The new location for the University of Illinois Extension's McLean County Office includes a fully equipped kitchen for food and nutrition classes. (Carrie Muehling/WJBC)

By Carrie Muehling

BLOOMINGTON – The staff of the University of Illinois Extension in McLean County is enjoying more space in a larger office located at 1615 Commerce Parkway in Bloomington.

“We are back in full swing. Everything is going in full force, if not more, because we have more accessible space to use,” said Bobbie Lewis-Sibley, county director for the U of I Extension in Livingston, McLean and Woodford counties.

The office reopened Jan. 5 and staff looks forward to using new amenities including a fully-equipped kitchen for food and nutrition classes taught by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Jenna Smith.

“She will actually be able to do food demonstrations and everything right inside the kitchen,” said Lewis-Sibley.

The kitchen can also be used for 4-H Food Demonstration competitions. Another change will benefit those who use the Master Gardener plant clinic beginning this spring.

“They’ve never had their own door. So now, this next growing season when they have operation hours for plant clinic, the public can go right to their door and go in and be assisted by them and not have to come through the reception and everything at the front,” said Lewis-Sibley.

The upcoming Master Gardener training class is the largest ever for McLean County with more than 30 trainees enrolled. Lewis-Sibley said the Extension staff can offer even more activities than before because of more accessible space. Otherwise, the public should notice little change.

“I think the only thing different is them driving to a different building after 35 years. I think that might be the hardest thing for them to do,” said Lewis-Sibley with a smile.

The University of Illinois Extension also has area offices located in Pontiac and Eureka.

Carrie Muehling can be reached at [email protected].