LAFOLLETTE – The Sharp-Hunter Farm, a family legacy dating back to 1841, became the canvas for the latest Everywhere You Look, UT mural in Campbell County.
When approached about adding the UT emblem to a barn on their property, co-owners and UT alumnae—mother Billie Sue Barton Hunter (Knoxville ’58, ’85), and daughters Mary Hunter Hinson (Knoxville ’84) and Karen Hunter-Lowery (Knoxville ’83)— knew it was something they were excited to do, Karen Hunter-Lowery said.
“My great-great-great grandfather, Laban Sharp, who originally owned the farm, is given credit for a lot of the early industry in LaFollette,” Hunter-Lowery said. “And this farm was given to my great grandfather, ‘Colonel Bob’ Sharp 184 years ago. Mom, Mary and I are fourth-generation owners and proud to be UT grads. I think it just kind of makes sense to show our Vols pride with this mural.”
This 17-foot-tall by 70-foot-widemural, located off Highway 63, marks number 70 in the campaign and will be seen by an estimated 14,400 drivers each day. The campaign aims to place a mural in all 95 Tennessee counties by 2030.
The barn, which is used for hay storage, is a lasting part of a once-busy family farm. When the sisters wanted to have someone outside of the family rear cattle on the property, they sought help from their local UT Extension office.
“I remember when we were first looking to have somebody put cattle on the farm,” Hunter-Lowery said. “We talked to Extension Agent Steve Edwards, who provided them with a lease template, and told us what to charge. Steve has provided updates and recommendations through the years. I wouldn’t know any of that, even though my family has been farm owners for generations. The current generation of owners have never farmed, so I appreciate guidance from the Extension office on farm-related matters. Steve and his brothers worked with my dad, so we know we are in good hands.”
UT Extension also has helped the Sharp-Hunter Farm with other conservation and improvement projects as the family maintains the land they have held for over 200 years.
“We needed some work on the farm from a soil conservation standpoint,” she said. “We knew to go to Steve. He gave us information on how to get the soil tested, and we currently have projects happening on the front side and back side of the farm where we got grants through Extension.”
Hunter-Lowery hopes that UT’s latest mural will inspire drivers who pass it to think about the impact of the university that reaches far beyond its campuses.
“Most people know that there is a University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville,” she said. “But UT is not just one campus. It’s in touch with every county across the state — and beyond.”
To Hunter-Lowery, the Everywhere You Look, UT campaign signifies the ways UT gives back all over the state.
“The impact UT has on communities across the state — is not just kids going to one of the five campuses,” she said. “UT is continually looking for ways to give back to counties, cities and towns across the state. At the risk of stating the obvious, the ‘T’ in UT stands for Tennessee, and they’re very invested in Tennessee.”
To learn more about the Everywhere You Look, UT mural in Campbell County or to submit a location for consideration, visit the campaign website.
