A Common-Unity.
CFAR’s Rural Resilience Housing Initiative
by Kelly Claudon

It’s been a little over a year since I made my first trip to Bluffton, GA. A native of Georgia, born and raised in the northern part of the state, South Georgia isn’t new to me. But, I can’t really say I was overly familiar with it either before coming to work for CFAR. Mostly my exposure to South Georgia has been from the road, traveling back and forth to the beach. Really, the only thing that I knew about the southern portion of my home state is that it gets hotter earlier here than where I live, there’s a lot of farms, a lot of gnats, and it isn’t the part of Georgia where populations and economies are booming; the people are lovely, but the towns are mostly small. And, if I’m being real honest, I never gave much thought to why. It wasn’t that I didn’t care, in terms both personal and professional, I care a great deal about the welfare of people and communities. But, as we all do, my focus tends to be on what is in front of me and what is around me, and Bluffton, Georgia had been neither in front of nor around me. But, of course, by the time I was making that first drive to White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, that had certainly changed.

As I made my way into town that day, I had learned a lot about White Oak, Will Harris, as well as his daughters and many of the workers that help run and manage the farm. I had read, listened to, or watched whatever I could find. I was fascinated with it all. With Will’s turn in farming practices that was - at least in this neck of the woods-pretty unheard of, and the way he and his family sought to connect those reviving their community.

And that’s really where it hit home for me. As a former pastor and ministry leader, my focus has always been on the connection that exists between us. In A Bold Return to Giving A Damn, Will Harris describes his farm as a living system, and it is. But what I saw as I learned more and more about regenerative agriculture, the Harris farm, and the values they embraced as a farm, was a perfect illustration of the living system that is community. And yes, while we do tend to focus on the connections closest to us, the reality is that we are connected far beyond us as well. Connection. Community. Common-unity as I used to tell my congregation. The truth is that whether it’s a farm or a community, a living system relies on each part that makes up the system, and all parts are needed.

History and experience easily tell the story of the impact that industrialized farming has on rural America, and you likely already know about this as someone interested in regenerative agriculture or farming. Or maybe, you’re from a small rural town and you know this reality for yourself. And while I knew about this truth in theory, it was only in going to Bluffton, over and over again, that I learned and felt this reality with a much greater feeling and understanding of how I, and others like me-consumers- contribute to and are connected to the on-going rural farming towns face as the effects that industrialized agriculture continues to bear out in these communities. And while regenerative agriculture offers a better path forward for farmers, the climate, and the food produced by these efforts, it also offers a better path forward for communities and the people that fill them. That is what the Rural Resilient Housing Project is all about. The vision for this project is to create one or more small communities that will provide those who live and work in Bluffton, and others who would like to, affordable and comfortable housing options. Initially, this will apply most directly to CFAR and White Oak Pastures, as WOP is the largest employer in the area. Our pilot project (highlighted on the following pages) will provide one employee housing unit for CFAR which is being constructed by converting a container into a home. This pilot project will allow us to accurately assess feasibility in our effort to address this need. Completion is estimated for Fall 2024. I could have never imagined anything like Bluffton, White Oak Pastures or CFAR in my future, and yet here I am. And, even though I still live in a region of Georgia where population and economy thrive, I am forever changed by what is taking place in the Bluffton community through CFAR and White Oak Pastures. Regardless of where we live, regardless of the great many other elements and opinions that are different, if you’ve been to Bluffton, if you look to the practices of White Oak Pastures as a resource, if you enjoy the food, if you have attended a CFAR workshop, or just get the newsletter and follow us on social media, YOU are a part of this community, this common-unity. As part of that community, I hope you’ll read more and determine how you can be a part of supporting the Rural Resilient Housing Project.

