April 2012 Small Business Spotlight
Flat Creek Lodge, a sustainable dairy, farm and hunting and fishing resort and spa in Southeast Georgia, opened its doors in 2002. For more than a decade, Flat Creek has been committed to increasing trade and tourism in Emanuel County and Eastern Georgia by enhancing the land and showcasing products like artisanal cheeses and naturally-grown mushrooms and berries. The 1,500-acre property also features distinctive lodging and offers an ideal setting for outdoor sporting events like bob white quail and boar hunts and makes a remarkable destination for corporate events, weddings, class reunions and weekend getaways.
The uniqueness of Flat Creek Lodge has played an important role in the local economy by providing employment and bringing tourism dollars to the area as visitors enjoy the local art, distinguished dining, wildlife and the history of Southeast Georgia. The gourmet meals served in Flat Creek's Dining Room often feature the fish, game, cheeses, mushrooms and berries harvested from its farms.
Even more, the Flat Creek Dairy, officially opened in 2007, has earned recognition and accolades as only the second dairy in Georgia.The Dairy and Farm work to maintain a high level of respect for the local ecology.In 2009, the Lodge introduced its oyster mushrooms, beautiful fungi that are also a nutritional and culinary delight. One of the most innovative and sustainable procedures used at the Farm is the pasteurized medium in which the oyster mushrooms are grown. Moreover, the Dairy is home to an all-Jersey herd, which allows for the production of exceptional quality cheeses. Jersey milk is generally accepted as being the best milk in the world, which leads to the best cheese. Additionally, because of repeated use the same milk from only Flat Creek’s cows, each batch of cheese aging in the onsite cave maintains consistency, and for Flat Creek Lodge cheeses, that means consistently delicious.
The Flat Creek Lodge seasonal berries are vended fresh or frozen, offering year-round availability. Today, Flat Creek cheeses, mushrooms and berries can be found in fine restaurants throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
Onsite, guests enjoy hunting and fishing on the large private property, which provides an excellent adventure for experienced and novice sportsmen and women. Flat Creek Lodge offers all necessary equipment and expertise from trained outfitters. Even a first-time fisher will find success in the ponds filled with largemouth bass, bream and crappie. Hunts, sporting clays, paintball and more tranquil activities like bike rides and nature hikes are also featured at Flat Creek Lodge. It’s this variety of sporting and leisure pursuits that make the Lodge an excellent site for groups and corporate meetings where experience and interests are often varied. The property boasts a rustic Lodge and individual spacious Cottages as well as a spa and relaxing Japanese bathhouse. Flat Creek Lodge maintains the commitment to offer proposals tailored to each group, from small to large.
Aside from celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Flat Creek Lodge in November, the Lodge has proudly received awards from the American Cheese Society, Flavor of Georgia and the Governor’s Tourism Award. Flat Creek Lodge is located at 367 Bishop Chapel Church Road, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401. The Lodge can be reached at 478.237.FISH or 877.352.8273. It can also be visited online at www.flatcreeklodge.com.
Click here to read previous member spotlights:
Nov/Dec 2011: Red Brick Brewery, Atlanta
Jan/Feb 2012: Byrd Cookie Company, Savannah
March 2012: Tribe Transportation, Cleveland
