Those stopping in the Menard or Sangamon County Extension office will be greeted by a new face. Melissa Bland has joined University of Illinois Extension as its newest office support assistant. Bland resides in Springfield with her four children and is a 4-H alumna, having participated for ten years in her youth. She is currently enrolled at Lincoln Land Community College as an Office Professional major. Previously, Melissa has been a School Speech Pathologist and Home Educator, and has Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Speech Pathology.

Those in need of assistance can reach Melissa by stopping in the Menard County Extension office at 420 S. 7th St., Petersburg, IL, (inside the Menard County Farm Bureau) or by calling 217-632-7491. The Menard County Extension office is opened Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (closed noon to 1:00 pm for lunch). Melissa will also provide office assistance at the Springfield Extension office at 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield, IL on Thursdays and Fridays and can be reach there at 217-782-4617.  Her email address is mrbland@illinois.edu. The public is also encouraged to visit our website for information at https://extension.illinois.edu/lms.