Starting Tuesday, September 3, you can find Mercer County Extension and 4-H in their new location, 910- 13th Street, Viola, Ill (next door to Casey’s in the building formerly used by Verplaste Excavating). County director Jenny Garner said the new office will provide more space, especially for storage of their educational curriculum and supplies. There will be offices for staff, a conference room, small kitchen, copy room, large parking lot and lower level storage. The old office (2106 SE 3rd St., Aledo) will close the week of August 26 for the move and the new office will open after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 3. The office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 am – 4 pm (closed from 12 – 12:30 for lunch) and by appointment. The phone number will change to (309) 871-5032.
The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and open house for the newly relocated Mercer County Extension office on Tuesday, October 22. It will start with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. featuring special guests Illinois House Representative Dan Swanson, Illinois Senator Chuck Weaver, Viola Mayor Kirk Doonan, and Illinois Extension Regional Director Ryan Hobson. An open house will follow from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. where attendees can enjoy refreshments, tour the new office and visit with Extension staff and guests.
University of Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, offering educational programs to residents of all of Illinois' 102 counties — and far beyond. Extension provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Extension’s 4-H positive youth development is the cornerstone to building citizenship, leadership, and life skills. Extension nutrition and wellness and SNAP programs equip people to live healthy lifestyles. Their community development programs provide the blueprint for organization and communities to build a strong economy. Extension agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources are the building blocks to a sustainable planet and a safe food supply for our nation. Find out more about programs and staff at their website: web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs