Team

Lone Oaks Farm’s Ron Blair Named Conservation Educator of the Year

June 13, 2018

Ron Blair, Conservation Educator of the Year

Ron Blair, Director of STEM Education at Lone Oaks Farm, has been named the Conservation Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

This award was part of the 53rd Annual Conservation Achievement Awards which celebrate “those making a meaningful difference to Tennessee’s natural resources,” according to Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

The Conservation Educator of the Year award is given ‘for outstanding achievement in education others on conservation.’ Ron’s dedication to conservation education for both young people and adults has spanned a career of nearly 40 years.

From educating youth and adults about agriculture and natural resources to assisting landowners with lakes and ponds and establishing the O.W.L.S (Outdoors, Wildlife, Leadership, Service) camp for junior high students, Ron has impacted many lives in the state of Tennessee through service that went well beyond what was expected of his position.

After nearly 40 years of service to the University of Tennessee Extension, Ron is eligible for retirement and could have easily slipped into retirement. Instead he entered into a new and final chapter of his career as the first Director of STEM Education at Lone Oaks Farm in August of 2017.

As Director of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education at Lone Oak Farm, Ron and his team work with thousands of students each year, introducing them to hands-on outdoor experiences and learning.

“Our stem program is designed to take the concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math learned in the classroom and then demonstrate real world applications using agriculture and natural resources as our canvas,” says Blair. “I believe students retain and comprehend what they learn in the classroom when they can see and use those concepts in real life experiences.”

Through these STEM programs, Ron and his staff are teaching kids love and conserve the land of Tennessee and inspiring future biologists, farmers, natural resource professionals, and advocates for outdoor recreation and our public lands.

Hear an interview with Ron Blair on Tennessee Home and Farm Radio

More information about the STEM program at Lone Oaks Farm can be found at https://www.loneoaksfarm.com/stem/

Get to Know Lone Oaks: Meet Gail Marcum

February 5, 2018

Gail is an integral part of the Lone Oaks Farm team. She has worked at the Farm for over 8 years and 2 of those years with the University of Tennessee.

She manages the invoicing, collections, bill paying, and payroll. As Accounting Coordinator, it is up to her to make sure that all of the financial activities at Lone Oaks Farm are running smoothly. With the work that Gail does, we are able to keep Lone Oaks Farm working well and keep our master plan on track.

Gail loves working at Lone Oaks Farm. She enjoys experiencing the beauty of the land and the family feeling of the work environment.

Lone Oaks Farm is a beautiful place. Driving through the gate every morning…just the scenery is so relaxing. A great start to every work day. I love the family atmosphere that we have at Lone Oaks Farm. We aren’t just people working at the same location. We are all part of a team. Everyone here wants to see Lone Oaks Farm grow and succeed, and each and every one of us plays an important part in that success.”

How She Started at the Farm

Gail started working at Lone Oaks Farm with the original owners in September of 2007. She trained with owner Kathy Ledbetter to take over the cattle records for the Angus cattle operation.

As the first sale drew nearer, Gail’s responsibilities grew to helping with the catalog production and proofing and the billing and bookkeeping for the sale. The first inaugural Angus female production sale was held in April of 2009.

Before working at the Farm, Gail worked in the public-school system for over 10 years. She loved working with children and leaving that job was a hard decision.

Coming to Lone Oaks Farm pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me to stretch myself beyond what I had decided was my full potential. I am so glad I did.”

When Lone Oaks Farm became part of the University of Tennessee, Gail was hired as a part-time bookkeeper. In April of 2016, her position became full time. We’re happy to have her!

About Gail

Gail is an avid gardener who loves flowers. She spends a lot of her time designing and working in her flowerbeds. She also enjoys reading, though she admits that life sometimes gets a bit too busy for her to enjoy either hobby.

Her favorite outdoor recreation activity is fishing. If she could, she would stay on the banks of a river fishing all day, whether the fish are biting or not. A bucket list item for her is to fish from a boat someday.

The next time you visit the Farm, we hope you’ll stop in to say hello to Gail!

Get Stronger

August 28, 2017

Lone Oaks assembles team to evaluate new leadership opportunities and a look at one of those special team members

Lone Oaks Farm is a place where learning happens, and leadership is a big part of that.

In July, we convened about a dozen leadership consultants, teachers, and trainers at the Farm to brainstorm, collaborate, and network. Together, these folks and others will offer visitors to Lone Oaks several unique and impactful leadership development programs. Whether it’s a guided tour of nearby Shiloh National Battlefield, an outdoor survival simulation, outdoor teambuilding activities, or classroom instruction, we want to offer world-class leadership development opportunities at the Farm.

One member of our team is Dr. Jim Cook. Jim is the founder of the Cook Group and JABC Educational Services, and today serves as the company’s vice president and chief executive officer. Jim is a talented visionary who has blazed trails as an educator, motivator, public speaker and experienced business consultant. His career spans more than two decades. He formed the Cook Group after serving meritoriously for 22 years in the United States Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Jim’s forte is problem solving and people building. He has experience problem solving at the toughest levels in business. Some of his greatest challenges in both the private and public sector has been in serving top executives. On the public side of the ledger, Cook earned his spurs while serving as a nuclear commander in Europe, as the cold war ended. His ability to get the maximum out of the minimum keeps him in high demand. He has enjoyed successful working relationships, with the Department of Defense,
numerous state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, educational and nonprofit organizations.

With a passion for getting the most out of people and a specialized skill for getting corporations and organizations to be innovative, Jim has helped countless executives think through their futures – beyond obstacles and setbacks. He has developed a keen sense for what works, as well as how to make it work and that characteristics has rub off on everyone who works for the Group. It is why the company delivers.

Cook currently lives in Pleasant Valley, Mississippi. He has earned undergraduate degrees in biology and education; advanced degrees in organizational behavior, management and theology, and education.

A devoted family man, he and his wife of 41 years, Diane, who is associated with the Cook Group, have two grown sons and 1 grand daughter, Sophia.

How She Started at the Farm

About Gail

Lone Oaks assembles team to evaluate new leadership opportunities and a look at one of those special team members

The University of Tennessee

Lone Oaks Farm

Keep In Touch