Store shares passion for nature

    As the holidays approach, finding special and interesting gifts can be a struggle. Just outside of Milledgeville, there is a very special place that offers a vast selection of natural and handmade gift items for anyone at very reasonable prices. Olive Forge Herb Farm, ran by Darryl and Marsha Herren, is a little haven set back in the woods, away from the city noises and surrounded by the intoxicating ambiance of nature.
    The Herrens built their house with the small shop attached to it back in the early 80’s.
    “We brought every stick here and put them together,” Marsha said.
    The house and shop together creates a cozy little cabin with lots of character.
    To get to the front door visitors must walk past the historical Shakespeare garden and under the archway donned with holiday holly. All the while, visitors walking past hundreds of specific plants used by the Herrens for various herbal products and remedies.
    Inside the shop there are over 35 different vendors who have such items as handmade crafts, pottery, ironwork and art on consignment alongside the specialty herbal teas, soaps, candles, cooking products and spa products made by the Herrens at their home.
    “Everything herbs, we do,” explained Marsha.
    Olive Forge is a licensed greenhouse for the plants and herbal products sold there. The farm specializes in not only herbs, but also plants known for fragrant qualities and historical significance.
    The gardens at the farm are a destination for an afternoon getaway during peak seasonal times in the spring and fall. The winter holiday time is great time to visit the farm to appreciate the year’s harvest.
    This Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Olive Forge will be hosting its thirteenth annual open house event. Visitors can sample food like chili, mulled cider, rosemary cake, pumpkin nut bread and “Darryl’s famous oatmeal cookies” all prepared by the Herrens. There will also be live Christmas music played by friends of Olive Forge. The Herrens are friendly folk inviting visitors into their home and cozy shop: “if the gate’s open, we’re here.”
    They started their business in 1994 after becoming bored with their early retirement. Always having had an interest in botany, they decided to open their own business seeking to share their passion with others. Marsha said that they like to do their “work” because its something they love doing.
    The Herrens are alums of GCSU, and Marsha explained how she came to school the year after it shifted from being an all women’s college to coeducational. Dr. Harriett Whipple had a hand in teaching the Herrens some of the knowledge of plants they now have. Whipple still teaches at GCSU and even took her plant systematics class out to Olive Forge for a hands-on learning experience this semester. Whipple still teaches from the same textbook she used when the Herrens were learning about the basics of plant identification. The Herren’s connection to GCSU lingers on as more and more college students are finding out about the unique experience that the Olive Forge Herb Farm offers.
    They are excited about this weekend’s open house event and hope to have a great turn out and meet new people.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 30 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry