Official Groundbreaking for New Office Space for Monroe County Extension Office

October 06, 2022
Foundation Members from left to right; Margaret Wilkerson, Bob Mitchell, Shirley Ensor, Ethan McNeill and Extension staff member Kathy Hasekamp Foundation Members from left to right; Margaret Wilkerson, Bob Mitchell, Shirley Ensor, Ethan McNeill and Extension staff member Kathy Hasekamp

Monroe Extension Foundation Members--Margaret Wilkerson, Shirley Ensor, Bob Mitchell, Ethan McNeill and Kathy Hasekamp, Extension staff officially broke ground this week on our new office space at 229 N. Washington St. In 2020, we dedicated the land for this future use.

Because of community support through fundraising events, procurement of several grants and with the help of county funding (American Rescue Plan Act) later this month, we will officially begin construction. Once constructed we will be able to host community events, teach classes and offer many expanded Extension programs. In addition to that, and besides housing local staff, the basement will be an optional place to rent for family social gatherings, meeting space for civic groups and much more. There will be a full basement, which will serve as a community storm shelter.

Future fundraising events are scheduled for fall and winter in order to complete our building project. On December 3, 2022 the Foundation will host `Trivia Night' at the 4-H building in Paris. We are also collaborating with Paris chapter of FBLA to host a major fundraising event in Madison at the Community Center on Saturday, January 14, 2023. More details about both events will be shared, watch for flyers, social media posts and more articles or call the Extension office at 660-327-4158.

The Monroe County Extension Foundation is a 501c3 entity founded by members of the Extension Council in 2015 to facilitate the construction of this locally owned Extension center.

Other members of the Extension Council and Foundation directors are: Shelby DeOrnellis, Bill Coleman, Kim Mitchell, Alec Fodge, Tracy Huffman, Hilary Crum, Marilyn O'Bannon, Sarah Secrease and Wendy Beard. Local staff also includes, Carrie Elsen, CES in Nutrition and Health.