Maytag Plantation
Bullock County, Alabama⁞1579± ACRES
Maytag Plantation: A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
- 1,579 +/- acres founded by L.B. Maytag as an outdoorsman's paradise, Union Springs, AL
- Easternmost lake portion of the original Sedgefields Plantation
- One of the South's most iconic recreational properties
- 70+/- acre Maytag Lake - one of Alabama's premier private lakes
- 7 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom lakefront lodge
- 4-bed, 4.5-bath on one wing of the home (2 queens in each bedroom with en suite baths plus 1/2 bath and laundry room)
- 2-bed, 2-bath plus a rustic-inspired bunk room on the other master wing of the home
- Detached 3 car garage
- Exceptional wildlife habitat
- Exceptional stands of merchantable timber
- 3/4 of a mile of Cubahatchee Creek
- High quality soils
- Rolling terrain
- Exceptional trophy deer, bobwhite quail and wild turkey hunting
- Borders #1 wild quail property in Alabama for 2 miles
- Managed with prescribed fire for over a century
- 2 additional fish ponds one could be converted back into a duck pond
- Well-maintained gravel roads throughout
- Full Shop with walk-in-cooler
- Very well maintained and capitalized
- Bordered by other large landowners
- Tractors and Equipment included in sale
- Majority of plantation protected by a conservation easement
Formerly a portion of the original Sedgefields Plantation; This is the Maytag Lake portion of one of Alabama’s most iconic recreational properties
Featuring a 70 acre Lake and Fully equipped and meticulously maintained for world-class recreation
“Every state has its signature recreational property—the place, the vision, the people that helped shape our outdoor traditions. In Alabama, this is that place.” - Jon Kohler
A Storied Sporting Landscape:
Maytag Plantation, a 1,579+/- acre legacy estate nestled in Union Springs, Alabama. Originally acquired by L.B. Maytag—of the famed appliance family—in the 1920s, this revered property has hosted generations of prestigious field trials and legendary guests and America’s leaders, including President Dwight Eisenhower, Bing Crosby, and Sam Walton. What they started here has grown into today’s thriving recreational land niche the likes of which they could never have imagined. These are the “good ole days.” More than a sporting estate, Maytag Plantation, is a storied heirloom that represents everything that is right after a generation of exemplary stewardship.
It all began with a field trial, where Maytag watched a dog named Sun Ray point nine coveys of quail in just fifteen minutes. "That was convincing enough for me,” he later said.
Inspired by that moment, Maytag began assembling the land that would become the iconic Sedgefields Plantation. Just nine years later, he hosted its first major field trial. Since 1950, what is now known as the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship has been held at Sedgefields annually.
So much energy and passion were poured into running bird dogs here that Union Springs earned the title “Bird Dog Field Trial Capital of the World.” What Maytag started has grown into a living legacy—sustained today by like-minded landowners who share his vision and commitment to sporting excellence.
“Wealthy industrialists like Mr. Maytag could have bought land anywhere. They chose the best—land with abundant wildlife, natural beauty, and the ideal climate for outdoor recreation. From there, they helped shape the culture of wildlife management and hunting traditions we know today. This property, with its pristine lake, remains part of that original epicenter.” — Jon Kohler
The Land and Amenities:
Meticulously managed for sporting and recreational excellence, the land offers a rare blend of natural beauty, biodiversity, and functionality:
- 70-Acre Private Lake: Professionally managed by Southeastern Pond Management, this stocked lake is renowned for its trophy bass fishing.
- World-Class Habitat: A generation of annual prescribed fire and fertile soils create ideal conditions for upland quail, trophy deer, and wild turkey.
- Exceptional Lodge: A modern lakefront lodge offers family and friends the best in hospitality and enjoyment.
- Turnkey Operation: A full suite of equipment—including John Deere tractors—is included to support seamless land and lodge management.
The Lodge:
At the heart of the property lies a thoughtfully designed lodge, built for both grandeur and comfort. Highlights include:
- Grand 7 bedroom, 6.5 bath custom-built home
- 4 bed, 4.5 bath on one wing of the home (2 queens in each bedroom with en suite baths plus 1/2 bath and laundry room)
- 2-bed, 2 bath plus a rustic-inspired bunk room on the other master wing of the home
- 2 laundry rooms
- Additional half bath near guest side suites
- A detached three-car garage and large equipment barn
Whether you're hosting holidays, entertaining guests, or organizing corporate retreats, the lodge serves as an elegant and functional centerpiece.
The Lake:
The 70+/- acre Maytag Lake is a destination unto itself. As one of the largest private lakes in Alabama, it has hosted notable anglers ranging from President Eisenhower to Roland Martin. Structure has been strategically placed throughout, and the lake is maintained at a professional level.
“This area holds some of the best plantations in Alabama, but we have something others don’t. I’m always getting asked to fish here,” says property manager Randy Brown.
