Fancy Plants Farmstead: A Sisterhood in Bloom

Fancy Plants Farmstead: A Sisterhood in Bloom

What started as a shared love of gardening between sisters-in-law Sarah Shuman and Leslie Cash has grown into Fancy Plants Farmstead, a local flower and herb farm rooted in family, creativity, and community.

The idea for the farm came naturally. Already close friends and family, Sarah and Leslie enjoyed growing plants together and decided to turn their passion into a business. In 2022, they sold their first flowers and officially launched Fancy Plants Farmstead.

Today, they grow specialty flowers and culinary herbs, selling through local farmers markets and Piedmont Fresh. Sarah focuses on planning, flower production, and marketing, while Leslie brings creativity, bookkeeping expertise, and a love for experimentation. Their different strengths create a balanced partnership that keeps the farm thriving.

This winter, the pair invested in a greenhouse and flower storage improvements to extend their growing season and continue providing high-quality blooms to customers. Their flowers can be found at the Lexington Farmers Market, Midway Market, and through Piedmont Fresh subscriptions.

For Sarah and Leslie, flowers are about more than beauty—they help celebrate life's milestones, brighten difficult days, and connect people to locally grown products. Through their farm, they continue cultivating not only flowers, but also meaningful relationships with their customers and community.

“Flowers are an important part of all of our lives,” says Sarah. “They bring simple joy to everyday moments.”

Local Food Doesn't Have to Cost More

Local Food Doesn't Have to Cost More: New Research Challenges a Common Myth

One of the most common reasons people give for not purchasing local food is the belief that it costs significantly more than food found in grocery stores. However, new research from ASAP's Local Food Research Center is helping to challenge that perception.

In a recently released data brief, researchers compared prices at farmers markets and nearby retail stores throughout Western North Carolina. Their findings revealed that seasonal produce and local eggs often cost the same—or very close to the same—as comparable items found in grocery stores.

The study was inspired by findings from ASAP's 2025 "Why Buy Local?" consumer research report. That report found that 87% of consumers in Western North Carolina purchased local food products at least once per month. When asked why they chose local food, most shoppers cited their desire to support local farmers and strengthen their connection to the people who grow their food.

Despite this strong support for local agriculture, price remains a concern. Thirty-five percent of regular local food shoppers reported that cost prevented them from buying more local products. Among typical grocery shoppers, that number increased to 57%.

To better understand these perceptions, researchers conducted an environmental audit during the fall of 2025. The study examined 10 farmers markets and 13 nearby retail stores, comparing prices on seasonal food items while also evaluating how products were labeled, including information about variety, growing practices, and pricing.

The results suggest that many consumers may be overestimating the price difference between local and conventional foods. While some specialty items may carry a premium, many everyday staples—especially seasonal fruits, vegetables, and eggs—are competitively priced.

Beyond price, purchasing local food offers additional benefits. Local food dollars stay within the community, helping family farms remain viable, supporting local jobs, and strengthening regional food security. Consumers also gain greater transparency about where their food comes from and how it was produced.

For residents of Davidson County and surrounding communities, this research serves as an important reminder that shopping local can be both an investment in the community and a practical choice for household budgets. Whether visiting a farmers market, shopping through Piedmont Fresh, or purchasing directly from a local farm, consumers may find that fresh, locally grown food is more affordable than they think.

As the growing season continues, consider comparing prices for yourself. You may discover that supporting local farmers doesn't require spending more—it simply requires shopping closer to home.

Saving Seeds: Preserving Our Gardens, Our History, and Our Community

Saving Seeds: Preserving Our Gardens, Our History, and Our Community

Every garden has a story, and sometimes that story begins with a single seed.

Long before seed catalogs and garden centers, families carefully saved seeds from their healthiest plants to ensure another successful harvest the following year. Today, that tradition is making a comeback. Seed saving is more than a way to save money. It's an opportunity to preserve biodiversity, protect locally adapted plants, and pass along treasured varieties for generations to come.

One of the most cherished plants to save seeds from is the heirloom tomato.

Unlike many modern hybrid tomatoes bred for uniform size and shipping, heirloom tomatoes have often been grown and shared by families for decades or even centuries. These unique varieties are known for their incredible flavors, vibrant colors, unusual shapes, and rich history. Many have been passed down through generations, carrying family stories alongside their seeds.

By saving heirloom tomato seeds, gardeners help preserve valuable genetic diversity that strengthens our food system and protects varieties that may otherwise disappear. Every seed saved is a small investment in the future of local agriculture.

Getting Started with Seed Saving

Seed saving doesn't have to be complicated. Start by selecting healthy, open-pollinated plants and allowing the fruits or seed pods to fully mature before harvesting. Once collected, clean the seeds if needed, allow them to dry completely, and store them in a labeled envelope or airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Some of the easiest plants for beginners include:

• Tomatoes (especially heirloom varieties)

• Beans

• Peas

• Lettuce

• Peppers

• Herbs

• Sunflowers

• Zinnias and other annual flowers

Before long, you'll have seeds ready to grow next season or to share with fellow gardeners.

Growing Community Through Seed Sharing

Seed saving isn't just about gardening. It's about community.

Across Davidson County, there are wonderful opportunities to connect with other gardeners, exchange seeds, and learn new skills.

The Thomasville Public Library hosts a quarterly Houseplant Exchange & Seed Swap, where community members can bring indoor plants, seeds, or cuttings to share while meeting fellow plant enthusiasts. Whether you're an experienced collector or just beginning your plant journey, everyone is welcome.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension of Davidson County and the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers also offer a variety of educational opportunities throughout the year. Their free Extension Gardening Classes cover topics such as:

• Vegetable Gardening

• Healthy Lawns

• Home Fruits

• Woody & Herbaceous Ornamentals

• Soils, Fertilizers & Compost

• Pest Management

These research-based classes are designed for gardeners of all experience levels and provide practical knowledge you can use at home.

Learn Seed Saving Hands-On This Month

Looking to dive deeper into seed saving?

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is offering a Beginner Seed Saving Workshop at the Elma C. Lomax Research and Education Farm.

Participants will:

• Learn the fundamentals of seed saving

• Tour the research and education farm

• Participate in a hands-on workshop harvesting and cleaning tomato seeds

• Learn about the OSPREY Seed Yield Trial Project

• Hear from Lomax Farm Manager Dylan Alexander

🌱 Beginner Seed Saving Workshop

📅 Tuesday, June 30
🕓 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Elma C. Lomax Research and Education Farm
💲 Registration: $10

Whether you're a home gardener, market grower, or simply interested in preserving heirloom varieties, this workshop is a great opportunity to build your skills while supporting sustainable agriculture.

Register and learn more:
https://carolinafarmstewards.org/event/beginner-seed-saving/

Every Seed Has a Story

When you save a seed, you're doing more than preparing for next year's garden. You're preserving the flavor of a family-favorite heirloom tomato. You're protecting plant diversity for future generations. You're sharing knowledge with neighbors, supporting local agriculture, and becoming part of a tradition that has connected gardeners for centuries.