1 minute read
White Oak Pastures: the bright side of unintended consequences
By LeeAnna Tatum
The term “unintended consequences” most often has a negative connotation, but sometimes the reverse can be true! As is the case with White Oak Pastures (WOP) and the surrounding community.
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Will Harris and the managers of WOP didn’t purposely engage in rural development or establish a plan to bring about a restoration of downtown Bluffton, it just happened as a natural result of the farm’s growth. But once they realized the positive effect they were having, “rural revival” became the third tenet of their core values. The other two tenets being: animal welfare and land regeneration.
Over the past ten years, WOP has bought and restored a number of buildings downtown, including the General Store and several houses, infusing new business and life back into the tiny community.
With a population of 103, Bluffton had experienced a decline that is all too familiar across rural Georgia. No jobs, no opportunities, no growth … nothing to encourage people to stay, much less draw new people in.
The restoration of the town’s General Store has created a new and vibrant hub for this small town. It’s literally THE place to be! Residents, visitors and farm employees gather here to eat, shop (grocery and toiletry items are available as well as WOP products), and visit! 13 Oh… and it’s also one of the few spots with reliable cell service (we know how that goes in rural areas!) and wifi is available here for employees and guests of the farm.
WOP has bought and restored several homes some of which are used for farm managers and staff homes, as well as intern housing. But there are also a couple houses in town which WOP rents for farm visits! Cabins have also been built on the farm itself and are available for farmstays. Guests have the opportunity to tour the farm, go on a trail ride, or just unwind and unplug! Agricultural tourism at its best.
Of course, all this change hasn’t been met with open arms from everyone in the community, but there is no doubt that WOP has made a positive impact on the local economy and infrastructure - whether they intentionally set out to do so or not!