“We put in crawfish, bait fish, shad—whatever Southeastern Pond tells us to do, we do it. I want to make sure when people go out here, they’re not fishing—they’re catching.”
“We’ve sold some of the south’s best lakes, I have a 40-acre lake myself. We know lakes. I can see why Maytag and his guests cherished coming here. I can also see how modern pond management under the current ownership has taken this to an even higher level. Maytag Lake really is one of those special places.” — Jon Kohler
The Habitat:
The property primarily consists of well managed upland pine with an exceptionally diverse and healthy understory. The timber stands are healthy and merchantable. Approximately 3 miles of headwater streams and associated upland hardwoods provide wildlife friendly eco-tones distributed throughout. An exceptional road system connects food plots and allows strategic hunting access.
"This is a very special place,” says the landowner's son, Adam Jones. “We decided to place the majority of the plantation under a conservation easement. Three miles of three different creeks—headwaters of the Lower Tallapoosa River—run through the property. This land has been managed with prescribed fire for over a century and has some of the best native ground cover and wildlife habitat left in Alabama.”
“During hunting season you’ll see a variety of people coming from Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida…they congregate in the Black Belt because it’s such good hunting,” said Randy Brown, property manager. “When I put someone in a stand, one things for sure: they’re going to see deer. You’re going to see 20, 30, 40 deer in one sitting. Now will a 150 or 160 walk out? I can’t guarantee that, but I can 100% promise that they’re there. Wild turkey are prolific as well. “On an average morning when everything’s vocal, you’re looking at maybe 12 to 14 different gobblers that you can hear from the porch.”
“Once being part of Sedgefields itself, Maytag now borders it for 2 miles. I dont think there is a debate that today Sedgefield's is regarded as holding the highest number of wild quail per acre in Alabama. Its one of the top in all the South. I see no reason that if just a few simple things were done such as thinning the timber, trapping and supplemental feeding that Maytag too wouldn’t have the same outstanding wild quail numbers.” -Jon Kohler
The Equipment - Included with the property are:
- Two enclosed-cab John Deere tractors
- Two mowers
- A full line of implements
Most items are lightly used and recently purchased. More importantly, they’ve been operated by the same people who manage and know the land—those who treat every acre as their own.
The Location:
While the property is buffered by two major plantations for exceptional privacy, it remains deeply rooted in the Union Springs community. Owners maintain local accounts with feed stores, hardware suppliers, and grocers—relationships that speak to the authenticity of this place.
“We’ve had the honor of representing iconic Union Springs plantations—Enon, Three Notch, Shenandoah, Gusto, and others. There is truly nowhere else in the world like these remarkable properties.” — Jon Kohler
“What I like about Union Springs is you’re in the woods, but you’ve still got enough conveniences to get what you need,” says Randy Brown. “You still have the country life—the country living.”
Landowner Stewardship:
The majority of the property is under a conservation easement to provide that this propriety will remain as a recreational hunting property as it has been for over 100 years. To ensure further flexibility, 52 acres around the lodge remain outside the easement, offering more than enough development area for any future needs.
“The family wanted to make sure it stayed like that. That it would always be able to do the things we’ve always done.” - Adam Jones
Priced Right:
Maytag Plantation is offered turnkey, including equipment, stands, furnishings, and more.
- Land & Timber: Competitively priced around $4,000 per acre
- Lake: Valued at reproduction cost, assuming such a lake could be permitted today
- Lodge: Valued at reproduction costs
- Equipment lists: Available upon request
Owning Maytag Plantation:
Owning Maytag means stewardship over one of Alabama’s most iconic properties.
The window when a family has both the ability and the time to enjoy a property like this—and the narrow moment when a property of this caliber comes to market—rarely align.
Your Southern Sporting Paradise:
Set in Alabama’s renowned Black Belt region, Maytag Plantation offers an unmatched opportunity to carry forward a legacy of sporting excellence. With its rich history, natural beauty, and modern amenities, this is a rare acquisition for the discerning buyer—whether as a private hunting preserve, a corporate retreat, or a personal sanctuary.
