LEXINGTON, Ky. – A professional musician and artist who knows first-hand about farming has created a mural depicting the history of agriculture in Kentucky.

The recently unveiled painting celebrates the past, present and future of agriculture in the state and the University of Kentucky’s contributions to the industry.

Josh Mitcham, 42, spent about a month painting the mural on the agronomy field laboratory building at UK’s North Farm outside Lexington.

Images include a draft horse pulling a plow, an agriculture scientist using a microscope and a man operating a drone. The mural is titled “Honoring Kentucky’s Agricultural Excellence.”

There’s also a picture of a race horse for a state famous for the Kentucky Derby and highly regarded on breeding practices that produce top quality race and show horses. Also included are images of Mitcham’s father operating an International Harvester tractor to further illustrate the deep roots of farming in the Bluegrass State.

“This is the first thing you see when you come into the farm, and it’s a good visual landmark,” he said.

Mitcham, a former high school agriculture teacher, believes the 30-foot-long mural is more of an instructional tool than a piece of eye candy. He said the mural can serve as a springboard to further classroom study of what’s portrayed in the painting.

“It’s art that gives an opportunity for visitors coming on to the site a starting point to have discussions based on what’s in the mural,” he said.

Matthew Allen, a senior lab technician in weed science at the research farm, said the mural’s images of solar panels to project the budding use of renewable energy in agriculture can help usher in the future, perhaps, a little quicker.

“This modern art on an older building is capable of sparking new ideas for research and conversation about the future of Kentucky agriculture,” he said.

Another image depicts an African American college professor standing in front of his agriculture students.

Mitcham said two years of planning went into the mural, which took about a month to complete.

There was also a lot of talk on what should be portrayed in the mural to make sure it was culturally balanced and reflected a positive image for the university.

“It is our hope that his mural helps to create a sense of connectivity and inclusivity between all people in the UK community by highlighting the importance of diversity to our agriculture heritage,” Allen said.

Allen said he also wants people arriving at the farm for the first time to look at the mural and “feel as if they can really see themselves growing here.”

The mural was made possible by a Sustainability Challenge Grant and the combined efforts of the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment and the Office of Sustainability, according to university officials.

Officials said funding for the mural was also provided by the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Mitcham was raised on a small farm in Webster about a half hour drive from the Ohio River in the west central part of the state. He spent time on his grandfather’s small farm after school, on weekends and during the summer.

“I would help my grandfather, whether it was fencing or cattle or working hay or a crop,” he said.

Two years ago, Mitcham purchased his grandfather’s 140-acre farm and leases it to a farmer who previously leased the ground. His father is still active on his 120-acre farm.

“We’re right back where we started. We’re trying to keep it all together,” he said. 

After graduating from Western Kentucky University, Mitcham was a high school agriculture instructor for 15-years. He then spent the next five-years as a professional musician.

He’s worked for the past three years for the Kentucky Department of Education as director of the FFA day camp.

Mitcham said about 2,000 mostly FFA kids from almost every county in the state come to the 100-acre camp every summer.

His talent in music and art came naturally but he honed his skills enough to make a few records good enough to receive some air play on the radio and paint other murals mostly for municipalities.

He holds the mural about the history of farming closest to his heart. “That was our goal to make it pretty diverse. I’m pretty proud of it.  It makes the property look more appealing,” Mitcham said.