Hohenewald

At the entrance of Memorial Park’s agriculture pavilion in Hohenwald, a 60-foot-wide mural welcomes residents and visitors alike to a space that embodies community connection and service. Completed in July 2025, the Lewis County mural is the 69th installation in the campaign and the 62nd county to be represented. It’s visible to more than 2,600 vehicles each day and countless parkgoers each month.

The pavilion, a local landmark made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and built with support from UT Extension and the city of Hohenwald, serves as a gathering place for everything from weekly farmers markets and 4-H meetings to weddings and holiday skating events. It’s a fitting home for a mural celebrating UT’s presence and impact across the state.

“This mural is going to be seen by so many people—everybody coming to a ballgame, farmers market, skating during the holidays or just visiting the park,” said Lewis County Mayor Danny McKnight, a UT Martin alumnus. “Once people start asking what it’s about, they’ll find out just how much UT and the UT Extension office really does.”

The effort to bring the mural to Hohenwald was led by Shelly Ray, a Lewis County Extension agent who found her career path through UT Extension as a student intern. Today, she leads programs in health, nutrition, youth development and agriculture — touching lives throughout the county.

“We want the community to know that Extension is more than just 4-H,” Ray said. “We help families with everything from life skill learning to assisting local producers, farmers and landowners. This mural is one way to help people see that.”

The mural not only celebrates the role of UT in rural communities but also reinforces the idea that the university’s work reaches far beyond its campuses—into every corner of the state and every stage of life.

“UT Extension’s work is from the heart,” said McKnight. “People like Shelly make all the difference in a place like Hohenwald.”