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Fort Valley State Extension hosts herbal workshop in Macon County
Posted on Apr 24, 2026
Amber Jackson, owner of Amber’s Herbals, makes a point during The Herbalist Talks Workshop Series in Oglethorpe, Georgia, on April 1.
Local farmers and gardeners looking to “spice up” their health using natural herbs traveled to Oglethorpe, Georgia, for a workshop sponsored by Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Cooperative Extension.
The first edition of The Herbalist Talks Workshop Series was conducted at the Macon County Extension Office on April 1. More than 25 people attended the event themed “Herbs and Edible Backyard Plants.”
Some topics of discussion included “Herbs: What they are and how they are used” and “How to find and identify local herbal plants.”
Terrence Lewis, FVSU agent for Macon County, stated that many individuals have numerous plants surrounding them, yet are unaware of their potential health benefits.
“The utilization of herbs for alleviating certain ailments has become a largely forgotten practice. Our grandparents frequently relied on plants to self-medicate. Therefore, I strongly believed a workshop was necessary to educate people on the medicinal properties of plants that may be growing in their own yards,” Lewis explained.
Furthermore, the Macon County Extension agent emphasized his desire for workshop participants to gain a deeper appreciation for the value of herbs.
“While aesthetically pleasing, yards are certainly desirable; it is equally important to recognize that some plants we consider weeds may possess properties that could provide relief from various health issues,” Lewis said.
Additionally, Lewis stated that the use of herbs is not meant to replace pharmaceuticals but can play a preventive role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Amber Jackson, owner of Amber’s Herbals and co-owner of the Hazy Daisy Farm in Hawkinsville, Georgia, served as the guest speaker. She said she has been growing herbs for more than 10 years but increased her efforts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve always been interested in plants. After starting my garden, I found out I was good at growing herbs. After plants started growing, I asked, ‘What am I going to do with all of these herbs?’ So, I began doing some research, learned about all the medicinal properties in them and started from there,” she said.
Moreover, Jackson said people should refrain from using pesticides on plants and weeds in their yards because they may contain healthy ingredients.
“It’s very important we relearn that our food and medicine originally came from plants,” Jackson said. She also cautioned that one should do their research because some plants may not be healthy.
Subsequently, Jackson said she would once again collaborate with FVSU Extension in putting on another herbal workshop. “This is what I’m passionate about. I love talking about plants and educating people on herbs,” she said.
Nikki Thompson, a native of Andersonville, Georgia, said she attended the workshop because she wants to utilize herbs in keeping her family healthy. “I have an herb garden and lots of plants at home. I also wanted to find different uses for the same herbs, along with some new ones,” she said.
Furthermore, Thompson said she would attend more FVSU-sponsored workshops in Macon County due to the proximity to her home.
“The programs and information are free of charge, so why not come?” Thompson said. She also recommended that others interested in growing herbs attend future workshops because plants grow everywhere, and people should learn how to use them.
For more information on future herbal workshops, contact Lewis at (478) 472-7588 or lewist@fvsu.edu.
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