Tayshaun Prince returned to Kentucky on Tuesday to help raise the curtain on a new agriculture display at The Explorium of Lexington.
The former University of Kentucky men's basketball star joined Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, Explorium executive director Lee Ellen Martin, and Kentucky Department of Agriculture officials to unveil the Farm To Market exhibit, which is designed to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in the everyday lives of all Kentuckians.
"Tayshaun never stops giving back to the people of Kentucky," Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. "He generously took the time to help raise funds for this exhibit and then came back to help open it. Tayshaun understands that we have a responsibility to teach our children about where their food comes from and to eat fresh, nutritious foods as part of a healthful lifestyle."
Prince lent his name and likeness to a special label of Elk Creek wines to help raise money for the project in 2012.
"I am honored to play a role in opening this exhibit," Prince said. "This exhibit should help reinforce the importance of nutritional eating with our young people and the importance of agriculture in Kentucky."
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, based in Lexington, also provided funds.
"Orange Leaf is excited to partner with Tayshaun, Kentucky Proud and the Explorium on this project," said Orange Leaf co-owner Jeremiah Sizemore. "We have enjoyed supporting local farms by using Udderly Kentucky milk this past year, and we hope this exhibit will help encourage and educate the next generation of farmers and consumers."
The exhibit includes Kentucky Proud signage, a milkable fiberglass cow, a chicken coop, and a simulated garden and farmers' market.
"The Explorium is delighted to have our new Farm To Market exhibit teaching children about farming and the economics of the agriculture industry," Martin said. "The Explorium is about fun and learning, and we have no doubt that they will love milking the cow, harvesting and selling their vegetables, and gathering eggs in the barn. Many children have no concept of how food gets to the market. It is our hope that we can spark interest in becoming a farmer as well as encouraging children to make healthy eating choices."
The Explorium provides a fun and dynamic hands-on learning environment that inspires imagination and curiosity. Founded in 1987 as the Lexington Children's Museum, the Explorium averages 70,000 visitors annually and serves an additional 10,000 people with outreach activities in the Lexington community.
Prince has served as the celebrity spokesperson for the department's Eat To Win campaign, which encourages K-12 students across the Commonwealth to incorporate more locally grown fruits and vegetables into their diets. Prince will enter his 13th season in the National Basketball Association this fall as a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. He led the Detroit Pistons to the NBA championship in the 2003-2004 season.