The Conservation Fund has acquired the family farm of the late President Jimmy Carter in southwest Georgia for $8.5 million, with plans to protect the property and eventually welcome visitors. The 2,458-acre tract near Plains, where the 39th president spent his formative years and returned throughout his life, will be transferred to state hands for conservation and recreation.
Stacy Funderburke, the organization's vice president for the central Southeast region, said in a statement that the group is honored to help ensure the land remains a healthy habitat for wildlife and looks forward to opening it to the public. 'Long before Jimmy Carter protected millions of acres across America, he was a boy working the fields and roaming the woods of southwest Georgia,' she added. 'This land has shaped him and his legacy, and he never stopped coming home to it.'
Jason Carter, the former president's grandson, expressed gratitude for the acquisition, noting that for the family the land was always more than a farm. 'It was home — a place my grandparents treasured,' he said. 'We're grateful to The Conservation Fund and to everyone working to make sure it's protected for generations to come.'
The nonprofit plans to hand the property over to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 2028, expanding the nearby Lanahassee Creek Wildlife Management Area to nearly 7,000 acres. The site could open for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities as early as 2027, pending state approval and management planning.
Carter, who died in December 2024 at age 100, grew up on the farm working alongside his father, growing peanuts and other crops. He left the Navy in 1952 after his father's death to take over the family business, returning to Plains permanently. The farm's sale marks a significant preservation effort, tying into Carter's environmental legacy, which includes signing the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, protecting over 104 million acres.
This acquisition comes amid broader political shifts in Georgia, where recent elections have reshaped the state's congressional delegation. The sale also highlights ongoing conservation efforts in the region, which have faced challenges from development and climate change. The Conservation Fund's purchase ensures that this piece of presidential history remains untouched by commercial development.
Local officials and environmental groups have praised the move, noting that it will boost eco-tourism and provide new recreational opportunities for residents. The expansion of the wildlife management area could also help protect native species and improve water quality in the region.
The Carter family's connection to the land remains a focal point for visitors to Plains, which already attracts tourists interested in the president's life and legacy. The future public access will allow more people to experience the landscape that shaped Carter's worldview, from his rural upbringing to his global advocacy for human rights and environmental stewardship.
