It's been over 35 years since Arike Logan and Shaka Kusaidi first set foot on this beautiful land. Sassafras Ridge Mountain Retreat was officially established in 1992 when the first road was built and the first ten lots were sub-divided. Founded as a natural sanctuary for positive and progressive families and organizations, they built Sassafras into a community of over 585 acres and over eighty-five diverse landowner families.

 

Sassafras Ridge now has three spring-fed lakes, a natural oasis known as the Harriet Tubman Nature Reserve, miles of electric power (mostly underground), and a number of homes have been built or are under construction. Sassafras has also been a retreat destination for hundreds of businesses, churches, community groups ... and thousands of individuals/families. 

 

“We give thanks to GOD for blessing us for over 35 years, for this rich and beautiful land, this experience, this community and this opportunity.” states Kusaidi, “Our landowners and community members are leaders in health, education, religion, human rights, the arts, law, business, construction, science, government service, and communications ... from the South, up North, New Orleans the West coast... to the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Canada. We all bring different experiences, but share a common love of nature, life and our unique community. Although we have confronted a number of obstacles and challenges, our collective potential is enormous... and many landowners have been involved with and are planning innovative, collaborative projects at Sassafras and beyond!”

 

Stay tuned for the future ... and our next generations!