Forage Farm Opening in 2025

Located at 841 N. 1st. Street in historic DeFuniak Springs, Florida, KearceCrafted Forage Farm is owned and operated by Tammy and James Kearce and specializes in fruits, herbs, and hardwoods, Visitors are invited to forage and frolic on the 50 acre farm, which features miles of trails, a 15 acre wetland, and a wide variety of foragable crops. 

Wild blueberries, beauty berries, and muscadine abound, and although crops are not cultivated, they are cleared and pruned annually to enhance production and make harvesting easier. In a forage environment clearing and pruning is all that is required for maintenance and nourishment.

“Don’t even water any of it,” said Florida Forestry Representative, Edward O’Daniels. “Anything like that upsets its natural balance. Those plants have adapted over decades and, in some cases, centuries, to be exactly where they are. Leave them alone except to prune and clear the brush from around them. “ 

 The farm’s premier product is KSI, a green powder made from superfood fruits and herbs foraged on the farm and sold in powder form as well as in seasoning and tea blends.

KSI Powder

"Whatever you're eating," says Tammy Kearce,  "a pinch of KSI Green Powder will make it healthier by adding highly concentrated phytonutrients. It has no odor and doesn't change the taste." 

KSI Powder is a proprietary blend of seven species of berries as well as other foraged crops seasonally available on the farm. With interest in green powders growing exponentially, foraged superfoods are at the leading edge of health and nutrition. Since KearceCrafted Forage Farm offers both the experience of live foraging as well as products made of concentrated, foraged superfoods grown and processed on the farm, visitors can experience the product from the vine/bush/tree to their table in a single day and can enjoy those same phytonutrients daily in a powder, southern seasoning, or tea blend.

Other green powders offer organic ingredients, but market research shows that KSI is the only one using exclusively foraged ingredients with no filler. 

Foraged foods offer higher nutrient density and have significantly higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to their cultivated counterparts. This includes vitamins A, C, K, and various B vitamins. Berries and herbs are especially rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and lower the risk of chronic diseases. 

Wild foods have anti-inflammatory qualities that reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of conditions like arthritis and heart disease. Wild edibles also introduce different nutrients and fibers that support a healthy gut microbiome and are linked to improved overall health.

Foraged plants and herbs have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, and KSI continues that tradition by combining foraged superfoods in blends that supplement any diet and add concentrated phytonutrients to foods and drinks. 

KearceCrafted Superfood Infusion is a proprietary blend of 

Blueberry (Elliotts, rabbiteye, highbush, low bush, and swamp blueberries): Wild blueberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The antioxidants and polyphenols in wild blueberries improve heart health by reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving cholesterol levels. Compounds in wild blueberries have been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and reduce age-related decline in brain health.

Wild blueberries also contain nutrients that reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of inflammation-related diseases including arthritis, Alzheimer's and Parkinsons, IBS and Crohn's, asthma, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Scientific studies have shown that wild blueberries also improve insulin sensitivity and aid in managing blood sugar levels,

Antioxidants in wild blueberries protect the skin from UV damage, reduce signs of aging, and recent studies suggest that nutrients in wild blueberries contribute to bone health and skeletal strength.

Blackberry: High in vitamin C, wild blackberries help boost the immune system, supporting the body’s ability to fend off infections and illnesses. Blackberries also contain vitamin K and calcium, both of which are essential for maintaining strong bones and preventing bone loss. Wild blackberries, like blueberries, are loaded with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Antioxidants also help protect the skin from UV damage, and anti-inflammatory properties in wild blackberries promote heart health by improving cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. 

Wild blackberries are known to improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels, while other compounds found in blackberries help protect the brain from cognitive decline.

Beauty Berry (French mulberry): Used for centuries in traditional medicine, beauty berries are currently being studied as a superfood. Like blueberries and blackberries,  beauty berries contain antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress in the body, promoting overall health and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. Those same antioxidants contribute to skin health by protecting against UV damage and promoting a healthy complexion, while the antibacterial qualities of beauty berries inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacterium. (Could that be where they get the name "beauty berry?")

