FARMINGTON – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Franklin County Office is bursting at the seams and is looking for new long-term housing to meet its growing needs.
The outreach and education arm of the University of Maine, Cooperative Extension provides research based information and educational programming in areas such as health and nutrition, small and home-based business development, agriculture and non-timber forest products, and tourism economic development. Cooperative Extension also administers the 4H program and the Extension Homemakers.
With the need for programming increasing, especially in the area of home food production, and a new program area of tourism economic development in Franklin County, the Extension Office simply cannot meet the demands for programming at their present location at 147 Farmington Falls Road.
According to Extension Professional Dave Fuller the situation is untenable.
“We have two part time staff and two nutrition associates sharing two computers in one office… which also serves as our meeting room and staff kitchen,” says Mr. Fuller. He also stated that he and other staff have materials stored in their garages and porches due to a lack of storage space at their current location.
Extension Educator Marc Edwards, who once carved out office space out of the kitchen, notes that staff are constantly searching for space to facilitate programs and meetings throughout the community as their current location lacks sufficient space.
The Franklin County Extension Association is looking for a new home for Cooperative Extension’s Franklin County Office. According to Association President Harvey Hayden, “We are looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 square feet, ideally within the greater Farmington area.”
The space must also be ADA compliant and have plenty of off-street parking.
We would like to move by July if possible, says a member of the ad hoc Housing Committee. If anyone knows of space available please leave a message at the Extension Office. The number is 778-4650.
