Long-time South Florida residents may remember a time when the region was more farmland than freeway, and open space wasn’t hard to come by. With the rapid pace of development in recent times, however, those days have long past.

But those seeking a home in a community that harkens back to South Florida’s more rural beginnings may consider buying a home at Arden. The new master-planned community in Wellington features a five-acre farm where residents will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and farm and a “farm-to-fork” lifestyle where the fruits of their labor may end up on their tables. Developed by Boston-based Freehold Communities, Arden will feature 2,000 homesites on 1,209 acres that include a five-acre community farm, mile-long central lake, 20 miles of trails, and 176 acres of parks and open space. The community is located off Southern Boulevard, directly across from a wildlife refuge, and not far from the Twentymile Bend.

The community is one of eight nationwide, five of which have already opened, that Freehold is developing in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and California. Founded in 2013, the company describes their communities as embracing “healthy living, engagement, connectivity, stewardship, and distinctive home design.” Called “agrihoods” by Freehold, communities feature amenities such as nature preserves, or the merging of home and open space.

“Rather than a cookie-cutter approach to master planning, we immerse ourselves in the local market to create amenities and a community that best expresses their interests and wellbeing,” said Freehold Southeast Division President Andy Smith in a press release. “This allows our pioneers — our first residents — to take pride of ownership immediately.”

Rendering courtesy of Arden

Arden will offer homes from several builders. One Ryan Homes collection will offer homes ranging in size from 1,700 to 2,500 square feet, two to five bedrooms, and two to four bathrooms on 48-foot homesites priced from the mid $300,000s. The other Ryan Homes collection will offer homes ranging in size from 2,580 to 3,100 square feet, three to five bedrooms, and two to four-and-a-half bathrooms on 58-foot homesites priced from the low $400,000s.

Kennedy Homes will offer homes ranging in size from 2,501 to 3,263 square feet, 3 to 5 bedrooms, and two to four-and-a-half bathrooms priced from the $400,000s. Lennar will offer homes ranging in size from 2,631 to 3,555 square feet, three to four bedrooms, three to four bathrooms, and three-car garages priced from the $400,000s. Kenco Communities will also offer homes, but the company has not yet released details. Model homes were opened late last year.

The community will feature a five-acre farm and a community barn where residents can take seasonal classes on topics such as healthy recipes and pumpkin carving, and have opportunities to participate in planting activities.

The only other Freehold development in Florida is Shearwater, which is in St. John’s County near Jacksonville. It features 2,600 homesites on 1,524 acres with 13 miles of walking trails through 600 acres of preserved habitat, parks, fields, lakes, and canoe/kayak access to Trout Creek.