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 stay the same (309) 582-5106. Garner said they are planning an open house for later this fall and will announce the schedule once details are finalized.

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