Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Smith
Hi Danielle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Carolina Holistic Tea Farm began as more than just a business—it was the result of a deeply personal journey. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to nature and its incredible ability to nourish, heal, and restore balance in our lives. But it wasn’t until 2020 that I truly began to explore this passion in depth. Like so many people, I was searching for a way to support my family’s health naturally, without relying on synthetic medications or quick fixes. That search led me to herbal medicine, and what started as curiosity quickly became a calling.
Determined to deepen my knowledge, I dedicated myself to studying herbal remedies, plant-based healing, and holistic wellness. In 2021, I earned my Diploma in Herbal Medicine from the Centre of Excellence, and with that achievement came a realization—I didn’t just want to learn about herbs, I wanted to grow them, nurture them, and share their benefits with others. With the support of my family, we began transforming our land into a place where organic, high-quality herbs could thrive. Every plant we grew had a purpose, every leaf was harvested with intention, and every blend was crafted with care. That same year, Carolina Holistic Tea Farm was born, rooted in a commitment to quality, sustainability, and the belief that nature provides everything we need for wellness.
What started as a personal journey has since blossomed into something much greater. Today, our farm is a place where we cultivate pure, organic herbs, handcrafting tea blends that nourish the body and soothe the soul. But more than that, it’s a space where we share knowledge, connect with our community, and help others embrace the power of herbal wellness in their own lives.
“We believe in honoring the earth while creating teas that truly support the body’s natural functions,” I always say. “Each herb is grown, air-dried, and blended with care to maintain its healing properties.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting Carolina Holistic Tea Farm was a dream come true, but it was also one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. When I first began, I thought growing herbs would be the easy part—I quickly learned that plants have minds of their own. Each herb has unique needs, from the type of soil it prefers to how much sun and water it requires. Some thrived effortlessly, while others withered despite my best efforts. I spent countless hours researching, testing, and adjusting my approach, but in the beginning, I killed far more plants than I successfully grew. There were moments of deep frustration, wondering if I would ever get it right. But every failure taught me something valuable, and over time, I started to understand the delicate balance of soil health, climate conditions, and sustainable growing methods.
Even as I improved my skills as an herbal grower, another major challenge loomed—money. The reality of starting a farm hit hard when I realized just how expensive everything was. Seeds, organic soil, irrigation systems, drying racks, packaging materials, and marketing costs all required an investment, and there was no big financial cushion to fall back on. Finding the startup capital was a constant struggle, forcing me to be incredibly resourceful. I took things one step at a time, making small investments when I could, repurposing materials, and learning how to do as much as possible with as little as possible. Winning a monetary award from the SC ACRE Program in 2021 was a game changer, helping me move forward when funds were tight, but even with that boost, every dollar had to be stretched.
Then came the biggest challenge of all—managing everything on my own. I had envisioned myself spending my days in the garden, lovingly tending to herbs, but the reality was that running a small herbal tea farm meant wearing a dozen different hats at once. I wasn’t just a farmer—I had to be a business owner, a marketing expert, a product developer, and a sales strategist all at the same time. The work didn’t stop after growing and harvesting the herbs. I had to air-dry them properly, de-stem and process them carefully, blend them into teas, and package them beautifully—all while figuring out how to actually sell them.
Marketing was another mountain to climb. I knew that having high-quality, organic herbal teas wasn’t enough; people had to know about them. Learning how to build an online presence, create engaging content, and connect with potential customers was overwhelming at first. I had to teach myself social media marketing, website design, photography, and customer engagement strategies—skills I never thought I’d need as a farmer. There were days when I felt completely drained, wondering if I was in over my head.
Through all the struggles—failed crops, financial stress, long hours, and the constant learning curve—I kept going. Every challenge taught me resilience, creativity, and adaptability. There were moments of doubt, but there were also small victories that reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Today, looking back, I see how those struggles shaped Carolina Holistic Tea Farm into what it is now—a business built on passion, persistence, and a deep respect for nature’s healing power.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Creating herbal teas at Carolina Holistic Tea Farm is something I truly pour my heart into. It’s not just about farming or making tea—it’s a deeply personal process that combines my love for nature with my passion for holistic wellness. Every step, from growing each plant to carefully crafting each tea blend, is a reflection of my commitment to quality, sustainability, and the healing power of nature.
It all begins with researching each herb—getting to know their medicinal properties and how they interact with the body. I’ve spent countless hours studying how different herbs work together to create synergistic effects that bring the most benefit. Whether I’m learning how chamomile calms the mind or how ginger soothes digestion, it’s important to understand the unique role each plant plays in supporting wellness. Each herb is carefully chosen for its healing potential, and when I blend them, I aim to combine them in a way that supports both the body and the spirit.
The next step is all about growing the herbs—which, I quickly learned, isn’t as simple as just planting seeds. Every herb has its own personality and needs, and I’ve spent years learning how to care for them properly. Harvesting each plant at its peak—when its medicinal properties are at their strongest—is a true art. It takes time, patience, and a real understanding of what the land is telling me. I make sure to approach every aspect of farming with sustainability at the forefront, ensuring that we’re not only nurturing our plants but also being responsible stewards of our ecosystem. The health of the land and the balance of nature are crucial to everything we do, and I strive to work in harmony with the earth to cultivate healthy, thriving herbs while minimizing our impact on the environment.
Once harvested, the herbs must be carefully dried, which is another step that requires real attention. Too much heat or moisture can strip away their healing power, so I make sure each herb is air-dried in the best possible conditions. I love seeing the plants transform during this process—how vibrant the colors become and how the smell of the herbs deepens. It’s like capturing a piece of nature’s magic to hold onto.
Then comes the time-consuming, yet crucial, step of de-stemming the herbs by hand. I take my time with this because it’s about more than just preparing the herbs for blending—it’s about ensuring that I’m using only the purest, most potent parts of each plant. When I blend, I don’t just think about flavor, though it’s important—I also think about how the herbs work together to support the body. Every blend I create is intentional, a combination of healing properties, balanced flavors, and a deep respect for the herbs.
To me, this whole process is more than just “making tea”—it’s an art form. It’s about honoring the plants, preserving their medicinal power, and creating something that truly nourishes. Each blend I craft has its own story, its own purpose, and my hope is that every cup of tea I create brings comfort, healing, and a deeper connection to nature, all while being mindful of our impact on the earth. At Carolina Holistic Tea Farm, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, from the way we grow our herbs to the way we operate our farm. It’s about being good stewards of the land and giving back to the environment that gives so much to us.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many meaningful ways you can support Carolina Holistic Tea Farm, and it truly means the world to me. The most direct way is by purchasing our handcrafted, organic herbal teas. Every cup you enjoy not only supports our mission but also helps us continue to grow and care for the plants with love and intention. Your purchase is a step toward supporting quality, sustainability, and wellness—values that we hold close to our hearts. Sharing our story with your friends, family, or on social media also makes such a difference. It’s amazing how word of mouth can help spread the message about the healing power of herbs and the work we do here. If you’d like to connect with us more deeply, you can visit the farm to pick up your order, where you can see firsthand the care and effort we put into every plant we grow. Every form of support—whether it’s buying our teas, sharing about us, or simply learning more about our work—helps us thrive and allows us to continue offering natural, holistic wellness to the community. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolinaholisticfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinaholisticteafarm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinaholisticfarm
- Other: https://agriculture.sc.gov/agritourism-farms/carolina-holistic-farm-llc/
