On Sept.9, a meeting between IVCC officials and a representative from the University of Illinois Extension program took place to discuss leasing a space for the extension on the Oglesby campus. By 2014, the Extension hopes to have a space on campus to provide and inform the recently formed district consisting of Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties.

The County Extension Director, Jill Guynn, states that the purpose of the extension is to “provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.”

The extension teaches educational programs in the areas of healthy society, food security and safety, environmental stewardship, sustainable and profitable food production and marketing systems, and enhancing youth, family and community well being; the program currently involves around 2.5 million people and 300-400 people who are involved in 4-H programs.

Jerry Corcoran, president of Illinois Valley Community College, states that this partnership is “a chance for two well respected public institutions to share public facilities and work more closely together for the benefit of our constituents.”