At Ease Farm
Irwin County, Georgia⁞254± ACRES
A Fourth-Generation South Georgia Legacy Sporting™ Estate
- 254± acre recreational property in Irwin County, Georgia
- Offered for the first time after four generations of family ownership
- One pond totaling approximately 5± acres
- Satilla Creek frontage
- 93± acres of income-producing Longleaf pine
- Pine straw has historically generated approximately $19,000 annually (current contract expiring — renewable or replaceable at buyer’s election)
- 181± acres of planted Longleaf and Loblolly pine
- Diverse mix of pine timber and natural hardwoods
- Gently rolling topography
- 3,100± SF barndominium — 2 BR / 2 full baths + loft with half bath
- Screened porch overlooking the water
- RV hookup
- Approximately 10 miles east of Ocilla, in the heart of South Georgia’s sporting and farm country
- Private, secluded setting and ideal Social Storm™ property
Water, Recreation, Timber, & Improvements — A lake, Satilla Creek frontage, and a barndominium create a turnkey recreational retreat.
Income-Producing Longleaf Pine — 93± acres generate approximately $19,000 annually in pine straw income
Offered for the first time after four generations of family ownership, at Ease Farm is 254± acres of South Georgia recreational and farm country in Irwin County. A pond, Satilla Creek frontage, productive Longleaf stands, and a barndominium, the property combines recreation, income, improvements, and real privacy on one place.
The land is diverse and well suited for year-round enjoyment. Approximately 182 acres are in planted Longleaf and Loblolly pine, complemented by natural hardwoods, regenerating timber, water, and gently rolling terrain. A lake totaling approximately 5 acres create attractive focal points within the property, while Satilla Creek frontage and associated hardwood areas add another layer of wildlife habitat and recreational appeal. The varied landscape creates wildlife habitat and the diversity, and scale buyers seek in a quality South Georgia recreational property.
This is one of those rare properties that has been in a single family for so long - This farm has not been hunted hard in who knows how long — no trail camera surveys, no protein program, no food plots on rotation. So the wildlife that walks these pines today was produced by Longleaf cover, introduced northern genetics, a clean creek bottom, no hog competition, and no pressure, while the neighbors let them grow the entire time.
The opportunity:
Nobody has ever managed this place to its ceiling. A buyer can thin the merchantable Longleaf, open the old plots, and build recreation and wealth at the same time — on habitat, genetics, and infrastructure that are already here. The upside is one will create wealth while having fun doing it. Making it your family’s legacy.
Wildlife & Hunting:
The property has Deer, turkey, quail, and wood ducks. The west side drops into Satilla Creek where it feeds toward the Satilla River — thick, wet, and exactly where the mature bucks live.
“The big bucks loved the swamp areas. Growing up, I always used to call the big deer swamp donkeys. The turkeys love to roost back there — it’s not uncommon to hear them gobbling and echo through the bottoms.” — John Benoit, son of fourth-generation owner
Then there is the thing that separates this farm from nearly every other creek-bottom tract in South Georgia.
“There’s no wild pigs on this property or around this area that I’m aware of. When you think of a swamp bottom of a creek across the state, you’re gonna assume, well, you got a lot of pigs. But I can say there’s no wild pigs here.” — John Benoit
The deer herd carries introduced northern genetics from a release made at the entrance of this property decades ago, when Wisconsin deer were brought south. That genetic is still here, in a neighborhood of hunters who have grown to appreciate mature deer.
“It’s not gonna be uncommon to kill a buck on average 130-inch class. Deer love to navigate through the pine trees. We have a lot of good bedding areas, and these roads are great transitions between hardwoods or wet areas and good cover.” — John Benoit, on the family’s experience hunting the farm
What makes that number hold is who owns the ground around you.
“All the landowners around, everybody kinda has the same mentality — let them go, let them grow. You’re not gonna have to worry about passing a deer for it to step over the property line and hear a gunshot moments later.” — John Benoit
Spring is every bit as strong. On an ordinary morning the family expects six different gobblers working from separate directions, birds roosting in the creek bottom and answering across the pines. Wood ducks trade over the cabin at last light and drop in on the east side of the pond. Quail and rabbits are thick in the young regeneration where the 2020 cut came back.
