Since acquisition by the University of Tennessee in December 2015, Lone Oaks Farm has made tremendous strides toward becoming the national model for connecting youth and adults to the land. One of the Farm’s objectives is to use the outdoors to encourage a deep appreciation for the land, conservation, and agriculture. The transformation from private ownership to what we will come to know in the coming years is still ongoing. That said, the process has been remarkable and brought about even more opportunity than anyone expected.

The last 16 months have been a remarkable journey for the farm where it has hosted over 2,400 people at 120 different events. Events included both youth and adult gatherings, comprised of 4-H camps, church retreats, weddings, reunions, and retreats.

Upon acquisition, the Farm met the needs of and objectives of those it serves as well as any. With that in mind, any transition would require some infrastructural fitting. Limited camping facilities have meant 4-H events have been limited to single day and overnight experiences, that is expected to change soon.

Perhaps one of the Farm’s most notable commitments was the tentative approval from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for a $2.7 million project grant. The grant will fund the construction of a shotgun facility, including trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Plans also include a classroom for hunter education and firearms safety instruction.

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Lone Oaks Farm has been a wonderful educational facility for youth and adults since it was acquired just over a year ago. Facilities, educational resources, and other design aspects remain one of the Farm’s top development priorities. Married to accomplishing these objectives is establishing the exact configurations, growth expectations and other realities that may confront the Farm as it sees this growth.

Developing a Master Plan

After a competitive national search, landscape architecture firm Nelson, Byrd, Woltz (NBW) was selected to develop a master plan for the Farm, which will guide development and construction for the next 100 years.  NBW has an international reputation for landscape design that incorporates agricultural and ecological values. The group started their work in January 2017 and will submit a full and completed master plan by the end of July, 2017.

Public Input

Since January, dozens of stakeholders have been involved in helping to chart the future of the Farm. In January, NBW held a series of workshops at the Farm with over forty individuals from around Tennessee to get input about agriculture, natural resources, youth education, 4-H, hospitality, conferencing, and special events.

BioBlitz – Inventory of Biological Diversity on the Farm

And just recently in mid-April, NBW convened over 30 students and scientists from across Tennessee representing the University of Tennessee, Austin Peay, the Tennessee Aquarium, and the private sector to conduct a 3-day bioblitz – a rapid assessment of the Farm’s biological resources. Understanding what plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals currently occur on the Farm will help us to develop Lone Oaks Farm into an educational center, event venue, and working farm, while also enhancing the biological diversity of the property. Watch video to learn more.

To date, just under $10 million has been raised for the project through gifts, pledges, bequests, and in-kind support. Contributions have come from private donors, the Anderson Grain Foundation, the Tennessee 4-H Foundation, Hardeman County Schools, the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, local Farm Bureau organizations, and several other sources. Click here or contact Lone Oaks Farm administration if you are interested in contributing.

Videos from the BioBlitz