We Not Me Farms Ministries

08/14/2026

What Grew Outside Was Once the Medicine Cabinet
Old Florida Herbal Remedies and the Knowledge We Nearly Forgot

Before pharmacies, supermarkets, and modern conveniences, the land around a Florida home could provide far more than food and shade.
Plants growing in gardens, forests, and even along the roadside became teas, household remedies, insect repellents, wound treatments, and traditions passed from one generation to another.
Some worked. Some were folklore. And some could be downright dangerous.
But together they reveal something we've largely forgotten: our homes once extended far beyond the walls of the house.
Come explore Old Florida Herbal Remedies — What Grew Outside Was Once the Medicine Cabinet.
www.gothicdustdiaries.com/blog/what-grew-outside-was-once-the-medicine-cabinet
https://substack.com/profile/536018748-rita-kartalyan/note/c-314714848?r=8v4qpo&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web

What Grew Outside Was Once the Medicine Cabinet Old Florida Herbal Remedies and the Knowledge We Nearly Forgot Long before pharmacies stood on every corner and medicine arrived in neatly labeled bottles, people often looked much closer to home for help. Sometimes, they simply stepped outside. Florid...

08/08/2026

Forgotten Wisdom from the Garden

Long before chemical pesticides lined store shelves, generations of gardeners relied on simple observations that passed from one family to the next. One such tradition involved placing freshly cut branches from certain trees among garden plants to help discourage insects.
Was it superstition... or science?
As it turns out, there is some truth behind the practice.
Fresh branches from trees such as Eastern Red Cedar release aromatic oils that can mildly repel certain insects, while companion planting with herbs like basil, rosemary, garlic, and flowers such as marigolds has long been recognized as an effective, natural way to reduce garden pests.
Perhaps the greatest lesson isn't about a single branch at all.
It's a reminder that many of the old ways weren't based on expensive products — they were built on patience, observation, and learning from the world around us.
Sometimes the newest solution isn't really new...
Sometimes it's remembering what our grandparents already knew.
🌱 Nature has always been one of our greatest teachers.

Before you go...
If you would like to make a positive difference, please consider supporting We Not Me Farms Ministries, a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Every donation directly supports the ministry's charitable mission, and a receipt is provided for your records.
Stories preserve the past. Kindness shapes the future.
Homes build communities. Kindness strengthens them.
Facebook Donate Link
https://hpp.na.elavonpayments.com?pl=6g7jcxr786jm372vprff77phhjt6



Published: GDD • WNM • RE • FB • LI • SS • GOOGLE

08/06/2026

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
I'm excited to share the launch of my new Substack!
While many of my articles will also appear on my websites, Substack gives readers an easy way to follow my work in one place. If you enjoy stories about real estate, history, forgotten places, travel, and the people who shaped them, I invite you to subscribe and have future articles delivered directly to your inbox.
My very first post, Every Place Has a Story, can be found at: kartalhomes.substack.com
https://kartalhomes.substack.com/p/every-place-has-a-story?r=8v4qpo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
EVERY PLACE HAS A STORY - Today, I shared mine.

08/05/2026

What People Get Wrong About Farming

When most people think of farming, they imagine rows of vegetables, peaceful mornings, and the satisfaction of harvesting food from the land.
There is certainly beauty in that picture.
But it isn't the whole story.
Farming is demanding. It requires long hours, constant learning, physical labor, and the ability to adapt when weather, equipment, or circumstances refuse to cooperate. Crops can fail. Animals require care every single day. There are no weekends for those responsible for the land and the lives that depend on it.
Yet despite those challenges, farming offers something that is becoming increasingly rare in today's world: purpose.
At We Not Me Farms Ministries, our vision extends beyond growing fruits and vegetables. We believe a farm can become a place where people find dignity through meaningful work, discover practical skills, build friendships, and experience the healing that often comes from working with the land.
A seed planted in the ground does not grow overnight. Neither does a stronger community.
Both require patience, commitment, and faith.
The food we hope to grow one day is important, but the people who will grow alongside it are even more important.
For us, farming is not simply about agriculture.
It is about creating opportunities, restoring hope, and reminding people that every life has value.
The harvest we look forward to most isn't measured only in baskets of produce.
It's measured in lives changed.

