In the United States as in most countries, grain is a staple food and a critical part of our diet. Grain must be harvested at its full maturity then cared for and stored in precise conditions so as not to spoil this important commodity. It can be a complex and detailed process but, when managed properly, can lead to extraordinary results with far-reaching benefits. There are obvious analogies we can tie to grain harvesting and the importance of education. Just like grain, we want to help ensure all students (our most valued commodity) are given the proper care and precise support they need to succeed in achieving their dreams.
Today, grain and education were woven together for our latest “Everywhere you look, UT” mural. A 65-foot-tall grain bin located just seven miles from UT Martin in Sharon, Tennessee, served as the latest canvas for an advertising campaign aimed at educating Tennesseans on the significant impact the University of Tennessee has across the state. The grain bin is owned by Robinson & Belew, Inc., a family-run business founded in 1950 that ships corn, soybeans and wheat around the world.
Keith Fowler, president of Robinson & Belew, and his wife Linda Robinson Fowler, are both proud 1985 graduates of UT Martin. The Robinson and Fowler families have long-standing ties to UT that span several generations of family members. To learn more about the Fowlers, or the Robinson & Belew company, please visit everywhere.tennessee.edu/murals.
The Robinson & Belew grain bin is the second installment of the UT System statewide marketing campaign. Preliminary estimates indicate that this mural could be seen by as many as 1.9 million people a year! In August 2018, the inaugural mural was painted on a water tower in the heart of downtown Knoxville.
Since I began leading UT in November, I have realized the profound impact we have across our great state. I realized everywhere you look, there’s UT! Having murals strategically placed across the state will reinforce that message. People will see our murals and realize, “you know they’re right. Everywhere you look, I do see UT.”
And, we are continuing to look for high-visibility properties for future mural campaigns. If you have a recommendation for properties along Tennessee interstates, highways and waterways, or nestled in the center of town, please visit everywhere.tennessee.edu/murals/campaign.
Tags: Agriculture, Education