Limited time offer available on select Orchard cabins - secure your new home now!
Limited time offer available on select Orchard cabins - secure your new home now!
The Farm at Okefenokee is a regenerative farming residential community and resort that offers sustainably built, luxury cypress cabins amid expansive gardens and green spaces, emphasizing connection to nature, community, education and sustainable living.
The Farm is in southeast Georgia near the small town of Folkston about 60 miles north of Jacksonville, Fla., and 120 miles southwest of Savannah, Ga. It’s a five-hour drive from Atlanta. Our address is 857 Hamp Chesser Rd., Folkston, GA 31537.
Once we achieve full occupancy, The Farm may consider non-owner membership.
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) defines agrihoods as “single-family, multifamily or mixed-use communities built with a working farm or community garden as a focus.”
While The Farm at Okefenokee embraces the foundational principles of an agrihood, it goes far beyond the conventional definition to create an extraordinary living experience. Our community is a regenerative farming residential haven, designed not just around a working farm but with a deep commitment to sustainability, wellness and education. Here’s how we exceed typical agrihood offerings:
In essence, The Farm at Okefenokee is not just a place to live but a lifestyle choice that embodies connection to nature, sustainable practices and a thriving community spirit. We are committed to redefining what it means to live in harmony with the land and each other, offering an unparalleled experience that transcends the typical agrihood model.
Residents can contribute as much or as little to our operations as they like – there is no expectation of participation; however, for those who want to “get their hands dirty,” the opportunities are boundless.
The Farm is home to more than 250 crop varieties managed by full-time farmers. A wide selection of heirloom (non-GMO) fruits and vegetables are grown here including grapes, olives, berries, pears, citrus fruits, mahaws, figs, carrots and many others. We also have pecans, chestnuts, sugar cane, and nearly a 1,000 bee hives that produce some of the most delicious honey you can find.
Our heritage animals come in all shapes and sizes including Belgian horses, working mules, Pineywoods cattle, Meishan pigs, Barbados Blackbelly sheep, Bourbon Red turkeys, African geese, chickens (Brahma, Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red) and more.
The Farm at Okefenokee features sustainably-built luxury cypress cabins, energy-efficient designs, gas appliances (with backup generators) and water-efficient fixtures. It promotes eco-friendly living with native landscaping, on-site recycling and composting, and access to shared electric vehicle charging stations. Our community emphasizes regenerative farming practices, providing nutrient-rich, locally grown produce and fostering a deep connection to nature and sustainable living.
Yes, the first step is to purchase a homesite (“lot”). These properties are being released using a phased approach and we’re currently selling lots in our second Village called The Orchard. The first phase, The Standing Gardens, is sold out. If you have not done so already, please visit the “Villages” tab and check out The Orchard, which includes the site plan detailing the lots, along with an overview of the amenities. Orchard properties (lot and cabin) range from $485,000 to $1.25 million.
Once you have selected your lot, it is time to select your cabin. And, while there is not a time requirement on when one must begin construction, we do recommend that you do so immediately so that you can begin enjoying life on The Farm. Under the “Villages” tab, you will find links to all the cabin options available at The Orchard. The exteriors of our cabins have been thoughtfully designed to create a warm, inviting and casual feel. The large porches welcome visitors and provide the perfect perch for viewing animals, agricultural activities and natural landscapes.
For construction, we utilize local, sustainably sourced cypress, which can be seen inside and out. The cypress, along with the Galvalume metal roof, create a superior thermal barrier, while the community roads, walkways, and lots embody the most sustainable levels of design and construction available. When all these elements are combined (plan, infrastructure, and construction), these cabins boast one of the lightest environmental footprints available.
A total of 250 sustainably-built cabins are planned for six neighborhoods spanning 1,000 acres. The first phase, our Standing Gardens, is sold out with cabins currently under construction; lots are now available in our second phase: The Orchard. Other future phases include: The Pasture, The Rookery, The Equine Village, and The Grove.
We work with qualified builders, including some Amish craftsmen who bring traditional building expertise to our cabin construction.
For The Orchard, there are four cabins from which to choose, with custom specifications available for each. For example, The Mayhaw and The Barbados offer the flexibility of enclosing the back porch for an additional bedroom.
All of our cabin designs prize efficiency in favor of environmental and financial sustainability, while simultaneously maintaining a luxurious openness and feel. Each floor plan can be configured in many ways providing the perfect scenario for all types of living and entertaining.
Floorplans can be customized, however, in some cases, depending on the complexity of the change, additional charges or fees may be required for engineering, architectural and permitting modifications.
Cabin prices start at $360 per square foot. For example, the Barbados II has a base price of $600,000 for 1,665 conditioned square feet.
Yes, we have model homes available for touring, including the nearly complete Barbados model. To schedule a tour of the cabins and/or The Farm lifestyle experience, email info@okefarm.com.
We do not provide financing; however, we have relationships with several local banks who are familiar with The Farm and have competitive packages to serve our buyers.
Yes, absolutely! At The Farm, we embrace modern payment methods and offer flexible options for purchasing your new lot and cabin. We have established partnerships with BitPay and Abra to facilitate these transactions seamlessly.
Through our partnership with BitPay, you can use bitcoin, along with 100+ other cryptocurrencies to easily complete your purchase. This process is designed to be secure and straightforward, ensuring a smooth transaction.
