The Conservation Fund announced on Monday that it has acquired the family farm of former President Jimmy Carter, located just outside Plains, Georgia. The nonprofit organization purchased the 2,458-acre property, where Carter grew up and spent much of his adult life, for $8.5 million. The acquisition ensures the land will be preserved and eventually opened to the public for outdoor recreation.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president who died in 2024 at the age of 100, maintained a lifelong connection to the farm, returning to walk, hunt, and fish there. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023, also frequented the property. The Conservation Fund stated that the land will be transferred to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources after its initial public opening, which is expected to occur as soon as next year.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative perspectives focus on the preservation of American heritage and the expansion of public access to natural resources. The move to transfer the land to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources aligns with calls for state-level management of public lands. Supporters note that the integration of the Carter farm into the Lanahassee Creek Wildlife Management Area represents a practical approach to conservation that respects local traditions of hunting and fishing.

While specific conservative political figures did not issue immediate statements in the source material, the action reflects a bipartisan appreciation for the former president’s rural roots and the preservation of historical sites. The decision to keep mature longleaf pines and replant others, a request made by Carter himself, is seen as a commitment to maintaining the ecological and historical integrity of the region.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive voices and conservation advocates view the acquisition as a fulfillment of Carter’s environmental legacy. Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson, emphasized the personal and historical significance of the land in a statement. "For our family, this land was always about more than a farm. It was home — a place my grandparents treasured. We’re grateful to The Conservation Fund and to everyone working to make sure it’s protected for generations to come," Jason Carter said.

Stacy Funderburke, vice president of the central Southeast region at The Conservation Fund, highlighted the continuity between Carter’s personal history and his public policy achievements. "Long before Jimmy Carter protected millions of acres across America, he was a boy working the fields and roaming the woods of southwest Georgia," Funderburke stated. "This land shaped him and his legacy, and he never stopped coming home to it. We’re honored to help ensure this land remains healthy habitat for wildlife, and we look forward to the day it is open to everyone who wants to experience it."

What the Numbers Show

The Conservation Fund acquired the property for $8.5 million, according to reporting by The Washington Post. The purchase covers 2,458 acres (995 hectares) of land. The acquisition will expand Georgia’s Lanahassee Creek Wildlife Management Area to nearly 7,000 acres (2,833 hectares). The farm is located near the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, which already includes the former president’s boyhood home. The public opening for hunting, fishing, and recreation is projected for 2027, with the transfer to state management scheduled for the following year.

The Bottom Line

The preservation of Jimmy Carter’s family farm marks a significant milestone in protecting the environmental and historical legacy of the 39th president. By securing the land and planning for its transfer to state management, The Conservation Fund ensures that the property will remain accessible for public recreation and wildlife conservation. The integration with the existing Lanahassee Creek Wildlife Management Area creates a larger contiguous protected space in southwest Georgia. The next steps involve preparing the site for public access in the coming year and finalizing the administrative transfer to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.