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UT alumni Charles (UT Martin ’60, UT Knoxville ‘62) and Joyce (UT Martin ‘60) McBride are the sixth-generation owners of McBride Farm in Lexington, Tennessee, and the proud owners of the 46th mural in the campaign.
“We both were raised on the farm, we still live on the farm and we farmed it until we retired,” said Charles McBride.
Along with farming, Charles taught high school agriculture for 39 years. Joyce taught elementary school and retired after 34 years.
“Being educators, we promote education beyond high school as much as possible,” said Joyce McBride.
For the McBrides, UT is a family tradition.
“Our three daughters, sons-in-law, four of our five grandchildren and we’re graduates of the UT System,” said Joyce McBride.
“What I studied about agriculture at UT is what I’ve always practiced and what I’ve always done,” said Charles McBride. “And that has really been an asset to me in crop production, animal production and ag engineering.”
Joyce and Charles McBride read about the campaign in The Cooperator, a Tennessee farming magazine, when family friend Keith Fowler (Martin ’85), was featured for the mural on his grain bin.
Mural 46 on the McBride’s barn is a 60-foot-wide showcase on the 375-acre Century Farm. The mural was completed in November 2023 and is visible from Tennessee State Route 22 to more than 2,800 passerby a day.
Click Images Below to Enlarge and Download
4445 TN-22
Lexington, TN 38351
Troy Freeman started his mural painting career while still in high school, painting mascots for his and area schools before advancing to sign painting work for local farmers and then founding his own business.
Free Sky Studios, Inc. is a Springfield, Illinois, based professional mural and sign painting business providing commercial and residential clients with a professional source for quality, creative work. With more than 20 years of experience, Troy focuses on delivering quality service marked with exceptional talent and professionalism in every project.
From a 65-foot corn cob to 4-story Frank Lloyd Wright tribute mural, Troy has the experience and expertise to tackle any location we envision.
Troy Freeman
Owner and Lead Artist
Free Sky Studios, Inc.
217-544-8634
info@freeskystudios.com
freeskystudios.com
Explore the University of Tennessee System.
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