The Children's Discovery Museum in Normal has received a $500,000 gift that goes a long way toward helping to pay for its planned agriculture exhibit.
Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative in Bloomington, is making the donation for the exhibit “From the Farm to a Healthy Me."
The exhibit is intended to give children hands-on experiences in various aspects of farming and nutrition. It will enable them to role-play as farmers, grocers and chefs. The exhibit will include an Ag Lab that uses STEM to demonstrate agronomy, weather and soil. It also will feature a grocery store and food truck and drone simulations.
“This exhibit helps connect consumers with where their food comes from and fosters greater awareness and appreciation,” said Jase Wagner, president and CEO of Compeer Financial.
Beth Whisman, executive director of the Town of Normal Cultural Arts and Children’s Discovery Museum, said the fundraising campaign is about $150,000 shy of its goal for the $2.8 million project that also benefited from a museum record $1 million gift from the McLean County Farm Bureau.
Whisman said some work on the new exhibit has begun, adding Compeer recently hosted its employees for a play night at the museum.
“It was a fantastic experience telling the adults all about our big plans while their kids played in the current exhibit, demonstrating how fun ag can be,” Whisman said.
The exhibit is scheduled to open early next year.