“It’s like a 400-class Boone and Crockett bull elk stepping into the open. You’ve trained, waited, and now you’ve got one chance — and then he’s gone. The rare moment when a family is ready to invest in their legacy, and a property of this caliber comes available, is just as fleeting. The hardest part of this career? It’s hearing from families years later, still haunted by the one that got away. Missed chances like that don’t just fade…they leave a mark. Let us help you make the shot that changes everything.” — Jon Kohler
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From murky farm ponds to pristine glacier-cut lakes and everything in between, Knox Daniels’ expertise stems from a lifelong fascination of water and the creatures that live in and around it. He recognizes and helps clients appreciate the value water features bring to a property. “My goal is to help buyers realize and sellers maximize the value different water bodies bring to a property, not only in a recreational sense, but also for social storm reasons.” After extensively traveling the country for collegiate BASS fishing tournaments, Knox graduated and worked for the Southeast’s finest fisheries and wildlife biologist, Greg Grimes. With Grimes’ company, AES, Knox managed many of the southeast’s finest private lake estate/impoundment properties, and learned the intricacies of upscale property management. Learning from Greg and other biologists, Knox honed in on the specific conditions and habitat needed for optimal gamefish growth in private lakes. He has also worked as a property manager on several thousand acres and for a commercial developer, facilitating the dirt work and builds of several apartment complexes, but his true passion has always been in the outdoors. “I’ve always had an insatiable fascination with ponds/lakes and am grateful to be able to help to place clients on the properties of their dreams and make their personal fisheries/wildlife goals reality with JKA.” – Knox Daniels
Jason has been assisting landowners for the last 28 years in Georgia and South Carolina obtain achievements the owners did not realize were possible. His degree in Biology from Georgia Southern stemmed from the desire to know how things in nature work. His plantation roots began at just 16 years old outside of Albany, GA and the last 20 years were spent in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His entire career has been spent developing a global approach to plantation management. That plan included sales. Sales is in Jason’s blood- his mom had a 45-year career as a real estate broker. After college, he chose to pursue his passion of making properties great. In 2011, Jason sold his first plantation. Since then, he has assisted buyers and sellers with over $20 million in sales while most of that time working as a full-time General Manager of a large Lowcountry plantation. Today, he is committed to using his unique skill set and experience to guide landowners through the many challenges of plantation ownership.
Bruce Ratliff is a retired elected official (Property Appraiser Taylor County). Bruce brings years of experience in ad valorem tax knowledge. His property tax background gives JKA Associates & clients a unique insight into the complicated tax process. Bruce held several positions in the Florida Association of Property Appraisers, including member of the Board of Directors, President, Vice-President and Secretary, and served on the Agricultural & Legislative Committees for the Association. The real estate business has been part of Bruce’s life since childhood. His mother, Shirley Ratliff owned Professional Realty of Perry, Florida and his father, Buster owned Ratliff Land Surveying which Bruce was General Manager of before his political career.
Hailing from a long line of outdoorsmen, Tim learned a great deal from his father and grandfather. He saw first-hand what it means to be a good land steward. He believes land is so much more than a place to hunt, fish, and grow timber or crops. “It’s an identity, a resting place, a safe haven and a way of life, said Tim.” Tim’s family ties to Alabama run deep. During his grandfather’s first term, Governor James was responsible for signing into law Alabama’s first state duck stamp which helped to ensure funding for the procurement, development, and preservation of wetlands for migratory waterfowl habitat. He also established Alabama’s lifetime hunting license, so it is no surprise that Tim is an avid outdoorsman with a keen eye as to how best to improve habitat for the greater good of its wildlife.
With Madison County roots, Lori grew up on her family farm at Pettis Springs along the historic Aucilla River. A love of the land was instilled in Lori very early on by her father who was a local farmer. Lori understands the importance of good land stewardship and has witnessed first-hand how her own father, a former 2-term member of the Florida House of Representatives whose district encompassed many rural counties of the Red Hills Plantation Region, with a little bit of sweat equity, so lovingly worked their own family land. These are core values she carries with her today, and nothing gives her more personal satisfaction than to represent some of the south’s best land stewards.
Cole’s dedication to land management lies in his family roots. As a fourth-generation timber expert, Cole’s earliest memories were spent with his father managing timber investments. With a degree in Food Resource Economics from the University of Florida, Cole is the epitome of an up-and-coming leader. He grew up with a hands-on approach to learning land management and conservation and has spent the last 15 years learning every angle of the real estate and forest industry. Cole is a member of the Florida Forestry Association, Red Hills Quail Forever, Southeastern Wood Producers Association and he uses this platform as an advocate for landowners and their land investments. His family has dedicated the past 60 years to providing landowners in North Florida and South Georgia with professional land management services focused on improving and protecting one’s forestland and wildlife investment. In fact, their family business, M.A. Rigoni, Inc., was one of the first to introduce whole tree chipping to the Red Hills Region.
As a landowner of his own family farm, Lick Skillet, along with family land that has been passed down and enjoyed together at Keaton Beach for 40 years, Jon knows what it means to be a steward of the last best places. As a third-generation land broker with more than 30 years of experience in advising landowners in this niche, Jon is known for his innate ability to harvest a land’s unique intrinsic value. Touting several notable sales under his belt, Jon personally closed Rock Creek/Molpus – 124,000 acres of premium timberland at $142,000,000 – which was known as the largest timberland land sale in the Southeast for eight years running. He is a co-founding member of LandLeader and achieved the real estate industry’s highest honor, “2022 National Broker of the Year – Recreational Land Sales,” by the Realtors® Land Institute.