Beauty berries also have anti-inflammatory qualities that promote heart health, and improve cholesterol, while other nutrients such as vitamins C, A, K, and B Complex, bolster the immune system, fend off infections, and improve overall immune health. Minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc are also found in beauty berries, contributing to bone health and skeletal strength.

Wild muscadine: Recent research indicates that the antioxidants and phytochemicals present in wild muscadines inhibit cancer cell growth and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, specifically breast, colon, prostate, liver, and lung cancers. Studies on other types of cancers, including pancreatic and skin cancers, are currently underway. High concentrations of antioxidants such as resveratrol, ellagic acid, and flavonoids not only inhibit cancer cell growth but, in some cases, also induce the death (apoptosis) of cancer cells, 

Wild muscadines are rich in antioxidants, particularly resveratrol, vitamin C, and flavonoids, which protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease. The compounds in wild muscadines improve heart health by improving cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation, and enhancing blood vessel function. Resveratrol has been linked to lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health. Wild muscadines have also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels by influencing glucose metabolism directly and enhancing glucose uptake in cells,

Like wild berries, antioxidants in wild muscadine grapes also protect the skin from UV damage and other environmental stressors, contributing to overall skin health.

Wild Persimmon: Wild native American persimmons (Diospyros virginiana), are rich in nutrients, particularly vitamin A (important for vision and immune function) and vitamin C (essential for skin health and immune support) and are high in antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols that protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Compounds found in wild persimmons have anti-inflammatory effects, and recent studies suggest that wild persimmons also improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. Antioxidants in wild persimmons contribute to improved cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing overall heart disease risk. And, wild persimmons contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus important for maintaining strong bones and overall skeletal health.

St. Andrew’s Cross: Known for its medicinal properties, St. Andrew's Cross has been used traditionally for mood support. Like other Hypericum species (most notably St. John’s Wort), St. Andrew's Cross has mood-enhancing properties, which help alleviate symptoms of depression and/ or anxiety.

Compounds, such as hyperforin, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, and saponins, found in St. Andrew's Cross reduce inflammation and combat oxidative stress, protecting cells and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

KSI Green Powder is a concentration of all the ingredients listed above, ground into a fine powder that can be added to food and/ or drinks. KSI green powder includes leaves since phytonutrients are more concentrated in leaves than in fruit. One serving of a quarter teaspoon provides a healthy dose of phytonutrients, which boost energy, support immunity, and improve overall wellness.

KSI Black and Blue tea blend contains a proprietary blend of organic black tea, foraged blueberries (with leaves), foraged beauty berries, St. Andrews Cross, and KSI superfood infusion.

KSI Southern Spice Blend contains a proprietary blend of organic black pepper, red chili pepper, pink Himalayan salt, and KSI superfood infusion. 

Foraged foods offer higher nutrient density and have significantly higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to their cultivated counterparts. This includes vitamins A, C, K, and various B vitamins. Berries and herbs are especially rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and lower the risk of chronic diseases. 

Wild foods have anti-inflammatory qualities that reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of conditions like arthritis and heart disease. Wild edibles also introduce different nutrients and fibers that support a healthy gut microbiome and are linked to improved overall health.

Foraged plants and herbs have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes, and KSI continues that tradition by combining foraged superfoods in blends that supplement any diet and add concentrated phytonutrients to foods and drinks. 

KSI is available (January 2025) at The Yoga Garden Collective (48 Commerce Lane, Freeport Florida), local farmers’ markets, on-site distribution events, and online.  While available nationally via Etsy, it is primarily marketed along the northern Gulf Coast, since ingredients foraged locally have significant health benefits to those living in the area. Much like honey, locally foraged products contain environmental micronutrients, which help combat allergies and sensitivities related to environmental factors.