Jimmy Carter's family sells Georgia farmland to conservation group for $8.5 million
The 2,458-acre property near Plains will eventually be transferred to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to expand a public wildlife area.
The family of former US President Jimmy Carter has sold approximately 2,458 acres of farmland and forest near Plains, Georgia, to the Conservation Fund for $8.5 million, according to the Times of India.
The Conservation Fund announced the acquisition on November 9. The property, which served as both an agricultural enterprise and a personal retreat for the Carter family for generations, is intended to be protected for its ecological value.
The Conservation Fund plans to transfer the land to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 2028. Once transferred, the property will be combined with the nearby Lanahassee Creek Wildlife Management Area to create a protected landscape of approximately 7,000 acres.
The expanded area may begin welcoming visitors for outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing as early as 2027. The land provides habitat for species including deer, turkeys, quail, gopher tortoises, and longleaf pine forests.
Carter's daughter, Amy Carter, noted that the farmland was her father's favourite place. The family supported the sale to ensure the natural surroundings survive for future generations and reflect the former president's values.
During his presidency, Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, which protected more than 104 million acres.