Newsletters: September-October 2009

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Local Spotlight-O'Toole's Herb Farm

Natural Times September/October 2009

By Sandy Beck

Shakespeare wrote, “The earth has music for those who listen.” This wisdom is engraved on a simple wood sign at O’Toole’s Herb Farm—the old 115-acre homestead, just a stone’s throw from downtown Madison.

Sitting at her kitchen table, Betty O’Toole, a wisp of a woman with sparkling blue eyes, recounted, “My great, great grandparents bought this property in 1840. In 1845, they built the house where I was born and raised. My family grew cotton, then shade tobacco and other crops. They also had the first registered cattle herd in the state.”

“B,” as her friends call her, graduated from FSU and later met the love of her life Jim “Toolie” O’Toole in Tallahassee, where they both lived and worked. In 1989, they moved to the farm.

Betty and Jim volunteered at Birdsong Nature Center where they learned the importance of good land stewardship.

“Birdsong made us aware that we could blow some fresh air into this place. I always loved to garden and had a passion for herbs, thanks to Donna Legare (co-owner of Native Nurseries). Donna helped us realize that we could grow crops that are both organic and profitable.”

In 1990, O’Toole’s became a certified organic farm that provided New Leaf Market and 12 local restaurants with fresh cut herbs, wild greens and shiitake mushrooms and nurseries with organic container plants.

“Native Nurseries and New Leaf Market have been the backbone of our business; Donna and Jean Crozier, New Leaf Market’s community outreach coordinator, are so supportive.”

In 1997, the O’Tooles moved one of “B’s” grandmother’s 1920s rental houses from downtown Madison to the farm and made it their home. Her brother has the original house now, and two other brothers live on land surrounding the farm. “All together, we have about 1,000 contiguous acres. We still have a farm,” said “B,” “but today it’s more of a garden. We sell container herb plants and perennials that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as shiitake mushrooms.

“We also host weddings, retreats and workshops on organic gardening. Chefs from wonderful, local restaurants—like Keith Baxter from Kool Beanz—come out here to do classes on organic cooking. And we have yoga classes on Friday mornings.”

We left the kitchen, accompanied by Lucy, a big, black dog. We strolled across the gently rolling farm—pausing to examine the shiitake mushroom logs and to appreciate the lovely Secret Garden, its pond alive with happy frogs. When “B” opened the door to a greenhouse where she propagates plants from seeds and cuttings, it was like lifting the lid on a huge pot of simmering, aromatic soup.

Quaint gift shops are located in two more old cracker houses that Betty and Jim moved to the farm. Browse through an eclectic assortment of herbal and organic products, gardening supplies and regional art here; or just rock on the porch and imagine a simpler, quieter time.

We continued to the main garden, The Patch, a special area that “B’s” grandfather once used as a seedbed. I followed her footsteps around the brick Labyrinth path, recently built to honor her husband.

“Jim passed away one and half years ago, but he’s still here. This never would have happened without his passion and compassion. We had a dream, and it came true.”

O’Toole’s Herb Farm, 305 Artemesia Trail, Madison, Florida. Open Thursday and Friday 9 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-4 pm. Directions and more information: www.otoolesherbfarm.com or 850-973-3629.

Look for O’Toole’s Fall Plant Sale, at the Co-op on Saturday, September 26, noon-3 pm.

O’Toole’s Herb Farm will participate in New Leaf Market’s Annual North Florida/South Georgia Farm Tour on October 24 & 25. See page 15 for details.

Meditation Yoga Retreat at O’Toole’s Herb Farm November 21 & 22. Space is limited; early registration is recommended.