Sen. Gresham announces $15.9 million approved to purchase Lone Oaks Farm

NASHVILLE -  State Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) has announced the State Building Commission approved the purchase of Lone Oaks Farm in Hardeman County on Monday, July 20.  The 1,200 acres site will be used as the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s 4-H Camp.  The Building Commission’s action comes after the project was approved by the General Assembly, with the support of Gresham, as part of the 2015-2016 budget which took effect July 1.
 “This project will have a tremendous impact on West Tennessee,” said Senator Gresham.  “This farm is a once in a lifetime find and I look forward to seeing how it will be used to advance education in agriculture and other subjects in the future.”
 According to a study conducted by the UT Center for Sustainable Business and Development, the 4-H and Conference Center could contribute $47 million to the region’s economy.  The sale of the property took several years complete and was a priority for the university in this year’s budget.
 UT Extension operates three other 4-H centers across the state in Columbia, Crossville and Greeneville, and 13,000 kids attend programs at these facilities throughout the year. With the establishment of the new center in West Tennessee, the university says more children who have not been able to participate in 4-H programs will now have the opportunity.
 The property includes numerous buildings, improvements, equipment and other personal property that could be used immediately to teach youth about agriculture, natural resources and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-related subjects.