Green Bridge Farm - Latest Blog Entries

Construction News

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:27:00 -0500

I have posted some pics of partial land clearing on lots 4 and 6. We rented an environmentally sensitive machine called a gyrotrac to do the clearing with. I think the woods opened up nicely. A layer of mulch is left after the underbrush is chewed up. I will post pics documenting the construction progress.

Contracts

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:29:00 -0500

After a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I finally have lot 6 under contract. I will have lot 4 under contract at the end of the month. These lots will be partially cleared next week. Water wells, septic systems, and electrical lines will be installed shortly thereafter. It would be a great time to come out and look around as lot 4 and 6 will be much easier to view after clearing. If you are interested in one of the remaing 7 lots, you can get a better idea of how your lot would look like after minimal clearing. Hope to see you on the farm!

House Plan Booklet

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:22:00 -0500

We have posted the entire Green Bridge Farm house plan booklet. Just click on the new farm logo and the link will take you there. I look forward to your comments.

House Plans

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:04:00 -0500

We have started posting house plans under the architecture heading. We will be posting more plans as well as a link to the entire Green Bridge Farm house plan portfolio. All houses will be equipped with geothermal heat pumps, foam insulation, and energy star appliances. We will also be posting photos of finished homes with their interiors designed by our architect. All plans were drawn by local architect Curtis Gibbs.

Zero Energy House

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:15:00 -0500

If everything goes to plan, a zero energy home, or ZEH, will be built on Green Bridge Farm in the next few months. I am in negotiations with a builder who utilizes the Earth Comfort System TM, to build a house that produces as much energy as it consumes. This is cutting edge technology. We will use SIPS panels, a geothermal heat pump, and solar panels. The structural insulated panels are premanufactured off site and delievered in crates to the building site. They are basically particle board outside with foam inside. Like a sandwhich. There is no waste and they provide superior insulation. I will provide more information as the project progresses.

WSAV Interview

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:20:00 -0500

Please check out my interview at WSAV . There is a link to the interview in "in the news" section

South Magazine

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:41:00 -0600

I've posted an article about Green Bridge Farm from "South Magazine" in my photos section . I've also posted some photos that were taken by Shawn Heifert that were not used in the magazine. In the current issue of "Savannah Magazine" there is mention of the farm in the "What"s New" section of the magazine on page 30. Getting great exposure and a television interview is in the works!

Update

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:40:00 -0500

The project is ready for inspection and will be reviewed by the Effingham County commisioners. When they approve, the project will be recorded and the lots will be ready to be sold. We've had an enormous ammount of rain but the road and ditches have held up well. The pond is filling in nicely. I went for a swim this morning and it was great. It will probably be late September before the project will be recorded. We will have an open house on the property around that time. I wil post the date as soon as we finalize the plans. . Hope to see you out here!

Construction Update

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:23:00 -0500

Finally the end is near, or should I say the beginning. The pond is in place and filling with water. We will stock it with fish in a couple of months. Bass, bream and catfish. We will also be building a performance stage near the pond. That should begin next month. Electrical service will be installed next week. It will be underground so we won't have to look at ugly poles. After that the dirt road will be capped with recycled concrete. We will be having an open house on the farm just as soon as the road in completed. Stay posted for details

Building Standards

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:13:00 -0500

After deliberating for months on a building standard for this project, I have finally arrived at one. This standard will be referred to as the Green Brdge Farm standard in the architectural review board bylaws. This standard addresses the carbon footprint of the houses being built on the project. Other standards that address fascades and square footage, will remain the same.

The standard is simple:

1. All houses must have a geothermal heating/cooling system.

2. All houses must have foam insulation in exterior walls and ceilings.

3. All houses will be all electric with energy star appliances.

With the current tax incentives at both the state and federal level for geothermal systems, it would be irresponsible to not go with geothermal.