The Drive In:
The entrance runs straight through Paulk Vineyards, one of the largest muscadine operations in the world. Rows of vines on both sides, then the vineyard ends and the pines take over — and that transition is where the property announces itself. Quail break across the road. Turkeys ease into the timber.
“If you close your eyes, you might could tell someone you were in Italy — but you’re actually in South Georgia.” — John Benoit
The farm sits several miles off Highway 32, tucked behind large landowners on every side. No road noise. No traffic. Completely secluded — out of sight and out of mind, which is precisely what a Social Storm™ buyer is looking for. This is the kind of place you want to own the next time the world gets loud.
Land, Timber & Income:
Approximately 181 acres are in planted Longleaf and Loblolly, complemented by natural hardwoods, regenerating timber, water, and gently rolling terrain. The Longleaf was established and maintained with burn rotations across the years. Its ready to be thinned.
93± acres sit in an established pine straw program that has historically produced roughly $19,000 per year. The current contract is at its end, which means the next owner inherits proven straw ground with a clean slate on terms — renew it, re-bid it, or take the stands a different direction entirely.
“Growing pine straw is kinda a double stack enterprise. I always laugh and say money does grow on trees if you’re in the timber or pine straw business. You’re able to harvest the pine straw every single year in addition to the trees growing. Maybe in 20 years you could come in and select cut, get some good timber.” — John Benoit
For a buyer who wants to push it: thin the stands, reestablish native grasses underneath, and this becomes genuine quail ground. The 2020 cut area holds old food plot sites that a tractor and mulcher would reopen in a weekend.
Water:
A pond totaling approximately 5 acres anchor the improvements. The water runs clean and holds its level year-round rather than drawing down in late summer. Around 2000 the main pond was drained and every stump pulled — clean bottom, safe to run, and ready for real management. A feed program and fertilization would grow serious bass here, and there is room to enlarge it if a buyer wants more water.
Late in the afternoon, with the sun setting west, the surface mirrors the far bank so completely that the family jokes you cannot tell which way is up.
Satilla Creek frontage and the hardwood bottoms along it add another layer of habitat and recreational value — and are the reason the deer and turkey concentrate where they do.
The Barndominium & Shop
At the heart of the property is a 3,100± square-foot barndominium that serves equally well as a comfortable hunting retreat, weekend getaway, or base for managing the property. The building includes approximately 1,188 square feet of conditioned living space with two bedrooms, two full baths, an upstairs loft and additional half bath. An adjoining 2,232± square-foot shop provides substantial equipment and storage space with five roll-up doors, while a screened porch offers a natural gathering place after a day spent on the property. An RV hookup provides additional flexibility for family and guests.
What the Next Owner Inherits:
This is the part that’s easy to overlook…until you need it.
- An established road and firebreak system throughout — you can navigate and see your land from day one
- An established burn regime
- A pond with every stump removed and clean inflow
- A shop and cabin sized for equipment, family, and a crowd
- A hog-free property in a region where that is genuinely rare
- Neighbors who let bucks walk
- An opportunity to build a recreational stronghold exactly as you would want it
- Local farmers and caretakers available if you own it from out of state
Neighborly offer — John knows every inch of this farm and has offered to show the next owner around personally — the turkey roosts, the deer crossings, the quail coveys, how the road system was laid out, and the two low spots that will bury a tractor. Now that’s a generational handoff.
The Setting & Community:
The farm sits between Douglas and Ocilla off Highway 32. Douglas, roughly 17 miles out, carries every amenity you need plus a downtown of one-way streets and old storefronts filled with new businesses — the small-town Georgia most people assume is gone. Ocilla is the slower gear when you want it. Both have local restaurants worth the drive.
If you own from out of state, caretaking is a non-issue. This is farm country full of capable, like-minded people who will keep an eye on your place because that is simply how it is done here.
Passing the Torch:
A family that could have carved this up and cashed out decades ago held it together instead — because of what happens to you when you come down that road. They are not looking for the highest number. They are looking for the next steward.
“I hope that the next family enjoys the hunting and the memories that will be made out here on this property.” — John Benoit
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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.