For those looking to maintain their bitcoin investments, our collaboration with Abra allows you to borrow against your bitcoin holdings. This means you can fund your purchase without liquidating your assets, providing a unique financial solution that keeps your cryptocurrency investment intact. We encourage you to explore these innovative payment options to find the one that best suits your needs. Our team is here to assist you with any questions and guide you through the process to make your transaction as smooth as possible.
No, this will not qualify as a USDA loan.
Cabin owners will be responsible for all upkeep of their cabins, garages, decks/walkways, porches and appurtenant structures. The lots, however, have been designed and constructed as environmentally sensitive areas and will remain in their native, natural conditions (such as meadow or pasture) or, in other specific cases, the lots may be designed as open spaces (orchards); however, in all cases the lots will be maintained, as necessary, by the Farm Owners Association.
Your cabin at The Farm can be purchased as a second home and/or a vacation home. We have an onsite property management group that will meticulously take care of your home including rentals, bookings, cleanings and maintenance; however, the minimum rental term is one year.
As a cabin owner, you have fee-simple ownership of your platted, subdivided residential lot. The lot is subject to The Farm’s governing documents.
The Farm has a monthly Farm Owners Association (FOA) fee of $150. This fee includes the essential maintenance of The Farm including oversight of roads, ponds and other infrastructure.
There’s also a $400 monthly harvest fee, a unique feature providing owners with access to an abundant array of farm-grown products, including fruits, vegetables, flowers and more. While you have no obligation to work on The Farm, this fee ensures a bounty of produce that mirrors a traditional farmer’s diet, which is largely plant-based with limited protein. It encompasses seasonal items and homegrown essentials like olive oil from our own olive trees, fruits, veggies, eggs and even catfish. Residents won’t pay monthly dues until cabin construction is complete.
Both the FOA and harvest fees are assessed quarterly and billed during the first month of each quarter to lot owners.
The Farm does not have a CDD.
Because of the “water wars” that are only increasing among varying regions throughout the U.S., The Farm elected to permit its own water source with the State of Georgia. Consequently, we own the water beneath The Farm and we have our own 600’+ deep wells and treatment system that supplies underground water to all the cabins and amenities. The water is of excellent quality.
We have partnered with Okefenokee Regional Power Company to assist them with the construction of a solar program, which provides our electric needs. Additionally, we have backup generators and propane gas reserves to create redundancy for outages or natural disaster scenarios.
Residents have access to multiple internet and cable providers, including Starlink satellite internet service.
The Farm will have a secured gate entrance with surveillance cameras to ensure safety to all who work and live on The Farm.
Vehicles are not permitted on property. We have ample resident parking at the front of the property where you can park and unload your belongings in our secured Welcome Barn. There, battery-operated golf carts (aka “farm carts”) are stored and protected from the elements while you are away. The idea is that you leave all your stress behind as you enter The Farm – no noise and no reminders of “the busy life.”
As The Farm evolves, so too will our capacity to offer special events for our residents. Stay tuned for more details!
There are several, first-class hunting options for cabin owners and guests, which include turkey, deer, hog, dove and bear (bear are only “treed”). We have access to more than 10,000 acres adjacent to The Farm. Hunting on The Farm property itself, however, is not allowed.
The Farm will have planned public events and private tours throughout the year. These events will be based in education of regenerative farming and community building. Private tours will be limited and booked through the main office.
We do have additional storage areas planned; however, they have not been constructed yet. They are planned to include air-conditioned and unconditioned space for all kinds of residents’ toys. The areas will have reasonable fees associated with individual use requirements.
We do not currently have any volunteer work programs; however, please stay tuned because we are considering some varying programs over the next few years.
We do have plans for an equine village; however, it has not been constructed yet. We anticipate it being available in approximately two years.
There is no time frame in which a lot owner has to build.However, the sooner you build, the sooner you can start enjoying all of the benefits of Farm ownership.
The Farm is in the Charlton County School District and is zoned for Folkston Elementary School, Bethune Middle School and Charlton County High School, each within a 10-minute drive from The Farm. Folkston is also home to Charlton Christian Academy, a private K-12 school as well as a number of pre-Ks around the area.
The Farm is located just seven miles from the small town of Folkston, Ga. You can find several restaurants, major pharmacy chains, fast food restaurants and a Harvey’s grocery store. You are 30-40 minutes away from Kingsland and larger franchise chains.
More than six beaches are within a 45-minute drive, including some that are state and national parks.
The Farm at Okefenokee is at the front door of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a pending Unesco World Heritage site, that conserves the unique qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp, and is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers. The refuge provides habitat for threatened and endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and wood stork, along with a wide variety of other wildlife. It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health.
Annual passes are available for a very small amount of money, which we highly encourage owners purchase and utilize. Participation on the water, boardwalks, trails, biking and educational programs is one of the best investments one can make for health, entertainment and wellbeing.
Southeast Georgia Health System-Camden Campus is 33-miles away in St. Marys, Ga., while Jacksonville-based health systems are less than an hour’s drive including Ascension St. Vincent’s, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic and UF Health. Additionally, Life Flight is stationed nearby at the FAA building in Hilliard, providing fast trauma emergency response time.
The nearest airport to The Farm for domestic and international flights is Jacksonville International (36 miles); Brunswick Golden Isles for domestic (52 miles); Daytona Beach International (141 miles) and Orlando International (206 miles). For those with non-commercial aircraft, Davis Field Airport in Folkston is also available as a convenient option.