Aerial view of the Frank McCall Georgian-style house on a high bluff above the Flint River

THOMASVILLE — A Florida entrepreneur’s hunting trip to Southwest Georgia evolved into Mitchell County land purchases that today encompass more than 3,600 acres.

The amassed property is up for sale by sealed bid.

Edward Fogg, a frequent guest at a Southwest Georgia plantation, hunted quail annually in the area. Fogg fell in love with the area’s lifestyle, particularly expansive views of the Flint River, said Eric McCollum, associate with The Wright Group, the Thomasville firm handling the sale.

McCollum said Fogg “cut his teeth” in the dairy business and later in the acquisition and sales of citrus groves in South Florida.

Fogg quickly recognized this area’s fertile soil and water resources. McCollum said.

In 1989, Fogg and his wife, Lisbeth, commissioned noted architect Frank McCall to design a classic, Georgian-style plantation house on a high bluff overlooking the Flint River, and Nancemeade Farms was born.

During the next 20 years, Fogg’s real estate portfolio expanded to contain more than 3,600 acres.

Nancemead is unique in that it has a high concentration of quality, irrigated farmland, said Ben McCollum, The Wright Group broker.

More than 2,100 aces are under pivot. “The property and pivots have been very well-maintained over the years and leased as part of a large sweet corn operation,” McCollum explained.

In addition to quality farmland, Fogg intensively managed dry corners and wooded portions of the property to establish mixed age-class pine timber.

With more than 1.5 miles of high-bluff river frontage and native woodland habitat, Nancemeade served as the Foggs’ playground and diverse recreational property. Large paddocks, barns and kennels accommodated their horses, mules and bird dogs for traditional quail hunts.

The heavily wooded forest provided excellent cover for an impressive deer and turkey population.

The McCollums said that upon the deaths of the Foggs, a new chapter is about to be written for the property.

“With no children to carry on their legacy, Nancemeade is going to be sold to the highest bidder in an exclusive sealed-bid format,” said Ben McCollum.

He added, “Nancemeade is an exceptionally rare South Georgia farm in that it offers such quality irrigated farmland alongside significant timber reserves.”

The property has 17 separate pivot systems serviced by 14 deep wells across many parcels. Nancemeade will be offered in tracts ranging from 50 acres to the entire 3,600 acres.

The plantation home, along with more than 656 acres along the Flint River, will be offered as a separate tract and included in the sale.

The sealed-bid sale is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20.

More information may be obtained from Ben McCollum and Eric McCollum of The Wright Group in Thomasville.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.