To make a lasting impression at the 2022 Memphis International Auto Show, Ford Motor Company and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture revealed a new partnership that will bolster economic development, improve education opportunities, and strengthen conservation efforts throughout the mid-southern United States.
Just after earning the top placement in Just Capital‘s 2022 Industry Leader for Environmental Efforts rankings, Ford is already hard at work building its next manufacturing site – BlueOval City. The site where this very large facility will be based – Haywood Country, Tennessee – is already being prepped for construction as Ford works to bring life and nature to an area that’s been shedding population for decades, all while introducing at least 5,000 jobs.
Now, Ford has announced that it is funding a stream mitigation and restoration site near BlueOval City as it aims to help restore the waters flowing through the Lone Oaks Farm at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
“At Ford, our goal is to create a positive impact on people and the planet,” said Bob Holycross, vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering at Ford. “We’re proud to enter into this innovative partnership with the University of Tennessee that will help restore and protect the streams and wetlands at the Lone Oaks Farm and create educational opportunities that will inspire and benefit future generations. This is just one way we can fulfill our purpose to help build a better world.”
Lone Oaks is quite near Ford’s BlueOval City and is about 45 minutes from Memphis. The site is currently being built into a world-class 1,200 acre 4-H and STEM education center. Right now, education programs at Lone Oaks serve about 5,000 K-12 students each year, but the new facility will allow the program to continue growing and offer overnight STEM programs and camps too.
The large size of Ford’s BlueOval City development means that the company had to invest in a substantial stream restoration project as a way to comply with the Clean Water Act of 1972, which guarantees that any impact on streams and wetlands from development projects have to be offset by restoring and permanently protecting an equivalent amount of habitat somewhere else. So the Lone Oaks project became a win-win for Ford, as the automaker can easily satisfy those requirements while also improving the entire region.
“The vision for Lone Oaks Farm includes introducing young people to agriculture and conservation through STEM education programs. We are extremely excited to partner with Ford and support both their sustainability goals and the University’s and community’s education goals,” says Ben West, director of strategic partnerships with UTIA. “This investment will provide quality, hands-on education programs for students throughout the region for decades to come.”
Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.
