Longleaf Preserve Debuts as Walton County’s First Organic Community
Sheltered by a nature preserve and centered around an organic farm, Longleaf Preserve offers residents a unique, healthy lifestyle conveniently located nearby the attractions of Northwest Florida
Walton County’s first organic community is sprouting up along the shores of Black Creek in Freeport, Fla. on County Road 3280. Initially conceptualized by a group of dedicated preservationists, agriculture and urban planning experts, the 2,443-acre master-planned organic community of Longleaf Preserve is based on the principles of preservation, active lifestyles and “farm to table” dining. Modeled as a traditional conservation community, Longleaf Preserve will feature private residences and a town center clustered into urban villages, the area’s first Farmer D Signature Organic Farm and acres of preservation land.
“Longleaf Preserve is inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds it,” said Lloyd Blue, principal developer for Longleaf Preserve. “Walton County offers a wealth of natural resources including the Gulf of Mexico, the Choctawhatchee Bay, natural springs, rare coastal dune lakes and an immense area of both public and private forest preservation. We wanted to create a “whole living” community that allows residents to experience and enjoy all of these resources while also giving something back to the area through the foundation of the farm and community garden and promotion of a greener and more sustainable way of life.”
Longleaf Preserve is surrounded and protected by the Nokuse Plantation, a 48,000-acre conservation initiative founded by MC Davis and Sam Shine and home to the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, a world-class environmental education and awareness facility. Containing over three miles of frontage along the pristine Black Creek and more than 1,700 acres of preservation land within the development, Longleaf Preserve offers residents the rare opportunity to live amongst nature and to return to a simpler lifestyle where family afternoons are spent meandering through community nature trails or fishing along the river bank.
Plans for Longleaf Preserve include all of the modern resort amenities expected from a first class development and more, yet not at the expense of the surrounding environment. Homesites and amenities will be spaced in “pedestrian proximity” to encourage travel by foot, bicycle or golf cart. The town center will feature a charming main street with a general store, bakery, coffee shop, restaurant and more. Additional features will include a community recreation center, clubhouse and swimming pool, fish camp, spa, lodge and miles of hiking and nature trails.
At the heart of Longleaf Preserve is the area’s first Farmer D Signature Organic Farm (www.FarmerD.com), based on the principles of biodynamic agriculture—a method of farming that treats the whole farm as one living organism where all of the elements aid in the growth of one another creating the healthiest, most balanced food possible. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in the growth and harvesting of their food through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and farmers market. Atlanta, GA-based Farmer D (Daron Joffe) was selected to establish the farm at Longleaf Preserve due to his reputation as an expert and advocate of the socially responsible, biodynamic farming movement.
“The principals behind Longleaf Preserve wanted the community’s vision to be rooted in agriculture and the project became an opportunity to demonstrate on a massive scale conservation, sustainability, agriculture, preservation of the land and wildlife, and ultimately of a way of life,” explains Joffe. “Longleaf Preserve has been one of the most unique and powerful coming together of people whose passions, skills and visions all aligned to create something that is really special.”
Enhancing the appeal of Longleaf Preserve is that while the community offers a natural oasis from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, it is also centrally located to Northwest Florida’s well-known attractions. The South Walton Beaches, the Northwest Florida International Airport and population centers with shopping and entertainment are all within a 20-minute drive.
For additional information regarding Longleaf Preserve, please visit www.longleafpreserve.com or call 866.356.1415.
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