Ron Evans Jr’s Living Classroom of Healing, Food, and Self-Sufficiency

I recently had the opportunity to walk through something remarkable in Jacksonville, Florida—an environment cultivated with intention, discipline, and a level of knowledge that caught me off guard. Ron Evans Jr. didn’t just grow plants. He created a living classroom where every leaf has a purpose, every plant has a history, and every part of the ecosystem contributes to life, nourishment, and healing.

From the moment Ron began speaking, I realized I was dealing with someone whose understanding of nature runs far deeper than simply planting and watering. He could point to anything around us and immediately tell me whether it was medicinal, edible, cleansing, pollinator-friendly, or soil-building. And he spoke about it all with the same level of ease most of us use to recite our favorite songs.

What impressed me even more was how fast he processed information. At one point, Ron told me exactly how many days it had been since it rained in his city—faster than I could open my weather app. He stores water, tracks weather patterns, monitors plant cycles, and maintains an environment that feels alive in every direction.

Inspired by Crisis, Rooted in Family

When I asked Ron where this passion came from, he didn’t hesitate.

“It started during the pandemic,” he said, “but really, it came from my grandmother. She taught me early.”

Like many people during that uncertain time, Ron recognized the importance of self-reliance. But unlike most, he didn’t dabble—he committed. The result is an environment built with purpose, where plants aren’t used just because they look nice. They are selected for what they do.

And that level of intention comes directly from the lessons his grandmother poured into him growing up. The pandemic may have activated the urgency, but the foundation was already inside him.

A Harvest That Says Everything

This past holiday season, Ron produced over 100 pounds of sweet potatoes. That number alone tells you the level of skill he brings to his work. He showed me some of the remaining roots still in the soil, and the way he moved through the vines told me everything I needed to know—this is someone whose knowledge is practiced, not memorized.

He treats the soil with respect, understands root health, and chooses crops that feed both people and the ecosystem around them.

Plants With a Purpose, Not Just a Name

Walking through Ron’s space felt like reading a book—except he was the author, the editor, and the teacher all at once. Some of the plants he grows include:

Moringa

Often called the “Tree of Life,” packed with nutrients, anti-inflammatory properties, and natural energy. Ron uses it as a daily health tool.

Turmeric

A vibrant root used for immunity, inflammation, joint support, and natural healing. Ron pulled fresh turmeric straight from the ground to show me.

Shampoo Ginger

One of the most unique plants I saw. When squeezed, it produces a natural liquid used to wash hair and skin—completely chemical-free.

Loquat

A fruit-bearing tree with leaves used to support respiratory health. Ron explained how the leaves help with coughs and overall lung function.

A plant many people mislabel as a weed. In reality, it’s medicinal and one of the most powerful pollinator plants in Florida.

Lemongrass, Basil, Sugar Cane, and More

Herbs for cooking, plants for tea, natural remedies, and crops that attract bees and butterflies.

Every single plant serves a purpose. Nothing is random. Nothing is wasted.

A Self-Sufficient Ecosystem That Works Together

One of the most impressive elements of Ron’s system is how everything supports everything else. He raises chickens, and they play a major role—fertilizing the soil, aerating the ground, breaking down organic matter, and contributing to a natural cycle of growth.

The plants attract bees and birds, the birds keep pests under control, and the entire area functions as a complete, self-sustaining ecosystem.

It’s not just growing food. It’s building balance. And that level of harmony takes real intention, real study, and real consistency.

Ron’s Mission Is Bigger Than the Space He Cultivates

What moved me the most wasn’t the plants it was Ron’s purpose. He doesn’t want to keep this knowledge to himself. He wants to teach people:

• How to grow their own food

• How to understand medicinal plants

• How to store water

• How to build resilience

• How to reconnect with the natural world

And he isn’t stopping with adults. Ron has already begun writing children’s stories to introduce kids to plants, nature, and self-sufficiency early in life. His hope is that the next generation won’t be disconnected from the earth the way so many of us have become.

Walking Away Inspired

Being in Ron Evans Jr.’s growing space was something I’ll never forget. I left there with a deeper respect for nature and a deeper respect for the discipline it takes to work with it.

His passion is unmatched, his knowledge is rare, and his commitment to teaching others is powerful. Ron is creating more than a garden—he’s creating a blueprint for self-sufficiency, health, and community.

And the world needs more of that.