Lone Oaks Farm

University of Tennessee

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You are here: Home / About Us / News

A Look Backwards

April 24, 2017

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.

Follow on Facebook to keep posted about ongoing progress a Lone Oaks Farm.

Filed Under: Planning & Development

Looking Forward – Master Plan to Set Pace

April 24, 2017

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.

Unveiling of the Lone Oaks Farm Master Plan

On May 22 at 2pm, a draft of the Lone Oaks Master Plan will be unveiled at the farm in Hardeman County.

You’re Invited – Join architects and Lone Oaks Farm administration for the unveiling of the Farm’s master plan via live webinar on May 22 at 2pm. Pre-registration is required to attend the online event.

Register Online

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

Filed Under: Planning & Development

The Plural of One Set to Engage and Educate about Lone Oaks

April 24, 2017

The Plural of One bookLone Oaks Farm is happy to announce the publication of “The Plural of One”, a hardcover coffee-table book that highlights the Farm’s beauty and splendor in words and pictures. Through gifts of over $80,000, publication costs were covered. Author Dan Conaway and other UT administrators teamed up earlier this year to host book signings throughout the region.

Order Now

See Photos of the Inside of ‘The Plural of One’

The Plural of One book
The Plural of One book
The Plural of One book
The Plural of One book
The Plural of One book
The Plural of One Book

About the Author

Dan Conaway
Dan Conaway

A lifelong Memphian, Dan Conaway is a communication strategist, freelance writer and columnist. He has owned everything from ad agencies to creative boutiques, promoted everything in his hometown from ducks in The Peabody to Grizzlies in the NBA to pandas in the zoo, and won recognition for his creativity at every level. Along the way, accolades have included the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal for lifetime achievement, selection as the Outstanding Advertising Alumnus of the University of Tennessee, and awards from the Episcopal Church, the Boy Scouts and the Boys & Girls Clubs for his work with youth.

His column, Memphasis, is posted weekly at www.wakesomebodyup.com, and published weekly in The Memphis Daily News and in The Memphis News. His book, I’m a Memphian, was published in 2013.

For information about ordering your copy of the book, visit http://www.loneoaksfarm.com/pluralofone/

Filed Under: Publications

4-H and STEM at the Heart of Lone Oaks

April 24, 2017

4-H STEM Camps
4-H STEM Camps

Kids are at the center of Lone Oaks Farm’s mission. Lone Oaks Farm is a place where kids are connected to the land and to agriculture, and through outdoor experiences they learn about science and build life skills. While our audience is every K-12 student in the region and beyond, 4-H is at the very root of Lone Oaks Farm’s origins and mission. Our vision for the farm is broad, but filling a void left by the closure of West Tennessee’s only 4-H camp was a foundational objective.

Since its inception over a century ago, 4-H has engaged youth with STEM Education (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities. The two were made for one another.

Hiring a Director of STEM Education

To further STEM literacy, the farm has developed a partnership with the Hardeman County school system to fund and hire a Director of STEM Education position.

This position will be responsible for developing, conducting, and evaluating a STEM Education program at the Farm that will engage K-12 public, private, and homeschool students, as well as support STEM Education programs at 4-H camps.

Plans include having the director in place by July 1, 2017-just in time for 2017 4-H STEM camps.

4-H STEM Camps

Dates of the camps are: July 5-8 (Male only camp) and July 10-13 (Female only camp). Activities will focus on:

  • Agriculture – Soil Science, Water Quality
  • Science – Micro-invertebrates, Astronomy, Fisheries
  • Technology – Drones
  • Engineering – Construct GaGa Pits, Shade Tents, Eno Circle, Amphitheater
  • Outdoor activities will include kayaking, paddle boards, horseback riding, archery/trap, dutch oven cooking, and others

To apply, contact your local University of Tennessee Extension office. For a list of all Extension offices in the state, see: https://tiny.utk.edu/offices

Filed Under: 4-H, STEM Education

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The University of Tennessee

Lone Oaks Farm is administered by UT Extension, a unit of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA). UT Extension has offices in every county in Tennessee and provides educational programming in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Economic Development. UTIA is one of the five campuses with the University of Tennessee system and is comprised of UT Extension, AgResearch, College of Veterinary Medicine, and College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

  • To request information or assistance, please call 731-376-0882 or you can reach our staff via email as listed below.

Gail Marcum: pmarcum2@utk.edu
Alice Cain: acain9@utk.edu

   

 

 

 

Lone Oaks Farm

10000 Lake Hardeman Rd
Middleton, TN 38052
(731) 376-0882

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