Published: June 01, 2009 11:27 pm         

Marshall business helping Terre Haute Children’s Museum’s farming exhibit grow

An area manufacturing firm will provide several pieces of material handling equipment to give young visitors to the new Terre Haute Children’s Museum’s agriculture exhibit a hands-on experience with farming.

Larry Yargus, president of Yargus Manufacturing Inc. in Marshall, Ill., said his company will be developing and building a conveyor and three small augers for the exhibit.

“We’ll be putting in a conveyor that the kids can operate with a hand crank to show how grain is moved as a part of the process on the farm,” Yargus said. “Also we’re looking at donating three small auger systems that can be operated by the kids to carry soybeans or corn or plastic pellets.”

The museum’s agriculture exhibit, sponsored by a $150,000 donation from the Vigo County Farm Bureau, was announced in April. Yargus Manufacturing is still developing the equipment it will donate, and no dollar value has yet been placed on the donation.

“This material donation will represent a tremendous addition to the value of the development of this outstanding agriculture exhibit,” said Children’s Museum executive director Scott Williams. “We so appreciate Yargus stepping up in support of the museum. This major donation of support from beyond Vigo County reinforces our desire to make the Terre Haute Children’s Museum a facility of which the entire Wabash Valley can be proud.”

Yargus explained that even though the museum is not in Marshall, it is still very important for all the communities in the region.

“This is something that is a great asset for the area,” he said. “It’s good for Marshall, because the schools will save money on field trips with this facility being so close. Our elementary principals are very much in favor of it. And it’s another positive development for downtown Terre Haute, which is good for the whole Wabash Valley. I’m very enthused about it.”

Yargus also said, “You have to ‘give back,’ and we’re happy to be able to do that with this donation. Besides, how can you say ‘no’ to the Children’s Museum?”

The new museum is expected to open this fall.