“Instead of the seven full-time Friends of LBL interpreters, the Forest Service plans to cut this number to only two interpreters. They also plan to get rid of most of the animals and crops,” Yasgur said.She said the US Forest Service is actively looking for an organization to manage the Homeplace 1850s. But if such a partnership cannot be found, the US Forest Service plans to close the facility.
“If significant sources of external assistance cannot be found, the Forest Service’s plan is to shut the Homeplace down permanently at the end of 2021,” Yasgur said.
In response, US Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Chris Joyner said:
“Over a period of years we have discussed our budget challenges and its implications with Friends of Land Between the Lakes. In Fiscal Year 2018, our expenses for The Homeplace in Stewart County, Tenn. portion of LBL were $408,626 while revenue was $117,341.”
“We have an obligation to operate in a fiscally responsible manner. We plan to make adjustments in order to remain within our budget. We plan to adjust the number of interpreters at The Homeplace until we can find a new partner to help us manage the facility.”
“We are proposing that special programing such as the Pickin Party, Trades Fair, and Snap Apple continue. These changes will reduce the 2021 deficit by at least 50%. We are looking for a partner that can help us manage the facility consistent with the values of Stewart County, Tenn. and Land Between the Lakes in general.”
“We have already received new partnership interest and we are working to examine the best ways to continue to provide environmental education at The Homeplace.”
On the U.S. Forest Service’s Facebook page, officials said: “Since 2017, we have collaborated with various stakeholders, visitors, community groups, volunteers, residents, key partners, and staff to create together a Sustainability Strategy for Recreation and Environmental Education. Through this strategic planning process, we have identified several opportunities that would benefit from a collaborative partnership. We hope that by clearly defining these opportunities we can find creative and innovative ways to work across boundaries and move forward together. One opportunity for a collaborative partnership is the operation and maintenance of The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm.
“In March 2021, we will adjust some operations of The Homeplace while we seek help from willing partners. We plan to maintain operations at The Homeplace during 2021, including our special events (Pickin’ Party, Trades Fair, Snap Apple, etc.). While we seek out a strategy for partnership, we anticipate operations at The Homeplace to trend towards more museum characteristics and less living history characteristics.”
Yasgur has encouraged the public to contact the U.S. Forest Service at https://www.facebook.com/LBLNatlRecArea
