinary classics with a health kick, Italian Basil and Dill from Correll Farms, LLC are both flavorful and functional. Basil is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, while Dill supports digestion and gut health. Add them to pastas, grain bowls, or fresh veggie dishes from your Piedmont Fresh order.

And don’t overlook Parsley — often underestimated, this leafy herb is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamin C and beneficial for kidney health. Chop it fresh over roasted vegetables or mix it into homemade dressings.

Looking for something aromatic to keep on the pantry shelf? Culinary Lavender Buds from Muddy Creek Lavender add floral notes to baked goods and teas and are known for their calming properties. They also offer a beautifully blended Herbs de Provence mix — a fragrant staple for seasoning vegetables, meats, or soups.

Lastly, Oregano, offered both fresh and dried by Fancy Plants Farmstead, is well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral qualities, especially useful during cold and flu season. Add it to homemade sauces, soups, or blend it into herb oil for dipping.

From Local Fields to Your Kitchen

Adding herbs to your lifestyle is an easy, impactful way to improve wellness. And when you shop through Piedmont Fresh, Thomasville Farmers Market, or Lexington Farmers Market, you're not only supporting your own health — you're supporting local farms and a stronger, more resilient food system in the Piedmont region.

Explore our current offerings of fresh and dried herbs online and discover how just a few sprigs can make a big difference — in flavor and in life.

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Preserving Farmland for the Future: The Story of Roberts Farm

Preserving Farmland for the Future: The Story of Roberts Farm

Spring 2025 | Davidson–Randolph Counties, NC
By Samantha Snyder | Photos by Grace & Cary Kanoy

If you’ve ever driven a familiar backroad and spotted a new subdivision where a farm once stood, you know the bittersweet feeling: more rooftops, less pasture. In southern Davidson and Randolph Counties, one family is working to make sure some of that rural beauty stays untouched — forever.

Meet Lloyd Roberts, a first-generation cattle farmer in Denton, NC. Wearing a green John Deere cap and his farm’s logo, he surveys the land with pride: “They’ve got really good soils here. Really good rolling land, perfect for cattle. So it wasn’t a tough decision to say, ‘I’m going to preserve this farm.’”

From Tractor Sales to Cattle Grazing

Lloyd’s path to farming started in the late ’80s as a John Deere salesman. That career evolved into dealership co-ownership and close relationships with farmers — and eventually, a desire to join their ranks. In the early 2000s, he and his wife Tammy bought 50 acres and dove in, learning from local ag experts and other farmers.

“We were like sponges,” Lloyd says. That journey led them to the idea of farmland preservation — and it stuck.

300 Acres, Permanently Protected

Farmland loss is accelerating, and Lloyd had seen it firsthand. Determined to protect his land, he partnered with Three Rivers Land Trust, placing a conservation easement on the farm. In 2021, they protected 200 acres; in 2023, another 100 — all now safe from development.

“It’s about more than farming,” he says. “It’s about protecting the scenery, the space, and the potential for food.”

A Business Rooted in Stewardship

Cattle farming takes serious capital. Lloyd acknowledges that land preservation doesn’t pay like a developer might, but he’s committed to the long game. With help from programs like EQIP, and through their on-farm store, the Roberts family is building a brand focused on quality beef and community connection.

“Our customers want us here,” Lloyd says. “It’s a relationship.”

A Legacy Secured

Lloyd isn’t sure if the next generation will take over, but he’s okay with that. Thanks to the easement, the land must remain in agriculture — whether it’s owned by family or someone else.

“You can farm it, you can do agritourism,” he says. “You just can’t develop it. This is forever. There’s no going back.”

And with that, Lloyd turns to his herd, grazing peacefully on land now preserved — for good.

Read more about this article on Page 8 of our local food guide.

Rooted in Wellness: Health Benefits of Fresh Local Produce

🥕 Rooted in Wellness: Health Benefits of Fresh Local Produce

There’s nothing quite like the flavor of just-harvested vegetables grown close to home. Not only do local crops taste better, but they’re also loaded with nutrients that help fuel your body naturally. Let’s dig into the health benefits of a few seasonal superstars you might spot at the farmers market this week:

❤️ Red Beets

Beets are powerhouses for heart and brain health. They’re rich in nitrates, which may help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Their earthy sweetness comes with a bonus of antioxidants like betalains—great for fighting inflammation.

🛒 Try them roasted, shaved raw into salads, or blended into a refreshing beet hummus.

💛 Yellow Squash

Packed with vitamin C and manganese, yellow squash helps boost immunity and protect your bones. Its soft skin and tender flesh make it perfect for quick cooking—and it’s low in calories but big on fiber.

🛒 Grill it, spiralize it into noodles, or sauté with herbs and onions.

🥒 Cucumbers

Hydrating and refreshing, cucumbers are about 95% water—perfect for summer! They also deliver vitamin K and antioxidants. Plus, they’re known to aid in digestion and help soothe inflammation.

🛒 Slice them into salads, pickle them, or blend into cold cucumber soup.

🥕 Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A to support healthy vision and skin. Their natural sweetness makes them a favorite for both raw snacking and roasted dishes.

🛒 Enjoy them raw with hummus, grated into slaws, or caramelized in the oven.

🥬 Collard Greens

These Southern staples are full of calcium, folate, and fiber. Collards may help lower cholesterol and support liver detox. Eating them fresh and lightly cooked preserves their nutrients.

🛒 Steam or sauté them with garlic and a splash of vinegar—or wrap them around sandwich fillings as a low-carb wrap.

🥢 Napa Cabbage

Milder and more tender than traditional cabbage, Napa is high in vitamin C and folate. It’s especially good for digestion thanks to its fiber content and prebiotic qualities.

🛒 Use it in stir-fries, slaws, or ferment it into homemade kimchi for gut health.

🌿 Pesto Party: Delicious Ways to Eat More Greens (and Love It)

Pesto isn’t just for pasta—it’s a flavor-packed, nutrient-rich condiment that can elevate all kinds of meals. Made with fresh basil, garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil, pesto is loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants, and a big punch of taste.

Here are two crave-worthy pesto pairings:

🥪 Turkey, Cheese & Tomato Pesto Sandwich

Layer sliced turkey, juicy tomato, and your favorite cheese (think mozzarella or provolone) on a hearty slice of sourdough or multigrain bread. Add a generous spread of pesto on one or both sides. Grill it or press it for a warm, melty lunch that bursts with flavor.

Tip: Try this with fresh-baked local bread and tomatoes from the farmers market for next-level taste.

🍝 Pesto Veggie Noodle Bowl

Toss roasted or sautéed yellow squash, carrots, and celery with noodles (regular or veggie-based) and stir in a big spoonful of pesto. Finish with a sprinkle of parmesan or nutritional yeast.

This makes a quick, satisfying dinner full of fiber, color, and nutrients.

🌱 Eat Local, Feel Good

Eating fresh, locally grown produce isn’t just good for your health—it’s a powerful way to support your farmers, your community, and the planet. Whether you’re crunching on cucumbers, blending beets into smoothies, or smothering noodles in pesto, every bite is a step toward a more vibrant you.

Come visit us at Piedmont Fresh and pick up this week’s produce stars while they’re at their peak!