With the onset of a new year comes new opportunities to consider. Take life on The Farm, as an example. Would you agree the thought of living on a farm stirs up many deep-seated emotions? Several questions are also likely to surface: 

 

 

 

 

To help with this thought exercise, please allow Doug in the video above to share our vision for what The Farm is and what it can be for you.

 

Happy 2024,

 

Jeff & Doug - The Farm at Okefenokee Co-founders

 

Earlier this month we were honored to host two members of The Livestock Conservancy for a farm tour and presentation of the great work being done by their nonprofit organization. Karena Elliott, development director, and Alison Martin, program director (pictured above), shared about The Livestock Conservancy's mission to protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction.

 

Their focus on conservation of heritage breeds, like those on The Farm, is wholeheartedly shared by our team. Both parties left the meeting inspired and determined to continue working together to make a positive impact. Look for future announcements on partnerships between The Livestock Conservancy and The Farm. 

You may remember our naming contest from the end of last year for our one and only baby bull calf (pictured with his mama above). Well, the results are in and his name is officially...Clyde!

 

Thanks to Sandy who offered up his fitting name via Instagram, and for the dozens of others who shared their suggestions. With Springtime just around the corner The Farm will be welcoming more babies, so stay tuned for additional crowdsourcing opportunities!

 

The Farm is excited to announce the launch of our new blog - please be sure to check it out here!

 

 

The exteriors of all our cabins are proudly built with tidewater cypress, also known as red cypress. Our primary reason for using this versatile material is an important one. Grown in the southeast, red cypress is known for durability. It contains the oil cypressene, which acts as a natural preservative to protect the wood from insects and rotting, thus extending the life of each cabin at The Farm. Interestingly, this cypress was a go-to wood for famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and it's rumored to have been used for the doors of St. Peter's Basilica and even parts of Noah's Ark.*

 

 

No matter where you call home, you have likely been affected in some way by the recent weather conditions. The Farm, like any agricultural operation, is also impacted by severe weather. Our Co-founder, Jeff, shared his thoughts on the current season. 

 

“This is probably the wettest winter that we’ve had in 20 years. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything like it myself.”

 

These occurrence are a good reminder of how The Farm differs from a typical housing development, which doesn't need to consider extensive irrigation, crop production and animal welfare - all things we take great pride in. This season also reinforces the importance of our regenerative work. As our farming practices continue to enhance the land, its capacity to absorb more water will grow - making The Farm and all of its inhabitants, more resilient to extreme weather in the years to come.

January brings our first Top Crop of the month for 2024, the Purple of Sicily. Click here to watch The Farm team member, Nikki, share more about this colorful heirloom cauliflower.

 

Ever eaten or prepared Purple of Sicily? 

 

Tag us on social media using the links in the footer and tell us about your favorite Purple of Sicily recipes. Also, keep an eye out for our exciting lineup of food-focused events later in the year.

*Source: https://www.phillipsforestproducts.com/Species/tidewater-cypress

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