Big Creek Farms

Nestled in Lanier County, Georgia, Big Creek Farms is a 3,310± acre legacy property where the art of land stewardship meets architectural mastery. It represents the convergence of Georgia’s signature trophy farm with one of the state’s most magnificent architectural homes. This is not simply land; it is a generational vision realized.

"So really from the time you turn in the gate and start heading to the house or heading to the horse barn, you just really feel a sense of calm and a sense of just beauty and the nature that God created." - Haynes Studstill, Landowner

For more than two centuries, the Studstill family has worked this ground, each generation adding its chapter to the story. Today, that legacy stands as one of the state’s most celebrated Classical Revival homes and complete private properties in Georgia - comprised of 3,310± total acres including 2,000± acres of high-quality recreation and 1,263± acres of Georgia’s best farmland.

An Architectural Masterpiece:

The home at Big Creek Farms is an achievement rarely seen in modern times - a 22,000-square-foot (17,000 h/c) masterpiece home and guest home under one roof, meticulously envisioned by Haynes and Justin Studstill in partnership with designer Doug Carter of Valdosta. Three+ years in the making, every inch was planned, drawn, and refined with purpose, resulting in a residence that blends 1840s inspiration with twenty-first-century innovation. This estate is now acclaimed in the "Top 100" homes in Georgia, and stands as a place where world-class architecture meets the outdoor lifestyle.

“I would say that this house would rank in the “top 100” in the state for sure. I could say that easily.” - Doug Carter, founder and owner of Carter Design & Consulting

“This is like seeing a brand new Greenwood, Chinquapin or Watercrest.” - Jon Kohler

From its columned façade and balanced roofline to the intricate crown moldings carved in Egypt and the French-oak parquet floors sourced from Europe, the home radiates authenticity. “A lot of thought went into the details,” says Haynes Studstill. “The drawers, the cabinets, the pantry—everything was designed so we could put away what we use every day and keep it out of sight. I wanted it all hidden, simple, and clean.” Hidden technology and modern convenience complement the old-world craftsmanship—windows that turn opaque at the touch of a button, a lighting system that responds to a single command, a 100-watt generator, fiber internet, and full fuel and gas capacity.

“There’s not a house that I know of that is to this caliber. I don’t. This property is a gem.” - Doug Carter, founder and owner of Carter Design & Consulting

Downstairs is the primary bedroom, a private sanctuary, complete with heated floors, intelligent glass, and an adjoining study overlooking the pastures and centuries-old live oaks. The main level also includes the library, formal dining room, and powder bath, each space designed with proportion and balance in mind.

“We designed everything around the live oaks,” says Haynes Studstill. “They’re three to four hundred years old. When you drive in beneath them, you feel peace and reverence for what God created.” – Haynes Studstill

Upstairs, four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a game room, and a study create a series of self-contained retreats for family and guests. Every suite is intentional, private, and consistent in finish with the main level. The guest wing offers an additional one-bedroom, one-bath layout, while a separate guest apartment above the garage provides yet another layer of privacy and independence.

The gun room, paneled in pecky cypress and anchored by a stone fireplace, is both a showpiece and a working space—housing more than 120 firearms in a setting that reflects the South’s sporting tradition. The garage, fully heated and cooled, features 18-foot ceilings and stained concrete floors, built to the same standard as the main residence.

A grand 1.4 +/- miles of paved driveway, leads way to the home, ending in a paved parking area. Outside, a resort-style wave pool bordered in premium turf and wide porches looks out across manicured horse pastures that stretch to the horizon.

“It’s new, but made to feel old - yet current,” says designer Doug Carter. “It carries the refinement of Georgia’s great estates, but with the comfort and craftsmanship of today.” 

“It took nine months to a year of planning before we even got to the point of letting a contractor begin to price it,” Doug Carter, founder and owner of Carter Design & Consulting. “The issues of recreating this, in today’s environment, for one, and with the labor force we are facing, it's like playing Russian Roulette to a certain degree. I mean, when you get into this caliber of a home, you could miss your target by $2, $3, or $4 million in just labor costs, not to mention the supply chain or delays in materials.”

