Back to the farm

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An upcoming housing development in Durham plans to include a weekly food-share fee as part of its homeowners association dues.

Residents of Wetrock Farm will be a community that focuses on sustainability and farm-to-table living, according to a press release from developer Wetrock Resources LLC.

The community will focus on preserving biodiversity, limiting the use of toxic chemicals and homes that are built to green building specifications.

The 230-acre site for the proposed project is about 15 minutes from Duke University and downtown Durham. The main feature of the community will be an organic farm and more than 140 acres of conserved open space with trails. Current plans also call for a farm village center, fitness center, community room, covered pavilion and muscadine grape vineyard. Residents will be encouraged to grow their own gardens with advice from local farmers.

The 15-acre organic farm will offer residents all the benefits of growing one’s own food without the labor-intensive responsibilities, the release said. The farm will be maintained by a professional team using sustainable agriculture practices and will include organic fruits and vegetables, a farm stand, and space for educational programs and outdoor events. In addition, residents will have access to the onsite community garden, under the guidance of the farmer. The community will promote the flow of knowledge between the lead farmer, visiting educators, residents, and the community.

Wetrock Resources is currently working with its builders and architects on home designs, according to the release. The developer has planned a variety of National Green Building Standard Bronze certified green homes with a common “farm house” vernacular.

Wetrock Resources is working with four local builders who have reserved all 141 lots, and also received over 180 online form submissions from prospective homebuyers.

“If you look at the surveys from ULI, NAHB and Realtors, homebuyers want conserved open space, walkable neighborhoods, a real sense of community, and a lifestyle closer to the land. Wetrock Farm offers all of that, which is why people are excited,” said Wetrock Resources Managing Partner Rick Bagel in the release.

The first two sections in the community to be developed will be the Farm Village – cottage lots forming a walkable village around the organic farm and community center – and the Woodlands – 100-foot-wide wooded lots backing up to conserved open space. Home price ranges will be $280,000-$499,000 in the Farm Village and $500,000-$799,000 in the Woodlands.