Henry Farms

Description

In the heart of the Carolina Lowcountry, Henry Farms, formally known as Fripp Plantation, is part of a rich historic and agricultural legacy. Located on quiet St. Helena Island, stronghold of the Maritime agricultural community that has cultivated the fruits of these lands and waters since before the Civil War, roots here run deep. Henry Farms, embodies all that this bountiful coastal region has to offer, with a total combined acreage of 605, including 11 acres of picturesque tidal marsh where shrimp pop and egrets fish the tranquil creek banks. The property holds vast potential for those seeking a working farm as well as a place to enjoy the storied Lowcountry life. Located nearby is the historic Penn Center, a landmark of national significance. Founded in 1862 as a school for the local islanders, it continues to serve the community as a social and educational hub. Owning Henry Farms means becoming part of the long and proud legacy of a people who worked this land through untold trials and triumphs and joining a community of growers producing sod and crops like blueberries and tomatoes, in fields where indigo and Sea Island cotton made the fortunes of yesteryear. The charming town of Beaufort is 8 miles away, and the gorgeous beaches of Hunting Island State Park beckon to the east of St. Helena. Nearby Beaufort County boat landings invite exploration of waters teeming with game fish and resident dolphins. This is the ideal region for anyone who values quality of life as much as they do farming. Henry Farms features 450+/- tillable acres, 400+/- acres under center pivot, 100 acres in centipede sod production, and 40 acres of coastal Bermuda hay. Five irrigation wells ensure crop yields, and the property is ditched and cross-ditched for well-drained soils. Two active permitted dirt pits with a total area of 15 acres produce reliable revenue streams, and 72 acres are under long-term lease with Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority. The 1,226 square-foot farm manager's house, built in 1989 and located at 76 Club Bridge Road, is nestled among moss-draped oaks and azalea bushes. Three separate entrance points offer expedient access, at Lands End Road, Club Bridge Road and Seaside Road. With its unique cultural legacy, hundreds of tillable acres on an island renowned for agricultural productivity, and its location within a highly desirable region where folks enjoy the charms of Southern life, Henry Farms is an exciting and rewarding acquisition and a rare opportunity to own a sizeable, contiguous, undeveloped historic property with endless potential. The desire to maintain the rural character of St. Helena Island brings about other possibilities including the potential of incentives resulting from a conservation easement should the new owner desire to pursue that option.