HOULTON, Maine — A new location for the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension may result in improved services and educational workshops in the near future.
Guests were treated to a tour of the new classroom and offices for the extension. According to Mari Glater, 4-H youth development professional at UMaine’s Cooperative Extension, the group exists because of a three-way partnership between the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture, the state of Maine through the University of Maine, and local government through the county of Aroostook.
Previously housed on the third floor of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension Aroostook County, Houlton office, is located at the Houlton Higher Education Center at 18 Military St. An open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday evening at the HHEC.
“It is an honor to be here today, representing the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension, and to welcome you to our new location in southern Aroostook,” said Glater. “On behalf of the Houlton extension staff, I would like to extend a special thank you to Tracy, Ben, Jean and all of the staff and students who call Houlton Higher Education Center home. You have truly welcomed us warmly with enthusiasm and support and made our transition a smooth and joyful one.”
A history of the 4-H program can be found in the classroom of the new University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension office at the Houlton Higher Education Center.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
The Cooperative Extension employees bring University research to homes, businesses and farms throughout every corner of Aroostook, Glatter said.This effort happens through the internationally attended Maine Potato Conference, the Integrated Pest Management Program, Livestock Seminars, onsite farm visits, field days and plot trials to name a few.
“The 4-H program and its positive youth development clubs, after-school STEM programs, and educational clinics all operate as part of Cooperative Extension,” Glatter said. “Extension Homemaker groups are active throughout the County donating over 5,000 community volunteer hours each year.”
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, in its 50th year, teaches children and adults how to prepare healthy recipes on a budget, how to be more active and how to prevent food-borne illnesses. Master Gardeners provide horticultural knowledge to school and community gardens and local homeowners.
The addition of UMaine’s Cooperative Extension to the HHEC means that the facility is capable of delivering education and learning for the entire human lifespan, Glatter said. The EFNEP program begins nutrition education even during pregnancy. The 4-H program has a positive youth development as it reaches children from ages 5-18.
The Houlton and Hodgdon Adult and Community Education, NMCC, UMPI, UMA, and UMaine’s Cooperative Extension will be able to collaboratively provide classes for teen and adult learners.
“Virtually any topic that you could wish to explore, or help youth to learn, can be discovered by walking through those doors,” she said.
