Kathy and Scott Ledbetter love the land that has become Lone Oaks Farm. They view it as a responsibility to protect and enhance for future generations, as well as to enjoy the process of transforming the land.

When the land assemblage began ten years ago, there were no internal roads or buildings that have been retained. It was a clean canvas. Ben Page, noted landscape architect from Nashville, has been involved in planning the farm with the Ledbetters since the initial purchase of 32 contiguous parcels.

Limestone gravel drives, many with two tracts to minimize impact on the landscape, connect the farm's personal, guest, and employee residences with all the cattle and hay operation facilities. Roads were sensitively designed to disappear over rolling hills or into deep woods and then to pop out into open fields. They cross creeks and waterfall overlooks and offer views of the 20 ponds and lakes and the cattle pasture and hay field vistas.

The woods, fields and lakes offer the opportunity for the couple to put into practice their deep interest in conservation. The farm has planted numerous food plots and warm season grass fields for wild animal food and shelter. Deer, turkey, quail, bobcat, osprey, eagles, geese, and ducks are among the wild animals at home on Lone Oaks.

Scott is a past recipient of the Land Conservationist of the Year Award awarded by the National Wildlife Federation and the Tennessee Conservation League, the recipient of the Conservation Advocate Award from the Tennessee Environmental Council, and was the Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year. Scott serves as Trustee for the Tennessee State Parks and Greenbelt Foundation. Kathy and Scott, and the head of Lone Oaks' landscape maintenance crew, Sam Ayala, all attended the University of Tennessee Extension Service horticultural classes and have earned Tennessee Master Gardner designations. Furthering his interest in conservation, Scott has been a Trustee for the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, and Board Chair, Lifetime Board Member, and Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Memphis Zoo that was recently voted #1 zoo in the nation for visitor experience. Scott also chaired the capital campaign to Save the Wolf River, largest successful conservation fund drive in west Tennessee's history, and last year was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Wolf River Conservancy Foundation. Scott and Kathy work closely with the Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Fund. They are founding members of the Hatchie River Foundation in Hardeman County.