Non-pressure treated lumber
(75) 2x4x10 - $6.00 each, $450.00 total

(35) 2x4x8 - $3.50 each, $122.50 total

Total Cost w/tax: $615.44

Spray foam kits – (3) - $400.00 each

Total Cost w/tax: $1290.00

(12) 4x12x1/2 inch - $25.00 each
(8) 4x12x1/2 in green board sheetrock - $25.00 each
(16) 4x8x1/2 in - $25.00 each

Total Sheetrock Cost w/tax: $1075.00 total

(10) gallons sheetrock mud - $21.84/4.5 gal

Total Cost w/tax: $70.43

(2) fiberglass sheetrock tape, 2in. X 295 ft. - $14.97/roll
(3) rolls paper corner tape, 2 1/16 in. X 250 ft. - $3.81/roll

Total cost w/tax: $44.47

140 ft. crown molding - $3.00/ft.

Total Cost w/tax: $451.50

140 ft. baseboard - $2.40/ft.

Total Cost w/tax: $376.25

(12) 110 volt wall plugs - $1.50/each
Total Cost w/tax: $19.35

(2) 220 volt wall plugs-50 amp 125/250 volt, $9.69/each
Total Cost w/tax: $20.83

(2) 220 volt wall plate-$5.35/each
Total Cost w/tax: $11.50

(2) Insert boxes for 220 volt wall plugs-$6.90/each
Total Cost w/tax: $14.84

(12) electrical insert boxes-$5.48/2-pack, 6-total
Total Cost w/tax: $35.35

Approx. $2500.00

Total cost w/tax: $2687.50

(1) Toilet - Approx. cost $150.00
Total cost w/tax: $161.25

(1) Standard Shower Insert (48 in. wide), with door, shower head, fixture knobs, drain flange - Approx. $1300.00
Total cost w/tax: $1397.50

(1) Small single vanity Cabinet w/ sink top, sink fixtures - Approx. $500.00 
Total cost w/tax: $537.50

(1) Towel/hand towel fixtures - Approx. $60.00
Total cost w/tax: $64.50

(1) Exhaust fan - Approx. $50.00
Total cost w/tax: $53.75

(1)1 set of fiberglass exterior French doors - Approx. $1800.00
Hardware - $61.00

Total cost w/tax: $1935.00

(2) sets of pocket doors - Approx. $350.00/door
Hardware - $22.00/each

Total cost w/tax: $800.00

(1) standard size exterior front door - $700; Hardware - $61.00

Total Cost: $818.00

(6) single-hung windows w/ screens - Approx. $250/each
Total cost w/tax: $1612.50

(1) 18x18 window - Approx $150.00
Total cost w/tax: $161.25

200 Amp, 32-space breaker box - Approx. $150-$200

Total Cost w/tax: $215.00

(18) recessed lighting - $28.98/4-pack
Total Cost w/tax: 155.76

(3) Flood lights (sensor) w/mounts: $35.00/each
Total cost w/tax: $112.88

Approx. 600 ft. 10;2 - $700.00

Total Cost w/tax: $752.50

(4) single light switches: $3.50/each
Total Cost w/tax: $14.00

(2) double light switch: $7.00/each
Total Cost w/ tax: $15.05

(2) dimmer switches: $30.00/each
Total Cost w/tax: $64.50

(4) single toggle light switch plates: $1.65/each
Total Cost w/tax: $7.10

(2) double toggle light switch plates: $1.52/each
Total Cost w/tax: $3.27

(2) dimmer light switch plates: $6.16/each
Total Cost w/tax: $13.24

(1) Set of hot & cold water lines - ¾ inch: $32.37/ each
Total Cost w/tax: $34.79

(1) Tankless, electric on demand hot water heater - Approx. $600.00
Total cost w/tax: $645.00

(2) Flush mount ceiling fan-Approx. $260.00
Total Cost w/tax: $279.50

(1) Bi-fold closet door-Approx. $100.00
Total cost w/tax: $107.50

(1) Closet Shelving system-Approx. $120.00
Total cost w/tax: $129.00