Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

MT. ULLA — It’s spring and with the season comes many plants all around to learn about. 

For the first time, Evans Family Farm will be hosting a spring plant walk, providing the opportunity to explore and learn how to identify common herbs and weeds that can benefit the body and soil and discuss, it was noted, their roles in soil health, biodiversity and even touch on folklore.

The walk, scheduled for May 3 at 2 p.m., will be held at the farm, 11180 NC 801, Mt. Ulla, and led by Amy Poirier and Ashley Ezell, members of the farm’s management team.

Ezell said this is their first ever plant walk, however, they hope to host these events seasonally in the future.

“We are super passionate about weeds (native plants), and the role they play in both agriculture and herbal use,” she said. “We have always wanted to host events that are focused on native plants, seasonal changes and similar themes. This season we just decided to go for it.”

Poirier owns and lives on farms in Rowan County and teaches agribusiness at Mitchell Community College. She holds a master’s degree in crop science and, in addition to teaching, is a weed scientist, agronomist and farmer.

On the farm’s Facebook page, it was noted that “she has a soft spot in her heart for “weeds” and native ecosystems and is a self-proclaimed “soil nerd.”

Ezell also owns and lives on a farm in the county and has 10-plus years experience in crafting herbal formulas and body care professionally. She is a self-taught herbalist and homesteader.

Also on the Facebook page telling about the event, it said that “she is 100 percent likely to give a stranger a weed bandaid for stings and scrapes in public.”

The local farm, which concentrates on regenerative and sustainable farming practices, has a wide range of native plants and grasses growing there.

Since the event will be held two weeks after the last expected frost, Ezell said the first plants of the season should be in full swing, and some plants, she said, will have flowers and bear fruit all summer.

She noted several that should be visible on the walk including elderberry which, she said, “we will be able to spot the leaves now, but the flowers won’t be in for a few more weeks.” 

Red clover is plentiful now, she added, along with dead nettle and sorrel and many more.

“It will be fun for us to see what is popping up too,” said Ezell. 

Those interested in participating in the plant walk should register and get tickets for the event, at a cost of $15, at app.barn2door.com/5mdPQ/all/eXjAO. Those registered by May 1 will receive a $10 credit to the farm store.

The walk is anticipated to be fun and educational. Those attending should bring a notebook or sketchbook and wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable as the terrain will be uneven.

Participants should meet on the front porch of the store and are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early, ready to walk, chat and connect.

When taking part in the event, Ezell said they “hope people will have the opportunity to step away from busy lives and into nature. Many of the small plants we will be looking at grow all around them everyday.”

She noted that her personal favorite “weed” is one called broadleaf plantain. And while it’s on the front of herbicide bottles, it makes an amazing bandage that stops stings from insect bites and stings. 

“I hope the walk will be a wonderful time to share what we know, learn from others, and step into nature,” said Ezell.