Rico Loma

Burra, William,  Jay
Much obliged, your words ring true.  Ethical treatment of land, animals and farmers......yes, causes to support and to live.  
We as a society are losing the honesty and respect in this regard, painful to see farmers in this moment tossed aside if war pops up suddenly.  
Wendell Berry grabbed my teenage brain in the late 70s, his ethos and pathos are ever enduring,  he was playing this same song ( reciting sonnets as well) decades ago but agribusiness has perhaps cluster bombed his archive of significant tomes.....
But here is a glimpse

Gray, that's a new one for me, so I reckon I'll post an image...I have a manual splitter who is 14 now, he has an array of axes, hatchets and machetes for his job at the moment

Most excellent!  Glad to hear your solution was an ancient material , cast iron

Long time since OP was here, but just a cautionary tale for us all...
Digging squirrels and other rodents can spread Hanta virus, which is a bit like plague. Do everything in your power to keep them far away , from humans and domestic animals.  An acquaintance contracted that virus from an old crumbling adobe house in NM, it almost killed him.  This has 35% mortality rate

Maybe the annual maintenance is wise if unprotected walls are lashed by rains.  What is more wise: always follow the "good hat and boots" mantra

Noble effort, thank you Chris.  If this one won't work, best luck on the next one.  
This might be a tough year for making solid plans in the states.  Our family is struggling with so much uncertainty in the economic realm as prices jump, 2ars started on a whim, massive layoffs in some sectors, including my wife's business.  
My faith keeps me afloat but  this coast to coast chaos is hard to swallow.

I have a. change of heart..... I WOULD throw pearls before this swine!
Handsome fellow indeed.  

Good to hear that your house only uses about half the wood , that's a big decrease. But as you said, it's important to spend more time splitting.  
Just curious,  have y'all ever discussed insulating the shop and studio?  I think the fuel needs might be halved again, less  cutting and splitting, if that is a feasible endeavor

Not to be negative, just realistic: property is quite expenses up north GA too

That being said, I do have two friends who are brokers, they are both very honest.  We all three were colleagues,  high school teachers back in the day They are both based in the Athens area near me, be glad to help you get some sound advice.  Hope this helps a little.  
Reign Streiter, Give Back Realty
reignsold.com

Joe Polaneczky, Nabo Realty ...also his wonderful wife Rachel Allen is there
office@naborealty.com

A man after my own heart!

Observers might chide, " that's a lot of work."
.....I would chime in, that's perfect meditation in Nature followed by healthy exercise