My TEAM

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:16:00 -0600

I finally found a banker who believes in my vision. Jamie Chisolm with The Heritage Bank, is providing the funding for the construction phase of the project. He is also ready and able to help potential clients with funding for lot purchases and home construction. Ed Hoffman and his team at Hoffman Environmental Services are building the road and digging the pond. You will be hearing more about these two men in future blogs. I've had the good fortune to find the right people at the right time to push this project forward. I am accepting earnest money on the lots now. Of the nine lots, seven are still available. I will post construction photos soon.

Construction Update

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:37:00 -0600

I have finally gotten the notice to proceed with construction of my project. Lots will be ready for sale Feb. 09. I'm taking earnest money on lots now. The road work should start next week and total construction time will be 2 months. I will keep you posted on construction as we go along.

Buyer Concerns

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:29:00 -0500

I would like to address some concerns that I have fielded recently. The question is, what will happen if I decide to sell my lot, number 1? In the unlikely event that I sell my house and lot, the orchard and adjacent garden will be deeded to the neighborhood association. That will be written into the neighborhood association agreements and it will be legally binding. In the event of my death, my nephew Mick Danielson, will inherit my property. His property is adjacent to the project, near lot 10. He and his wife Dana, will be joining the neighborhood association, expanding our total acreage by 2.87 acres. After inheriting my lot, he would be bound by the neighborhood association laws. I hope this information allays any and all concerns regarding the orchard and garden. thanks. Michael Maddox

Construction Costs

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:58:00 -0500

Due to rising construction costs, I have been forced to increase the price of all of the lots by $5,000.00. This will be the final increase. I have been in negotiations with a reputable firm that is very interested in being a part of this project. We will get a very professional road and pond from this firm but it will be expensive. I hope this increase doesn't put the lots out of range for any potential buyers. The lots are still well below market price in the area and the amenities are unmatched by any other development in the area. Thanks, Michael

Blueberries

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:49:00 -0500

I was visited today by a summer school class from Blessed Sacrament Church of Savannah. . Ages were hard to tell but I think they ranged from about 4 or 5 to 16. It was fun to watch them go after the blueberries and blacberries. Most of the kids had never seen a homestead like this. After the berry picking and lunch, I gave them a tour of the garden. They didn't seem very interested that this is an organic farm but their parents and guardians were.

I would imagine it was a first, for some of the kids, to actually see a vegetable garden. Many samples from the garden were taken. After realizing that my newly harvested onions and garlic had been decimated, I should have hidden the wheelbarrow, I had to barter onions to get my garlic back!

A good time was had by all. I've posted some pictures. Later. Michael

Welcome To My Website

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:12:00 -0500

My name is Michael Maddox and I have a 25 acre organic farm, 25 minutes outside of Savannah Ga. I have been farming on this site for the last 20 years. I have Blueberries, Grapes, Apples, Figs and many other fruit and nut trees. I also have two large vegetable plots. Only about two acres are in cultivation and the rest is heavily wooded. I have decided to develop about 14 acres of the wooded area. These will be large lots, 1.25-1.8 acres each. All residents will have access to the gardens and orchard. There will also be about 3 acres of community property with a pond and performance stage, that the neighborhood association will maintain. This is a unique opportunity to jump right into an organic healthy environment as most of the "heavy lifting" has already been done. Lot sales will begin soon and earnest money will be needed to secure lots. You can email me for more info and/or a tour. Thank you. Michael Maddox

Green Light

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:57:00 -0500

After many a month, or more correctly years, I have finally gotten approval from the Effingham County Commissioners to proceed with my project. The sticking point was my refusal to pave my access roads with asphalt. I asked for a variance from this building code and was granted a variance. I will use recycled concrete for my access roads. This variance was hard won and took many months to secure, however, this will "pave the way" for future environmentally leaning subdivisions. I am in the process of getting all of the lots surveyed and recorded. I am also working on the final drafts of the neighborhood association agreement. When these tasks are completed, I will be asking for earnest money from potential buyers. If you have your hearts set on any particular lot , you will need to indicate that and secure it soon. I'll keep you posted. This is a victory I will relish for a while but it's too soon to be resting on laurels!