Stewarded Land with Proven Productivity

Big Creek Farms stands as a model of how working land and careful management coexist. The property spans 3,310± acres of prime agricultural and recreational ground, with three miles on Big Creek and 2,680± acres under conservation easement. Roughly 2,000± acres are dedicated to high-quality recreation and cattle pasture, and 1,263± acres represent some of Georgia’s finest farmland (139± acres dry farmland) — and 1,124± acres irrigated by 11 pivots powered by electric and diesel wells producing up to 3,000 gallons per minute. Income-producing, the irrigated farmland is rented for $250 per acre. These are the top soil classes in the state — fertile, well-drained, and historically proven.

“We get top dollar for our farmland,” says Justin Studstill. “There’s literally a list of people waiting to rent it.” 

The row-crop operation—corn, peanuts, and tobacco—provides steady income while reinforcing the wildlife balance across the property. The owner even grows his own wiregrass to restore the habitat to its natural condition. Seasonal prescribed burns and rotational management reflect the same stewardship traditions practiced across the Red Hills region.

Where Wildlife and Tradition Thrive

Big Creek Farms is a rare sporting property where the full spectrum of the Southern field experience comes together—waterfowl, whitetail, quail, and turkey all within one remarkable landscape.

White-tailed deer genetics here are exceptional, whitetail typically score in the 150-inch class. The Lanier County record stands at 170 inches—a deer taken just near Big Creek Farms. “Before that,” Justin adds, “the biggest deer in the county were in the 150s, and both of those were killed right here on this tract.” The deer program at Big Creek Farms reflects true intentional management. Trophy whitetails are protein-fed year-round through a system of six covered 800-pound feeders that keep feed dry and consistent. Nine insulated box stands, complete with glass windows, stairs and hand rails, overlook key travel corridors along the creek and fields — ideal for both seasoned hunters and young sportsmen alike.

The same care and intention shown in the deer program extends across the property’s wetlands and waterways. Big Creek winds for three miles through the property, connecting 50 acres of Lee Pond and 20 acres of fishponds. On the north end, two managed duck impoundments, roughly ten acres combined—are fully irrigated and floodable for corn production. That setup works in perfect harmony with one of Georgia’s best natural flyways.

“You’ve got Banks Lake right here, a 12,000-acre federal wildlife area, and Ray’s Mill Pond, a 2,500-acre private lake,” Justin notes. “You’re right in between them—less than a mile apart. Those two hold huge numbers of migratory birds.”-Justin Studstill

Through prescribed fire, selective thinning, and herbicide applications, the Studstills have restored native groundcover and strengthened quail and turkey populations. “When we started the hunting here, we wanted to have a quail program,” Justin recalls. “So in 2012, we focused on habitat—opening the woods and getting native grasses reestablished. Once we did that, the native quail population took off. Now we’ve got fifteen to twenty wild coveys across the place.”

“You can kill ten mallards in the morning, quail hunt midday, and sit in a deer stand that afternoon,” says Justin. “There aren’t many places in Georgia where you can do that.” 

Equestrian Excellence and Additional Improvements:

For Haynes Studstill, horses are at the heart of life here. The equestrian complex includes a world-class enclosed 120 × 200-foot covered and lighted riding arena, eight-stall barn, irrigated pastures, and a sophisticated fly-spray and watering system. Each pasture on the property has a shelter for animals. The fencing surrounding the pastures is painted, four board, with every other post cemented into the ground with concrete. The stables, designed with the same level of detail as the home, are both functional and beautiful.