Before you go...
If you would like to make a positive difference, please consider supporting We Not Me Farms Ministries, a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Every donation directly supports the ministry's charitable mission, and a receipt is provided for your records.
Stories preserve the past. Kindness shapes the future.
Homes build communities. Kindness strengthens them.
Facebook Donate Link
https://hpp.na.elavonpayments.com?pl=6g7jcxr786jm372vprff77phhjt6

07/30/2026

Building a Mission Together
https://youtube.com/shorts/wQ0M59CRNmg
We Not Me Farms Ministries was never intended to be just another nonprofit. Our vision is to build a sustainable network of thrift stores that funds chemical-free farming, community outreach, and long-term ministry without relying solely on donations.
We know where we're going.
What we're looking for are people who believe in that vision and have the skills to help us get there.
In this video, Kurt shares why leadership isn't always about sitting behind a keyboard—it's about building relationships, leading from the front, and surrounding yourself with people whose strengths complement your own.
If you're experienced in technology, fundraising, digital marketing, or online growth and are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.
We believe in rewarding results. If you can help grow the mission and generate support, we'll gladly share in that success. We're looking for partners who are willing to build something lasting—not just fill a position.
Together, we can create a self-sustaining ministry that serves communities for generations.
Interested in helping build something bigger than yourself? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us to learn how you can become part of the mission.
Don't forget to like, follow and share to grow with us. Every share helps us reach someone new.
DONATE
https://hpp.na.elavonpayments.com?pl=6g7jcxr786jm372vprff77phhjt6

Don't forget to like, follow and share to grow with us. Every share helps us reach someone new.

07/29/2026

Journal Entry – A Closed Door and New Possibilities
For the past several weeks, Kurt and I have been pursuing the possibility of leasing a 1,800-square-foot storefront that we believed would provide a practical starting point for the ministry and thrift store. Although it wasn't the perfect location, it offered an affordable opportunity to begin generating income while establishing a community presence.
Today, we learned that the building has been sold. While the listing agent had previously indicated that the owner was unavailable, we now know that the property was in the process of being sold to a new owner. The new owner's plans reportedly include developing the building into an antique mall, making it unlikely that the space will be available for lease. Kurt has reached out to introduce himself and explore whether any opportunity might still exist, but we recognize that the chances are slim given the buyer's vision for the property.
Although this particular opportunity appears to have come to an end, it does not change our long-term mission. If anything, it reminds us that finding the right home for the ministry requires patience as well as persistence. We continue to explore other properties that may better support not only the thrift store but also the broader vision of creating a place where ministry, community outreach, and future growth can come together.
Every closed door encourages us to look more carefully at the ones still waiting to be opened. Rather than becoming discouraged, we are choosing to view this as another step in the journey. The right location is still out there, and we remain committed to finding it.

Don't forget to like, follow and share to grow with us. Every share helps us reach someone new.

If you wish to donate please hit the link below….. Thank you
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07/15/2026

Simple Does not Mean Lacking....

07/11/2026

07-11-2026 Spanish Moss - Old Man's Beard
Legends, Ghosts, and the Truth Behind the South's Most Mysterious Plant
It hangs like ghostly curtains from centuries-old oaks, draping forgotten cemeteries, winding country roads, and quiet Southern towns. Some say it's the beard of a murdered man. Others believe it is the hair of a heartbroken maiden. Hollywood has turned it into a symbol of haunted plantations and restless spirits.
But here's the twist...
Spanish moss isn't Spanish.
And it isn't moss.
So, what is it?
Let's separate folklore from fact while exploring one of the South's most mysterious plants.
www.kartal.homes/blog/spanish-moss-old-mans-beard
WNM https://youtube.com/shorts/lkdnqtjY-ag
Don’t forget to like follow and share for more……

07/01/2026

Journal Entry: Are You Ready for Nothing More Than $5?
Every journey begins with a single step, and today feels like one of those exciting moments.
We recently submitted an offer on an approximately 1,800-square-foot storefront in Panacea, Florida that we hope will become the future home of the **We Not Me Farms Community Thrift Store**. The initial response has been encouraging, and tomorrow we'll be meeting with county officials to make sure everything aligns with zoning and operational requirements before moving forward.
Nothing is final just yet—but we're optimistic.
Our vision has always been bigger than opening another thrift store. We want to create a place where affordable shopping, community support, and giving back all come together under one roof.
And yes... we're serious.
**Nothing in the thrift store will be priced higher than $5.00.**
That's our goal.
Whether someone is furnishing a home, stretching a tight budget, or simply enjoys discovering hidden treasures, we want our shelves to be filled with affordable finds that truly serve the community.
There's still plenty of work ahead, but we're excited to share this milestone with you. Thank you for following our journey and encouraging us every step of the way.
Stay tuned... the adventure is just beginning. We Not Me