"So one of the things that was most important to me when we were building the horse barn is I wanted a covered arena. Being out in the blazing sun in the summertime and trying to help your kids with their horses or they're having riding lessons and you're worried about sunscreen and sunblock and it is just hot. So having a covered arena was super important for them to be able to ride anytime they wanted to, whether it was rainy or sunny or too hot, they'd have shade and they could get away from the rain. Obviously with this much land, you can ride horses anywhere, you can go anywhere you want to, but having that arena option was really important." - Hayes Studstill, Landowner

“No matter what room I’m in, I can look out and see my horses,” Haynes says. “That view - those moments - are what make this home feel alive.” – Haynes Studstill

The property also features a striking, completely furnished, four-bedroom hunting lodge complete with outside band stage, bar, and walk-in cooler - ideal for entertaining after a day afield. There are also two rental homes; one is 2,500 sf, three bedrooms and two bathrooms and the other is 2,200 sf with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Additional improvements include a one-mile-long shooting range, insulated/enclosed shooting house with windows, staircase and hand rails, fuel system, 50x100 storage building (concrete and enclosed on three sides), 40x100 boat barn (insulated, air-conditioned, pine wood on wall, stained concrete floor), 50x50 barn, commodity barn for equipment, and workshops all underscore the property’s turnkey readiness.

Georgia’s Modern Masterwork:

Every element of Big Creek Farms reflects a shared vision: to elevate land stewardship to an art form. Generations of work and wisdom are woven into every acre. From its live oak-lined drive to its rolling pastures and highly productive farmland, this is a property that honors the past while securing the future.

“We wanted to build something that would stand the test of time,” says Justin Studstill. “Something better than we found it.” 

Just three miles north of Lakeland and twenty minutes from Valdosta with commercial airports, with multiple jet ports less than about 30 minutes away, Big Creek Farms offers both privacy and accessibility, and excellent Social Storm™ features. Lakeland, the Lanier County seat, is often described as “today’s Mayberry” - a friendly, close-knit town where neighbors wave from their porches, cafés are family-run, and murals throughout downtown celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage. Life moves at an easy pace here, with excellent local schools, safe streets, and community traditions like the Flatlanders Fall Festival that capture the heart of small-town South Georgia. Hayes says, "Lakeland is a very sweet town. It's not a huge town, but you've got all the great local people that run these mom and pop type restaurants. That's just great food and great people." 

Just down the road, Valdosta offers the best of a thriving Southern city. As Georgia’s 10th largest city, it’s a prosperous hub anchored by Valdosta State University, South Georgia Medical Center, and a revitalized downtown filled with boutiques, art galleries, and chef-driven restaurants. The city’s strategic location along I-75 brings both accessibility and opportunity. It's also very convenient to the beach; in less than two hours you can be on Sea Island, an hour and 40 minutes through to St. Simon's and at Jekyll slightly less than that.

"Our farm is three miles north of Lakeland where we're at now. The south end of the farm backs up very close to town and Lakeland's just a typical south Georgia town. It's very slow paced. There's not a red light in town. Everybody in town pretty well knows everybody and it's just a very friendly; a good place to raise a family." - Justin Studstill, Landowner

"I think there's been a real trend to look in Georgia because you can get a little bit better a price for what you're wanting then you can in some of those sort of oversaturated areas where the demand has really exceeded the supply. So I feel like there's a lot of people that want to be just right across the line inside Georgia, close enough to get right into Florida easily and get to World Equestrian Center and Ocala and things like that in two and a half hours, but not necessarily have to deal with all the congestion and the business of living in that area." - Hayes Studstill, Landowner

Few places in Georgia bring so much together in one setting. Big Creek Farms stands as a signature sporting property, a trophy farm with exceptional wildlife, an equestrian-ready landscape, and a homeplace with real architectural presence. The location strengthens the story. This region ties together high-quality land, coastal access, and some of the South’s most desirable small towns.

Area Highlights

• Two nearby airports support quick regional and out of state travel.

• Immediate access to Interstate 75 for reliable year round connectivity.

• Short drive to St. Simons Island and Sea Island for coastal escapes.

• Easy reach to Thomasville and Valdosta for dining, shopping, and services.

• Strong recreational region with consistent demand for high quality land.

• Quiet rural setting supported by dependable infrastructure.

“If King Solomon would have built in South Georgia this is what he would have built.” - Jon Kohler